It's a powerful illusion that a gun makes you safer. Millions accept the alluringly simple logic that if the "bad guy" has a gun, the only option is to have one as well. But are the chances that one will successfully use a firearm to ward off a violent intruder greater than the chances of a tragic accident? And even if one confronts a violent intruder, what if things don't work out like they are supposed to?
The tragic story below is from the Houston Chronicle, dated today (July 5, 2014). I saw the story on the front page of the Local section in the print edition, but as of this evening it was not on the chron.com front page.
Man Killed in Struggle with Burglary Suspect
HOUSTON (AP) — Authorities say a man has died after being shot with his own gun while struggling with a burglary suspect he confronted outside the garage of his Harris County home.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office says when deputies arrived early Friday morning they found 69-year-old Donald Frazier dead in the garage.
Authorities say Frazier and his wife were awakened when their backup generator started running. Frazier then noticed entry door to their garage was open and investigated, confronting the man on the patio.
Yes, the 2nd Amendment plus McDonald v Chicago gives you the right to have a firearm in your house, but is that right better observed in the breach than the observance?