Originally Posted by crisis

The question is well put though. If someone spat on one of my kids I would feel a burning desire to hit them. But if there were 5 of them? I would have to concede that I could do little to respond. If I had a gun however I may feel a sense of elevated security and react in a manner that escalated the situation . If I confronted the person who initiated the situation no doubt the others may by weight of numbers come to his defence. Then I produce the weapon then we are presented with a possible gun fight over someone spitting on someone. Before you jump to tell me you would do this or that the point is about what people would do generally. There will be a range of reactions no doubt from the hot heads who consider everyone else expendable scum to those who are in full control of their emotions and can rationalise in an instant the situation
It is an example of where otherwise safe gun owners could be pushed into a situation that they may regret or into a situation where people are harmed for the most trivial reason .