people defending themselves

You know it is a good day when the news provides you two more reasons to love your state.
First:

More Tennesseans are applying for handgun carry permits than at any other time since the state began issuing licenses for concealed weapons.

From the first quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of this year, the Department of Safety has seen a 120% increase in the number of applications.

….

As of May 8th, nearly 232,000 Tennesseans held active handgun permits. That’s an increase of 40,000 compared with last year. And Knight says the figures are headed up because all of the applications that came in the first three months of this year are just now going out the door.

You can only imagine my happiness that 40,000 more people have decided to take active, personal, and direct responsibility for their safety and security. Make no mistake – it is a very serious decision to carry a firearm for self-defense, that kind of choice has very significant consequences, and it is not one to be taken lightly. Furthermore, not all people should decide to carry firearms, and no one should feel pressured by others to do so – while I will strongly advocate that all law-abiding citizens should have a choice as to whether or not they will carry a firearm, you will never see me arguing that everyone should. However, understand this – no one but you is responsible for your own safety, and I support those who have decided to equip themselves appropriately.
Second (Courtesy of GunPundit.):

An Oakland, Tennessee man fatally shot an intruder trying to climb in his window early Monday morning.

The incident occurred on the 400-block of Bell Grove Road. The homeowner heard what sounded like a knock on his window around 12:30am. When the noise grew, the homeowner found a neighbor, 32-year old Anthony Webb, breaking through his window with a rake.

The homeowner tells FOX13 that he told the man repeatedly to stop, but Webb’s reply was “What are you going to do?”

The intruder was shot three times, and was declared dead upon arrival by local police.

Be careful of the questions you ask – you may not like the answer. As I have said before, being willing to fight is the first, mandatory step for ensuring your security and safety. However, being able to back up that will with a few high-velocity pieces of metal is one of the many (and, I would argue, more-effective) follow-up steps. I will admit to some degree of pleasure in knowing that one criminal’s recidivism rate has been reduced to 0, and I congratulate the home-owner for defending himself, his property, and his family (if applicable).