Anyone Proud to Not Own a Gun?

Im pretty sure I was proud not owning a firearm.....'course......I was about 4. I was a master protector when I got my first pistol (at 6, it shot rubber balls), but then I turned to the dark side, and began shooting my brother every day. Somtimes, I shot my mom, then hit my Army men with a hammer. Soon after, I got this silly pistol that shot plastic discs. I learned I could bank a shot on the wall, hitting my brother. He still wasnt safe. About a year later, I got a rubber band gun. This thing kicked ass! Unfortunately, My brother also got one. War broke out almost every day, until we ran out of rubber bands. Later, I got my first "Assault" rubber band gun. I could rapid fire 10 rubber bands. Once again, I would riegn supreme in the house (Still no match for my Mom with her Fly swater). Then, we got BB guns. we learned to NEVER point them at each other, but rather began to unleash wholey hell on paper targets, and any aluminum can that crossed my path. Paint cans = Shot. Bars of soap = Shot. It was horrifying. THEN.....after a year or so, my brother and I got...*gasp*...shotguns. Paper targets were no longer fun. However, clay targets were. We still never pointed the guns at one another, but rather shot birds (ate them), cans (didnt eat them), as well as other things we might come accross at the range, or desert. Years went by, and we got rifles, pistols, etc. We shot paper, cans, birds, paint bottles, our old toys.....it was rather frigtening. We attended competitions, as well as training classes, to teach us the propper way of handling these items of destruction. More time went by, and still never shot anyone, but never thought much about it. I would feed the weapons quality ammo, clean them, and somtimes, let them watch TV with me. As time went by, None of my weapons ever shot anything by themselves. I even left one of my pistols near my wallet, and car keys, and went to the pool for a swim. When I got back, all my stuff was still there, and the gun didnt move (so much for the theory of guns killing, and doing crazy things), anyway, I had a few beers, and went to sleep on the couch. Somtime in the early morning, I heard a little sound at my front door and thought "could someone by trying to break into my place?"....NAW!!!....That only happens in the movies, and on the news. Then....BOOM!. My door was kicked in by a guy wearing black clothes, slicked back hair, glasses, and he had somthing in his hand. Before I could think, my 357 was in my hand, and pointed at his face. he ran out of my house, while I gave chase....in my underware......it was.....awkward. Anyway, He was caught, and interestingly enough, This wasnt his first break in. Go figure. Anyway, the gun didnt shoot him (go figure). I was scared. I shook all that morning. Anyway.....Was I proud? Not really. Did I feel like more of a man? Nope. I felt the same. So....What was the big change? Welp.......I began to think how many people this happens to, but doesnt have any way of protecting themselves. From the time the door was kicked in, to the time some one called the cops, was about 5 mins. As I was screaming "SOMEONE CALL THE COPS!!!" It took 12 mins for the cops to get there. IF.....I didnt have a pistol handy......What would have happened? What would that have done to me, if this guy had decided to beat the shit out of me, or worse, (he was found with a crowbar, and a knife). I feel bad for the people that think the cops are going to be able to get to them before any harm is done. Cops are a fantastic addition to a comunity, and have one of the most underappriciated jobs in the world. But when your door is kicked in while you are asleep......how fast can they get to you? Dont get me wrong. Cops WANT to get there fast. But even if it took 5 mins from the time of the call, to the time on scene......what could have been done? I pray that nothing happens to any of our members here. Not so much as a keyed car. But there are shit heads out there. in random places. at random times. If that guy that busted my door in gave me time to aclimate to the situation, and allowed me to choose a weapon to defend my self with, it surely wouldnt be a matching crowbar, knife, candle stick, toaster, or bottle of dish soap. Now...I find myself rambling, so I leave you with this. Please do what you feel makes you the most comfortable, but DO NOT pass judgment on another for having a difference of opinion. Lets keep the name calling to a minimum. Tip your servers, be kind to animals, Take time to thank a cop.