In reading those accounts of heroic, armed people taking action against a gun-wielding person, I can't help being glad that it ended that way. (On the other hand, what if the Assistant Principal in that story had, in the excitement, mistaken someone else in the escaping car for the killer?)

If gun owners keep their guns locked in their cars I can see their utility. (When I drove into Canada from the US on my way to Alaska, Customs asked me if I had a gun. I said, truthfully, No, but I do have a hunting knife in the glove box. Only because my brothers didn't want me to be defenseless. The border agent laughed and said it wasn't a problem.)

I can see why a person who is used to guns might carry one while he or she is traveling. However, I couldn't do it, mostly because I can't imagine my getting the mindset that would let me use it.

Do you know that there are many - sane - people who believe that when one goes armed through bear country, that person is less safe? The thinking is that when we travel unarmed in the wilderness we are more respectful, less confrontational; a gun or rifle can make someone 'spoil for a fight'.