Houston, We May Have A Problem

Joe Horn is about to become a poster idol, inextricably linked with the Supreme Court and the N.R.A. I'm not sure whether that's good news or bad news...I guess each of us will have to decide personally, but we WILL have to take a stand, I suspect.
Joe Horn was exonerated by the Texas Supreme Court for killing two men who were burglarizing a neighbor's home last November. This comes shortly after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the law limiting weapon ownership in the country. This is notable in some respects because Joe Horn MEANT to kill two people: he told the 911 operator that he was going to do it when he phoned in and said a burglary was taking place. Despite the fact that police were on the way, Horn shot two "black guys," actually illegal immigrants from Columbia, as they ran AWAY from his yard (not putting him or his property in danger). Let's see...shooting two burglars in the back with a shotgun as they fled...apparently, this is just cause in Texas, and now, perhaps, all across the country.
Gun ownership is fine with me. I do not own one, especially given the statistics on gun deaths in this country. In 2005, the last year statistics have been compiled on such things, homicides featuring guns accounted for only 45% of all gun-related deaths; accidents accounted for 3% and "legal" deaths (such as those involving policemen or, apparently, Joe Horn) accounted for 2% of the gunshot deaths. The other 55% of deaths inflicted by gunshot were suicides: the most effective way to kill yourself. Suicide by gun is effective 90% of the time; jumping from a high place works only 34% of the time (imagine surviving such an attempt! You'd look like one of those cartoon guys who moved up and down like an accordian). Attempts at self-destruction using frugs were successful a measly 2% of the time. Hence, guns obviously top the list. I don't want to take the chance, even though one estimate places the figure at 1 million the number of crimes that were prevented by flashing a gat. Still not enough to convince me to put one under my pillow.
While I might feel differently if someone were burglarizing my house or terrorizing a family member, for now I think it'll be awhile before I start carrying a piece.