The point about social responsibility should not be muted. The objective of carrying concealed is NOT to take a life. It is to avoid such. As well- the objective is to save lives, your own sure - but the responsibility that you have as a carrying person is to first determine if you CAN help the situation by acting, and if response to the threat is even warranted by using a firearm.
I see many folks take the CCW ( Concealed Carry ) course, and they come away with a "boldness" - now that they can carry legally, and concealed. This boldness can cause a person to ignore the avoidance of circumstances that previously would cause his gut to tell him to avoid. Now he has "protection"... THIS is a false confidence - and at best could lead to imprisonment ( because if your judgement is skewed to not avoiding questionable circumstance - then your judgement concerning when you are legally allowed and morally o.k. with the use of your firearm. There is no "one answer fits all". The bumper sticker mentality of "I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6" shows a cavalier lack of thinking ability.
Sparky, I love my blades, and feel naked with out a knife. It is a tool, and while more multi-purpose than a firearm, it too can be a protective weapon.
Everyone must be comfortable with their decision to carry or not carry. It is serious, and in my opinion - a person that gets a thrill from carrying should NOT be allowed to carry. It is a responsibility that a person should understand, and not take as lightly as I have seen some that do. You are putting yourself in a position of determining someone else's right to live or die.
And - in balance, you have more of a right to continue living, than someone else has to take that right.
Big picute, and many viewpoints. Your decision to carry is MORE than about self-responsibility. Now, you are responsible to the law, and all of society to use sound judgement.