Holy cow! That is possibly the most glaringly flawed logic I have ever read.

For the OP's question:
Me:
Gun? yes.
In the car? no.
Do I know how to handle them? look at my avatar.
Do I need them to keep me and my family safe? hell no. (You'd be surprised to know what I can do without one)
Will I use them if forced to and there is no other way out? hell yes.
What's the best weapon? the one in my cranium.


Have a nice day...

PS: My throwing knives are capable of much greater emotional damage. When you send "a warning shot across the bow" (so to speak), would-be attackers freeze, loose bladder control, and then go away quickly...