A friend of mine has a concealed weapons permit.  He carries a small weapon with him (in an inside-the-waistband holster) at all times as a personal protection matter. 

He's not macho (quite the opposite) nor does he have any burning desire to fire his weapon. 

He explained to me that he only carries it because he has never been a fighter and, with age and declining physical attributes, he feels he wouldn't be able to adequately protect himself in a case of encountering imminent danger to either himself or those dear to him. 

He told me that he has a son ... a big guy ... 'bout 6'1" and well over 200 pounds who is opposed to such weapons. 

His son, upon being asked what he would do in case of a threat to himself or one of his family, responded, "I'd kick th' @$%&@ outta him."  So my friend asked whether or not such a kicking attack might injure (or worse) his attacker.  The son acknowledged that it might indeed. 

Then my friend asked his son if he ever played the lottery and what the chances of winning were.  Two million to one?  Three million to one? 

The son said he did play occasionally because one just might win. 

The next question had to do with what the odds were that, sometime in life, either he or one of his loved ones might be threatened?  5,000 to one?  1,000 to one?  Which scenario is the more likely?  End of discussion. 

Now comes the humorous part. 

My friend and his wife, returning home from lunch at their favorite Mexican restaurant, Las Brisas, found two police patrol cars parked nearby and two of Edmonds' finest at their front door. 

One of the officers approached the car as they pulled in and asked my friend if he carried a gun.  He acknowledged that he did.  When asked, he showed his license to carry concealed. 

Then it dawned on him what had caused the official visit.  He had, when visiting the restroom while at the restaurant, carelessly allowed the gun to slip out of its holster and clatter onto the floor while ... uhhh ... lowering his pants.  It seems that some well-meaning citizen had called the PD after having seen the weapon under the wall of the booth. 

One of the officers began to chuckle and commented that he had had a similar experience when he dropped his handcuffs. 

We should all commend the community-minded citizen. 

One never knows when someone bent on harming others might be the possessor of a gun. 

I also commend the officers for responding to the call in a timely fashion.  It gives me a sense of reasonable safety.