When we holster up, an astounding emotional transformation often occurs: We become empowered. We feel defended, secure--we almost feel immortal. It's as if the firearm we carry imparts strength and shielding approaching superhero proportions.

Is this a carjacking or an undercover police officer effecting a legal arrest? Be sure you know all the facts before getting involved.

Some of that feeling is justified. As the Old West saying goes, "God made men. Sam Colt made 'em equal."

The firearm does offer additional defensive capabilities, but caveats exist; you must carry it, train with it and maintain situational awareness at all times. Even with all that, being the good people that we are, a firearm is a defensive weapon, especially a handgun. It is not employed until after we are attacked.

Being behind the time/power curve is never a good thing, and mere possession of a weapon may not always save the day. Which brings me to my next point. Some of the emotional advantages of carrying a firearm may not hold true. Worse yet, believing them may actually increase your danger.

The feeling of security is one of falsehood. As I am sure you have heard, "Never do anything with a gun that you would not do without a gun." While that may sound elementary and like plain old common sense, I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard people say that they only carry a gun when they think they might need it.

While they use that statement as an excuse for not carrying full-time, they completely overlook the absurdity of their own words. If you are going to a place where you think you may need a gun, don't go. The first rule of winning a gun fight is not to be in one.

I remember the feeling of empowerment when I first started carrying a gun many years ago. I remember thinking that if I ever saw a robbery, rape or some other violent crime, I could now stop it because I had a gun. More recently, upon recalling those early ponderances, I realized that I never thought of the potential consequences of those actions. It never came to mind that I could be the one who ended up getting shot. Fantasies are like that--the hero never dies.

While teaching firearms students, I have made it a point to ask them if they had similar views either now or when they first started to carry. A vast majority of them did. I also learned that, like me, most of them did not think of the potential consequences. We imagine that when hearing a woman scream, we would rush into the alley and force the attacker to stop with our commanding voice and drawn gun. Or we would see ourselves grabbing our gun when we hear the crashing of our front door, stopping the invading bad guys in their tracks. It was as if possession of a firearm were akin to donning Superman's suit.

The reality of gunfights is much darker than those heroic musings. Realize that you may get shot yourself, resulting in serious injury or death. You may be prosecuted and go to prison, even if you believe you were correct in your actions. And, win or lose, it may cost you a fortune to defend yourself in court.