In my concealed handgun class, the instructor taught us that because we are carrying a gun we should try to avoid situations which could cause us to use them. He used examples like arguing over a parking space, arguing over the availability of a gas pump, road rage in general, etc. We carry a gun for protection, but we should seek to avoid confrontations if possible because they could turn deadly.
100%. You are absolutely correct.
I was at a demonstration in a blue state some years ago, and carried for personal protection, and got singled out by the Leftists for some reason, and they sent a guy over to harass me.
He was in my face to the point I really wanted to slug him. When I say “in my face” he was about a foot in front of me between me and the stage where Sarah Palin was speaking. When I moved, he moved. I said multiple times (measured and polite) “Look, I am here to see the speaker. I am not interested in having a discussion with you.”
But, I am a hot tempered guy, perhaps I gave that away in some fashion and that is why they picked me out, but he was clearly trying to provoke a physical altercation. I looked over, and saw about ten people (who were with him) videoing me and their buddy continually.
Finally, people around who didn’t know who I was started saying to the guy “Hey, he doesn’t want to talk to you. Why don’t you go somewhere else?” and eventually, after about ten minutes of this, the guy left.
Point is, I am a bit of a hot head, but the whole time, even though I really wished I could have hauled off and slugged him...I forced myself to keep my composure.
Because I was carrying, it was foremost in my mind that I had to be the adult in the room. I couldn’t afford to let things get to the point we might have been rolling around on the ground. Anything can happen at that point.