I have twice personnaly been in situations were I thought I was going to have to use a gun. Both times the fact that I had a gun was the only reason things cooled down, and didn't escalate. I also feel very strongly about concealed carry. I go out of my way to avoid all conflicts, but I refuse to be an unarmed victim. 7 years ago my uncle was shot during a robbery at his store 300 yards from my house, and died later. Shot by a 16 yr old kid wanting drug money. The drug epidemic is requiring us to take stronger protective avenues. Like they say "when seconds count, cops are minutes away".
"I have not failed, I have only found 10,000 ways that won't work" Thomas Edison
