Your chances of needing your sidearm are on the order of winning the lottery. We create the universe we live in with our thoughts, what you think is what you leave as your legacy. You can continue in fear, or you can free yourself from it. Your choice will reflect in the lives of your children and grandchildren.
I carry a fire extinguisher in my truck and in my flight bag, but I've never been in a truck or inflight fire. My flight bag also has a portable VHF radio, and carbon monoxide detector. I've never had the radios fail, much worse than the PTT switch on one side. How many people have ELTs?
I keep a spare tire and jack in my truck and tire plugs in my truck tool kit even though I very rarely use them. I have probably plugged more tires for women with flats than for myself (don't read into that).
If I go jog or bike ride, I carry my health insurance card in the event I drop out unconscious even though It's never happened. In fact, I started carrying water on my bicycle because I saw a couple folks with beet red skin that looked like they were ready to pass out when I was on bike rides. I usually don't drink it. I watch people in the gym fill water bottles from the water fountain and carry them around with them, when they will never be more than 100 feet from the restroom or fountain their entire workout!
It's all the risk management calculations we make. If the consequences could be dire or life threatening, and the preventative measure easily within reach it's worth it to us. Psychobabble marketing studies prove we respond to threat of loss better than to discounts or positive opportunities.
That's why so much of the advertising and political message is about terrorizing every aspect of our lives. It's good for business!
I started carrying a cell phone as an emergency measure. For the most part, the majority of human speech is completely worthless, executed for the emotional benefit of the speaker.
Carrying a handgun has also caused me to be extra cautions about my own behavior. If you have a carry permit and do need to defend yourself with deadly force, and during the post event legal investigation it's determined your behavior escalated or preempted the conflict in any way you're screwed. You can't even claim you didn't know, because you have a state licensed card that says you received the legal training.
I am acutely aware that I am legally responsible for the damage done by every bullet from my hand gun. And that's all every bullet does is damage stuff. In fact I carry an abbreviated copy of the current interpretation of the rules in my palm for occasional review.
For TN:
Deadly Force-Justified 3 conditions:
1. Intent, reasonable belief of imminent danger
2. Ability, danger is real-usually see weapon
3. Jeopardy, belief danger is based on reasonable grounds
Assume intent &ability if unknown individual unlawfully &forcefully enters your:
-Business
-Residence
-Dwelling
-Vehicle
Shoot only to neutralize
Danger must be imminent.
Must be in fear of death or serious bodily injury:
-Broken Bones
-Loss of Consciousness
-Lg painful bleeding wounds
-Loss of limb
-Loss of organ
-Permanent Disfigurement
-Substantial risk of death
You have no duty to retreat if:
-Not doing anything illegal
-In a place you have a right to be
You cannot be doing anything illegal. The state will not recognize your right to carry a firearm, if you are violating the law.
Carrying a firearm has taught me to behave in a much less macho and inflammatory way. I would never tell anyone they are acting incorrectly anymore. I stay away from all trouble, keep my eyes open and mouth shut.