I grew up in an extended family of "Irish Law enforcement Officers" and the sight of guns within our family was common as was an understanding by osmosis of "bad folks" and where they may be found in abundance. ("Innocence lost")! I also beacame aware of such things (in the home) as blackjacks, sapps, brass knuckles and clubs used for enforcement purposes or taken from the bad guys. With one exception I never touched these devices mostly in fear of the quick physicaql punishment that would be forthcomming.

After I married my father strongly suggested I never keep a gun in the house primarily because I understood he felt one day my wife might shoot me with it. (related I guess to his familiarity with this event) Today I have four weapons in the house none so far used to cause me harm

There have been several times when I armed myself because of threats but did not have to fire them.

Some general observations about bad guys and where they may be found.
It is obvious for several reasons priests and youth ministers must be closely examined for homosexual or pedofile tendencies.

Scout Masters, Coaches and any of the usually most respected and above suspicion individuals who are closely in touch with children must be carefully selected as would be any of those adults having an UNUSUAL interest in kids. .

During my formative years the Scout Master and assistant Scout Master were arrested for crimes against children.

The school Policeman was also arrested and sent to prison on the same charges.

A female gym teacher was investigated in respect to possible sex with male students and left the school.

In high school the Band Director was an overt Homosexual (never the less fondly treated by the students) and he used to party with some of those in his class during involving wild drinking bouts. (He later committed suicide by leaping from a hotel window.

Back to guns: As one grows older (and a target for holdups) and loses the ability to defend ones self it is comforting to bear and know how to use the weapon. Until recently one could not carry without a license except when traveling. Today it is easy to obtain such license and is INO a deterent to assults.

When I traveled on business I always "carried" and slept in motels with it handy. On one occasion in Houston I had to threaten to fire thriough my hotel door (because it was being broken into) to stop the incurson.

The right to bear arms is a direct constitutional (without question) law in Texas. IMO a good one !