Building electrical can fail, appliances can short circuit, cooking accidents can happen, I have a five year old... I have a couple of friends who lost their home, possessions and two dogs because their furnace malfunctioned. I find it too easy to keep some fire extinguishers for a little peace of mind. Is it 100% that I'll be able to put out a fire? No of course not but that's a bit more of an edge that I have because shit happens. I also don't run with scissors. This will be wear you say I should walk around in a bubble suit and never leave the house right. Last time I was shot at? About 3 weeks ago. My lifestyle choices are just fine. But the people you walk by on the sidewalk, or drive by, or sit next too at the burger joint, or in line behind at the grocery store...I get to see them at their worst and know what they are capable of. I'm lucky that I don't see the worst of the worst. Most people are good people, I'm just not under the illusion that there aren't people who will harm you for any reason whatsoever. Hell, Midget Todd and his gf were shot trying to get car jacked. His gun saved his life. Let me go this route, seeing what thread we are in anyways. Let us say that Martin is 100% innocent in his actions. He was not acting suspicious in any way and was only minding his business walking home. This was a decent neighbor hood too right? Yeah they had break ins but not murders and all that, right? Let's say that Zimmerman was the aggressor. This is what a large percentage of people believe and if IIRC, you do as well. So Zimmerman had the advantage because he had the gun. Martin was fighting and throwing elbows, as you say would be your response to a threat, as evident by Zimmerman's injuries. What did Martin's "throwing elbows" get him? Would it have evened up the odds had he been legally caring a firearm? What would have been a good option for Martin in this situation?