My best response sirduke to this set of situations, your past senerios, and future is; situational awareness, eyes open aware, avoid the problem all together if possible. Now here is a question for you, why do you assume that most people on this forum do not know the basics of defending themselves or family? I have only been carrying concealed for a year and a half now and I am not aLEO. I have spent twice as much money on classes than I spent to buy my revolver. I have family in law enforcement both in the USA and in Peru who have helped to train and educate me. Nobody I have talked with thinks a gun will be a magic fix.