The Sheriff of Spartanburg county S.C. is a firm believer in the 2nd amendment and concealed carry permits.
Let me see if I can find the latest story out about him/CCW....here you go. Be sure to read 2nd page or the very end of the article. 
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20111031/ARTICLES/111039954
The big point is that people are attacked unexpectedly and need time for the brain to work to sort out just what is going on. Civilians seldom expect an attack, they are not trained to be paranoid as our Cops are, on guard every minute they are out of their homes. Even Cops can be taken by surprise off duty, home invaders while taking a shower, sitting on the john, cooking supper or mowing the lawn.
It takes training, not just a once a time class but a whole lot more of what to watch for, a constent paranoid suspicion of all in countered. Practice both the skill but also take courses in how to determine a threat or if they should fire and hit the attacker and not a kid in a baby stroller.
Funny this came up as just yesterday Mom came over and I gave her a cane that was too short for me but fit her fine. I had her sit and watch the Cane -Foo videos on self defence for the Senior Citizens. Not only self defence but used to exercise the upper body.
After I told her this was a weapon one can take anywhere, into Courts, Hospitals, Schools, Malls, planes, trains and what not, she had just one objection to carrying one------. A cane will make me look too old, she was born in 1922 or so, but still drives. :Lao:
In an unexpected attack in a parking lot at the grocery store, Mom would not have time to defend herself with an arsenal of guns , knives or pepper spray in the bottom of a purse. But the Cane is at hand and a good Oak one even swung wildly will surprise and cause damage to an attackers body.
Guns are fine for those that know when to use them and when to back down. State laws are weird, shoot someone advancing on you with a knife at 50 paces and you could be in big trouble. Don't forget the police that shot a man pulling out his ID and they thought he had a weapon.
We have guns for home protection, but I bet if we had a home invasion I would be no where the fire arm was, a cast iron fry pan will do the job nicely.
