If that all you think of when being prepared to defend yourself and loved ones from the crazy bastids you are quite privileged and the line for the lemming race starts over there.
Owning a gun can bring confidence and with practice, you can learn how to be a Marksman or a Sharpshooter without ever having to join the military. Self-esteem should never come from having experience with firearms and other potentially lethal weapons. However, it doesn’t mean that some gun owners won’t feel “bigger than life” when their finger is on the trigger and the gun is loaded.