Under order from President Obama (not a pro gun guy) the CDC researched gun violence. The report stated:
"Defensive use of guns by crime victims is a common occurrence, although the exact number remains disputed (Cook and Ludwig, 1996; Kleck, 2001a). Almost all national survey estimates indicate that defensive gun uses by victims are at least as common as offensive uses by criminals, with estimates of annual uses ranging from about 500,000 to more than 3 million (Kleck, 2001a), in the context of about 300,000 violent crimes involving firearms in 2008 (BJS, 2010). On the other hand, some scholars point to a radically lower estimate of only 108,000 annual defensive uses based on the National Crime Victimization Survey (Cook et al., 1997). "
Even if you use the low number of 100K annual defensive use, that is more then enough to prove that defensive gun use is far from a "myth".
Additionally here are some personal stories:
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/true-stories-november-december-2019/
"A Chicago man was leaving home with his son when he was accosted by an armed stranger who began threatening the pair with violence. Fearing for the safety of his child, the man pushed his son behind him and turned to face the threat. The stranger, seeing this defensive action as intimidation, increased his aggressive behavior, then fired on the father and son. The father promptly drew his legally carried pistol and returned fire, hitting his attacker several times and ending the event. Responding police are investigating the incident as a self-defense shooting by the father, and the assailant turned out to be a gang member who had threatened other people that day."
"A Jacksonville woman living in a quiet neighborhood was forced to defend herself and her two children when the estranged father of her two kids broke into her home around midnight. The 25-year-old woman had an active restraining order in place against the man for the past several months, during which time he had threatened to kill her. Fearing for her safety when he forced his way into the home, the woman shot him several times and then called police."
I was raised in the country and have used guns to put food on the table and protect livestock. Growing up guns were treated like the chainsaw, tractor or any number of other tools. Yes they were dangerous to use and you had to respect them but each had their function.
On top of that I do believe self defense is a human right or if you believe in God then a God given right, Exodus 22:2-3 “If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is struck and killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty of murder."
The 2nd Amendment of the Constitution protects that right from Government infringement.
I own and shoot multiple guns today, including a reproduction 1860 Springfield and an original Navy Colt produced in 1863 (that one I dont shoot).
Still living out in the country where Police response time can be lengthy, the knowledge that I have the tools I need to defend myself and family brings me comfort.
