> If fear of guns is irrational then why do licence-holders need them? Often for non-gun related threats. And also because they're probably in riskier demograp

> If fear of guns is irrational then why do licence-holders need them? Often for non-gun related threats. And also because they're probably in riskier demographics. Or maybe because they just enjoy shooting. > Just because heart disease is the most common cause of death doesn't mean concern about anything else is irrational. Worry is zero-sum. The time you spend worrying about being shot is time you aren't spending worrying about your trans-fat intake, or simply enjoying life. > I think being afraid of something that can kill you is absolutely rational. Afraid of, or worried about in general? If a bad guy is swinging a gun around, yes you're right to be afraid. There's a direct action that will make you safer - leaving - and you should take that if possible. But in general to worry about a bad guy with a gun is stealing attention from real problems with actual solutions.