Or you may live rural and rely on a sheriff... who is at best a 30 minute drive away!
Besides, in our case, loaded guns are also needed on various threatening varmints. In a scenario with a rattlesnake 2 feet from the back porch is it better for a kid to have to get mom or dad, wait for the gun, and then not know where the snake went, or just to reach inside the back door to the waiting 12 gauge and take care of the threat? It would be the same concept IMO when talking of threatening human scum.
Good point Wneighbor,
Neighboring county Okeechobee, Sheriffs office is in town about 30 or 40 miles south of the county line. Something happens in the north county, who knows how long it may take.
Critters? Bobcats, SNAKES, Panthers, Boar, Skunks, criminals, did I mention SNAKES?