The point is that we can all relate to the average homeowner buying a handgun for protection
Can we? Where I live, buying a pistol or an assault rifle for self-defence would get you viewed the same by your neighbours. I'd actually be more concerned if I heard someone on the street brag about their pistol because it's much easier to carry about secretely than a rifle.
This reminds me of the term 'security theatre', which is why I think the analogy is a bad analogy.
Can we? Where I live, buying a pistol or an assault rifle for self-defence would get you viewed the same by your neighbours. I'd actually be more concerned if I heard someone on the street brag about their pistol because it's much easier to carry about secretely than a rifle.
This reminds me of the term 'security theatre', which is why I think the analogy is a bad analogy.