If you are going to protect yourself with a gun, understand that it is there to kill, that is what guns do.  Respect its use and know what you are doing by getting educated (gun shops have info classes), pratice and be smart about how you keep the gun at home - your own or visiting children cannot ever, ever be trusted around loose firearms. If you cannot respect the responsibilty that comes with owning a gun and accept the fact that they are there do kill, do not own one.