[T Wayne]

I keep loaded handguns for self defense purposes. I have accomplished this several times without a shot being fired and no one being killed.

I also have several firearms, including handguns, that have only "last resort" self defense application.

These firearms were not made to kill people. Can they be used for that? Certainly! But that does not make it their intended use any more that my 4x4 PU is intended to be used as an assassains weapon.

Possibility does not equal intent!

[r9etb]

These firearms were not made to kill people.

Handguns not made for hunting, TW. They are designed for killing things at close range. The only thing you're likely to kill in "self defense," (which is why most people buy handguns in the first place), is a human.

The fact that you've used your handgun for self defense without firing a shot, merely demonstrates the fact that people know a handgun will kill them. And by pulling your gun, you promised to kill them if they didn't go away.

Outdoors, one can extend self defense to things like bears. But that's a secondary application.