“The major function of guns is to deter the use of force.”
In the hands of the law-abiding, this is absolutely the case. It is THE major justification of the right to bear arms.
It enables the liquor store clerk to foil the robber’s evil intent. It empowers the citizen by putting disquiet into the minds of government enforcers.
Twice my husband and once my sister have prevented a potential crime against them by simply pointing a gun at the person. Both never fired a shot. My sister probably never would have. But the people trying to get into their cars ran away when the guns were pointed at them.
“In the hands of the law-abiding, this is absolutely the case.”
Be that as it may, the author didn’t limit his statement to the law-abiding. And consider: in some places to even have a gun in your hands means you aren’t one of the law-abiding.