I first had an "incident" where I held someone at gunpoint (a "Peeping Tom) when I was 17 years of age. The sheriff's deputy was very appreciative when he finally arrived on the scene. I stopped what I believed was an attempted rape with an antique "Colt Lightning" when I was about 25 years of age. It was a drunken fight between two people who were not married to each other. I held them both for the police. More times than not, the situations you encounter that may require a firearm are NOT what they appear to be, so you'd better be right, be calm and be confident. I have learned more about staying out a gun-fight from reading the USCCA's fantastic magazine than from any other source, bar none. At my age. I don't take any "stuff" from people anymore, but I have also developed a very calm demeanor that both intimidates people who might seek to do harm, and comfort those who need help. I was told by my country sheriff when he presented me with my concealed carry permit, "Don't carry anything that doesn't start with a '4'!" So I carry a 1911 or some variety of a Peacemaker! God bless you all and what you do!