Ah! Now I see, you do want to arm the population with guns as a means of self defence.

//I (Is Mise) firmly believe that everyone has the right to the best means of self-defence and that is usually a pistol.//

"Everyone" does that include infants, children, criminals, the mentally deranged, the blind, etc etc.

The meaning of the word everyone; every person.

If you feel it is not appropriate for say, criminals and infants to defend themselves with guns. Then how do you suggest they defend themselves?

Being a man of knowledge, could you give us your estimate of what percentage of the adult population, arbitrarily those over 18, that it would be appropriate for them to carry a loaded pistol as their best means of self-defence?

Paul,

"Ah! Now I see, you do want to arm the population with guns as a means of self defence."

No I don't.

Issy, stop your wriggling, please estimate what percentage of the adult population you believe would be best served by carrying a loaded pistol as their means of self-defence.

//I (Is Mise) firmly believe that everyone has the right to the best means of self-defence and that is usually a pistol.//

Paul,

As usual you do not read what people say but jump in with your own wrong interpretation, or what you desire them to say.

I never said that everyone should have a pistol but that they have a right to the best means of self-defence, usually a pistol.

There is a vast difference between having a right to something and having possession of it.

//There is a vast difference between having a right to something and having possession of it.//

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgp9MPLEAqA

There we go, Judith's got it sorted: we agree that people can't have guns, but that they can have the right to have guns. It's symbolic.

I guess it does depend on personal interests and
abilities - doesn't it?

Personally, with guns - I'd be terrified to use one.
The noise for a start would scare me. Then I wouldn't
know how to shoot. Also there's the regular cleaning
of weapons and the handling of ammunition and chores
associated with cleaning that I'd find tiresome. Learning
how to shoot straight - and keeping the gun in a safe place
are other considerations that need to be taken into account.
Plus the fact that I could kill another human being - would
be of great concern to me.

I'd prefer learning some form of martial arts instead.
It would help keep me in shape, improve my mood, and give
me an excuse to go for a swim or a sauna/spa afterwards.
(hard work - martial arts).

That's just my opinion.