I am also one who doesn’t think we should have to beg on our knees to be able to defend ourselves. However, I have met people who haven’t dry fired, let alone spent a cartridge since they got their permit. That kind of person generally makes me nervous. I would want to be in front of them when they draw and do have to fire because they’ll probably be off target by 30 degrees if they don’t drop it first.
I don’t think any American should have to even ask the government much less beg. All of your advice after the first statement is great advice. But that is all it should ever be IMO, advice. I would rather live in a country full of idiots, all armed and free, than one where everything is regulated and the only ones with arms were those selected and monitored by the government. My life and limb has been threatened a hundred thousand times more often by motor vehicles than firearms and driving is a privilege entirely controlled by the state.