Defense

We need to talk about that word. It's being horribly abused.

Defense is not offense.
Do I really need to explain? I certainly don't need to define the terms, but it appears that I certainly do need to differentiate between the two. Defense is a response to an Offense-ive action. Unprovoked attacks, like ours upon Iraq, can not be said to be "defensive." As noble as our soldiers' intentions may be, we are not defending anything with our occupation. The invasion itself was offensive. In both senses.

Guns are not defensive.
Guns are a deterrent, not a defense. The gun is not going to block the incoming bullet, or the sucker punch, or the knife, unless you are extremely lucky. Rather, you pull it or carry it in the hope that you will be able to use it to either deter/intimidate or deter/kill your opponent. There is, therefore, no sensible or logical argument for concealing a gun on your person. As a deterrent, it is only effective if the rest of us know it's there. Oh hell, I'm starting to sound like Dr. Strangelove...