At the risk of provoking lengthy, bitter arguments...I must still answer the questions asked and points made.
NO, I (speaking for me personally) don't feel unsafe in the United States:
** I do all I can to avoid the notorious "Gun Free Zones," which should be re-designated "Risk-Free Target Zones," because that's where the crazies go to make their splash with high body counts before anyone can stop them.
======>>>> The single most important step available to reduce "active mass murderer" events is to BAN GFZs. Over 98.5% of all deaths due to "active mass murderers" occur in GFZs!!!
======>>>> Do the math, folks. NOTHING on the gun control agenda would reduce deaths by active mass murders nearly as much as banning GFZ. So, if you really care about protecting people...ban GFZs.
** When I do go out in public -- completely legally, of course, at all times -- I am appropriately and well-armed. I can and will defend myself, should the need ever arise. I will also defend others, if need arises. I can and will stop the threat.
** We make it a point to avoid travelling to/through states that do not recognize our concealed weapons permits.
** We make it a point to NEVER travel to obvious dangerous spots -- which does shift over time. These currently include all of Chicago and Baltimore, some parts of NYC and Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta. In the past (1980s) Washington, DC was on our "do not visit" list -- though I did work in the District during that period, it was during the crack cocaine-caused epidemic of violence, and we only visited the District for fun during daylight hours, and never outside the National Mall areas. NYC once was a "do not visit," until Giuliani cleaned it up. Now that de Blasio is letting crime take over NYC once more, it is getting close to being back on our DNV list.
Do I sound paranoid? Actually, I'm not. I'm extremely relaxed -- because I'm extremely prepared. I will also note that none of my weapons have ever left their holster outside of my home, except for competitions or practice drills, over ten years of legal concealed carry. Few ever know that I have a weapon with me. Going back to my first firearm purchase in 1980, I have NEVER had to draw or point a firearm -- primarily because I am very careful where/when I go places.
Of course, occasionally we MUST travel to locations in which we cannot legally carry -- and we scrupulously obey even the bad laws in such matters. We do prepare ourselves to respond to any threats that may arise, with the maximum, legally-permitted responses available. I won't say exactly what that entails, as it varies so widely among states, counties, cities and towns. But we prepare ourselves as far as we are legally permitted to do so. In New York City, for example, pepper spray (in certain concentrations) is completely legal to carry and use for self-defense.
=====>> Of course...in the US as in the DR...the criminals will continue to use illegally-obtained weapons in spite of any gun laws -- Chicago and Baltimore certainly prove that. As does the recent shooting of the baseball player in the DR.
=====>>>> To the extent that actual terrorists "may" be unable to obtain firearms -- and if you know anything about terror attacks since 9/11, you know they don't -- the focus will simply shift toward other weapons, be that knives or trucks or poison or chemical or whatever. And since the general, law-abiding public will be disarmed, those attacks may actually become MORE lethal...as the last several years in Europe have proven.
Our desire to live (snowbird) in the DR does present a quandary, due to the difficulties involved with obtaining and owning firearms legally in the DR. We will comply with all laws. Should the DR eventually succeed in banning all firearms from private, legal hands, we'll comply, but watch events closely. At the point we see the safety trends have gone negative...we'll first avoid the major risk cities/areas, and if necessary, cease visiting the DR. It's just that easy.
====>>>>> Again, please note that the number of illegal firearms in in the hands of criminals in the DR will not diminish in that scenario, so don't expect "gun violence" to go down.
=====>>>>> I have deployed to combat zones, and have a child who has deployed to combat zones. I worry about that risk far, far less than I worry about the risk of GFZs. If I had a child in college today, I'd advise him/her to choose a state where college students ARE permitted to arm themselves, legally, for self-defense.
To repeat...the single most-effective measure to be taken against crazies and criminals...is repealing federal and state laws requiring Gun Free Zones...with the exception of secure areas inside courts, airports, planes, and a few more.
ExpatRusher
