"Handguns are ideal for criminals, as they are easy to steal, conceal, and use, but they are not that much more beneficial than a long gun for home defense."

I'm with you on one point. People that carry should qualify regularly. But as you stated, "Easy to conceal and use" If at all, weapons are stolen from homes/people that are willfully ignorant (stupid on purpose) when it comes to keeping them lock-up. The pistol has more stopping power than most rifles. Allot of women have problems using shotguns. Pistols are preferred. There are some people that shouldn't have a gun. My mother was very upset when I took her/dads gun away after my father died. She never shot a gun that I know of. And she is to old to learn.

I'm all for concealed carry. But there must be a balance when someone gets their CC license. There should be mandatory weapons safety classes in place and weapons training. Twice a year at the owners expense. We don't need gun registration or any of that. I seriously doubt that any criminal will apply for a CC much less exert the time and effort and money to go through these requirements.

"I am not even afraid of a B&E, since I have a security system the chance of someone breaking into my house is nil. So enjoy your gun, you will probably need it."

A yes, the good old Security System. Westec SS all but guaranteed my ant that she would be safe. Trouble is, the criminal (this particular one) was used to dealing with Security Systems. His trick? Ignore them. He knows about the 9-10 rule. 12 houses (2 houses had SS) and two months later he was finally caught , by a home owners dog. The criminal suffered a minor bite on his calf from the..............Jack Russel Tarrier? The home owner called off his dog and kept the criminal at bay with his Glock 9mm until police arrived, 13 min later. They also caught his get-away car & driver (asleep) 2 blocks away.

People put to much faith in technology. At least supplement by getting a dog. My ant does...........now.

People have the right to defend themselves no matter where they are. There are as many (Probably more) stories about people stopping would-be criminal with guns as you would fined other wise. You will never see these stories as long as you only look in the same place for info. People that are behind Anti-gun are not going to give you any information that might change your mind. Why would they?

It is your right to protect your life and property as you see fit. But if your best efforts aren't enough. You just might ask yourself "Did I do all I could do?"

What ever makes you happy. But I can tell you this. Most all the confiscated gun that we process were stolen from other criminals. Rarely from the Willfully Ignorant. If at all.
I know they must have been stolen from somewhere, some home. But not from my jurisdiction. Not yet.

__________________
Before the sun goes down. Someone in this world will be shot. Don't let it be you.