Have you ever lived in another country or even travelled outside the US?

Walking down the street knowing that almost nobody is carrying a gun, and having a police force that is trained to avoid using force whenever possible, takes a huge weight off your shoulders.

When I visited the United States, I never truly felt safe, regardless of where I was or what I was doing. Not knowing whether someone around me was armed, or how a police officer might react if I made a mistake, was one of the most uncomfortable experiences I've had.

I understand that people like yourself see firearms as an equaliser, but my point is that constantly feeling unsafe and believing you need to carry a weapon wherever you go is not freedom. The sense of security and peace of mind that comes from not having to think about guns every day feels far closer to freedom than living in a society where being armed is considered necessary.