Firearm Misconception

This picture illustrates well the classic human difficulty properly framing dramatic, but rare, events. For example, public perception is that airplane crashes kill more than car accidents, when the reverse is true by a vast margin. Similarly, crowd shootings are very uncommon relative to criminally motivated ones, and both are dwarfed individual unwarranted shootings or accidental ones. Please don't misunderstand me: I am not in favor of outlawing firearms; I own several myself and consider an outright ban to be essentially unenforceable in any event. I am, however, very much a proponent of reasonable requirements both on who is allowed to legally obtain them and also the training and equipment they must have in order to be able to do so safely. This is especially true if your intent is defense, for reacting appropriately in a stressful situation, especially in a crowded area, is far harder than sporting firearm use. Well intentioned incompetents are not a boon when firearms are involved.