Cupman, I am both a college graduate and rural resident adept at skinning all manner of critters. Personally I would feel more comfortable around the "possum skinner" with a gun than some college kid who thinks it is his manhood.
As a wildlife biologist working alone I packed a pistol for 8 years, mostly open carry. At least twice a year it made a whole lot of difference in some really hairy encounters. I drilled with an old IPSIC shooter, and at every opportunity - not just set piece paper punching. I have NEVER been comfortable with urban carry. The time and distance within which one must make a decision is just too tight for me. I have no objections to others carrying concealed or otherwise, but I am really uncomfortable with the decision making framework of employing lethal force in that environment. When you sit down with the benefit of hindsight and analyze EVENTS THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO YOU, it is amazing how tricky mind and perception can be. It really becomes obvious how confusing reality can get. If there's a lethal weapon in your hand pointed at someone you owe it to yourself to make darn sure you have things straight.
At work I relied upon situation awareness. The snippets I have heard suggest that the scene in the theater was very confusing - many people thought it was part of the show for critical moments. So say more than one CCW person was in there, and they also return fire, in the dark and tear gas, who do you shoot? What about the body armor?
Ain't nobody gettin' out of this world alive - we live with countless risks every day. Neither a "nanny state" or a carrying a gun on my hip will change that.
