My original reply to Lyn: AR-15s are the superior platform today because they are easy to control even if you are a small person(low recoil), very accurate because we are accountable for our actions, low maintenance(basically dont need cleaning only occasional lube), high capacity magazines mean you can defend against multiple attackers, and they are effective at close or long ranges. Pistols are much harder to get proficient with and require weekly practice or you’ll loose the skill. But if you are interested in carrying a weapon, get the largest pistol you can comfortably carry. Glock 19 is the Toyota truck of the pistols. The Glock 43X is great smaller option. A sovereign individual is the primary force of peace in their world. A centralized force of peace officers fall prey to the same problems that plague any centralized system.