[crote]

You're misquoting me. That was in the context of a hostile government, not guns in general for civilian-against-civilian "self-defense".

Also, the "at best" and mild" are quite important there. I believe that armed civilians might prevent someone like the National Guard from firing on groups of protestors when it gets hairy, out of fear of being shot in response. They aren't suicidal: you don't escalate when you are in a disadvantaged position!