Yes, it literally hurts to be prepared as statistically a gun owner is more likely to get shot with their own gun than by a different gun. I'm not saying you're wrong about your whole argument, but even a gun handled perfectly safely is still introducing an element of risk due to its inherent capabilities. To ignore that risk totally is lying to yourself and others. Now our country gives you the right to have that gun and take that risk in many jurisdictions. It's up to you whether you decide the weight and added risk of a firearm being around is worth the off chance of a freak attack by another human or the even less likely risk of an animal attack. Personally I'm too much of an ultralight fanatic and I have no interest in gun ownership, so I take the risk of the freak asshole that I'm not lucky enough to be able to outrun. In grizzly country or other areas of the world with more dangerous wildlife this discussion doesn't apply. I'd get over my gun ownership thing if I was hiking in grizzly country regularly, and yes I know bear spray is more effective. I want both.