But that's not going to happen and you know it. Someone that's resorting to robbing a convenience store is not normally doing a risk assessment analysis in his desperation for cash. That's a pipe dream.

So why doesn't he rob a bank? More money there than any convenience store. Wouldn't you say banks employ a hire level of deterrent?

Not necessarily true - the average take for a west coast bank robbery is under $1k and that shit is federal.

i'm going to weigh the pros & cons of this issue over the weekend and discuss it with some gun owning friends and family whose opinions i value.

re: such an important issue, i don't feel i should have a hair trigger (hardy har har!) on making such a decision.

I'm not completely against firearm ownership, but I am happy to be living where I don't feel the need to own one personally.

Carry on... :)