I have just completed an 8+ hour course required for an "enhanced" permit to carry a concealed weapon (not necessarily a firearm -- hell, it could be an assegai or a claymore if those would be concealed, a dirk or set of brass knuckles. (NB: I don't carry a weapon, concealed or otherwise as I think doing so is silly.) But being a gun owner (target shooting) I want to be "up" on the latest laws, safety recommendations, etc.

Part of the class -- most of it, in fact -- was on the laws regarding firearms (I didn't ask about a concealed bearded axe). In all states of the US, you cannot:

*shoot a fleeing person.
*shoot someone "on suspicion.
*wave a weapon around with intent to intimidate.
*carry a weapon into a Federal building, courthouse, school, and in some States, bars and churches.

You must defending your life (not your property) or the life of another. The danger to life must be imminent and immediate.

It is strongly, very strongly, suggested that if you are going to carry a concealed weapon that you get insurance to cover your legal costs, because you're going to be sued. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Of course, the news outlets have as a policy "If it bleeds, it leads." I make no apologies for criminals. I would defend my home, myself, and my family as best I could against an attacker or home invader. I would probably, however, use my bare hands or some type of club/nightstick/billy instead of a gun or knife (bloodstains are sooooo difficult to remove from the carpet) and bullets go through walls and even the neighbor's walls. But then, I have had more than a little training in the use of batons as weapons (and I taught hand-to-hand combat).

I check the news every morning to see how the president has embarrassed me and the country overnight.