--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In fact, private citizens legally use…" description: "\"“In fact, private citizens legally use firearms in self-defense 800,000 to two and one half million times a year according to a study by Professor Gary..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed7/jon-gutmacher-32957_amendment_in-fact-private-citizens-legally-use-fir_609673.jpg" --- # In fact, private citizens legally use firearms in… ![“In fact, private citizens legally use firearms in self-defense 800,000 to two and one half million times a year according to a study by Professor Gary Kleck, a noted criminologist at the Florida State University. In 80 or 90 percent of these cases no” quote by Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed7/jon-gutmacher-32957_amendment_in-fact-private-citizens-legally-use-fir_609673.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed7/jon-gutmacher-32957_amendment_in-fact-private-citizens-legally-use-fir_609673.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed7/jon-gutmacher-32957_amendment_in-fact-private-citizens-legally-use-fir_609673.jpg) > ““In fact, private citizens legally use firearms in self-defense 800,000 to two and one half million times a year according to a study by Professor Gary Kleck, a noted criminologist at the Florida State University. In 80 or 90 percent of these cases no”” [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Studies show firearms are used frequently for self‑defense, suggesting many citizens rely on guns for personal protection. **In simple terms:** People often use guns to protect themselves. Key Takeaway Consider the role of firearms in personal safety. Themes self‑defense law public safety statistics Mood analytical concerned Type informative controversial When to use this quote - home protection - night walks - rural living - travel - emergency situations Key Concepts gun ownership crime deterrence legal rights public policy personal security Questions to Reflect On - How does gun ownership affect community safety? - What alternatives exist for self‑defense? A Different Perspective Data may not capture all contexts; legal definitions vary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Firearms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firearms/) [Florida state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/florida-state/) [Self defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-defense/) ## Related quotes > [“In fact, private citizens legally use firearms in self-defense 800,000 to two and one half million times a year according to a study by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/in-fact-private-citizens-legally-use-firearms-in-self-defense-800-000-2/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [The most cogent principle that can be drawn from traditional limitations on the right to keep and bear arms is that dangerous persons likely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardiman/the-most-cogent-principle-that-can-be-drawn-from-traditional/) [Thomas Hardiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardiman/) > [An armed man, especially if he is armed with a firearm, is dangerous as long as he is conscious. Take no chances. Put him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/an-armed-man-especially-if-he-is-armed-with-a-firearm-is-dangerous-as/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no recourse left but in the exertion of that original right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/if-the-representatives-of-the-people-betray-their-constituents-there/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [All power is inherent in the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/all-power-is-inherent-in-the-people/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion... in private self-defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/arms-in-the-hands-of-citizens-may-be-used-at-individual-discretion-in/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Can it be supposed that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-beccaria/the-laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are/) [Cesare Beccaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-beccaria/) > [Crime is a human behavior problem, not a mechanical problem. Furthermore, if firearms were not very useful for self-defense, then police wouldn't carry them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charley-reese/crime-is-a-human-behavior-problem-not-a-mechanical-problem/) [Charley Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charley-reese/) > [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [For an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/for-an-unarmed-man-may-be-attacked-with-greater-confidence-than-an/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-that-forbid-the-carrying-of-arms-disarm-only-those-who-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“The qualifier, or primary question, therefore is: Is intentional display lawful in self defense situations that are less than a forcible felony, or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/the-qualifier-or-primary-question-therefore-is-is-intentional-display/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“Always remember – display of a firearm in Florida makes it a jury question whether the display was “aggravated assault”, improper exhibition, or just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/always-remember-display-of-a-firearm-in-florida-makes-it-a-jury/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [I'm one of those people who believes that part of the greatness of the United States is our private sector. It's what we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/i-m-one-of-those-people-who-believes-that-part-of-the-greatness-of/) [Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/) > [Inflation is not caused by the actions of private citizens, but by the government: by an artificial expansion of the money supply required to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/inflation-is-not-caused-by-the-actions-of-private-citizens-but-by-the/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) ## More by Jon Gutmacher > [“Abductions are usually reserved for murderers. Cooperation only places you in a remote area where help is impossible. Better to be shot where somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/abductions-are-usually-reserved-for-murderers-cooperation-only-places/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“The qualifier, or primary question, therefore is: Is intentional display lawful in self defense situations that are less than a forcible felony, or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/the-qualifier-or-primary-question-therefore-is-is-intentional-display/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“In fact, private citizens legally use firearms in self-defense 800,000 to two and one half million times a year according to a study by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/in-fact-private-citizens-legally-use-firearms-in-self-defense-800-000-2/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“you can’t use, or even threaten the use of deadly force in a non-deadly force situation – period! You can’t fire a warning shot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/you-can-t-use-or-even-threaten-the-use-of-deadly-force-in-a-non/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“I’d also have my cellular with me, and call 911 right there if the guy refused. In this day and age, I advise people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/i-d-also-have-my-cellular-with-me-and-call-911-right-there-if-the-guy/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“The law is that the discharge of a firearm is always the use of “deadly force”. 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Avoiding jail, avoiding court appearances, avoiding attorney fees,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/backing-off-is-always-the-better-move-even-if-you-were-in-the-right/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“You’re not shooting to kill – you’re shooting to survive!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/you-re-not-shooting-to-kill-you-re-shooting-to-survive/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“Always remember – display of a firearm in Florida makes it a jury question whether the display was “aggravated assault”, improper exhibition, or just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/always-remember-display-of-a-firearm-in-florida-makes-it-a-jury/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“The law basically states that deadly force, or the threat of using deadly force shall be used only if you reasonably believe that such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/the-law-basically-states-that-deadly-force-or-the-threat-of-using/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“The moral to this case is what police experts will tell you: In any attempted abduction, you stand a better chance doing anything but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/the-moral-to-this-case-is-what-police-experts-will-tell-you-in-any/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“If it also appears likely that you will be abducted in the process – statistics indicate you, and all those abducted with you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/if-it-also-appears-likely-that-you-will-be-abducted-in-the-process/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) > [“(you should never display a deadly weapon to stop anything but a “forcible felony”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gutmacher/you-should-never-display-a-deadly-weapon-to-stop-anything-but-a/) [Jon Gutmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) [Explore all 15 Jon Gutmacher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gutmacher/) ## More Amendment quotes > [There are a lot of people who want to retain the Eighth Amendment - I don't agree with that view myself - there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-want-to-retain-the-eighth-amendment-i/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [“Let's just make this easy. 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Polsby > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Guns aren't the problem; sick people are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/guns-aren-t-the-problem-sick-people-are/) [Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Gun violence has cost us too many political leaders, and hardly ever the worst ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/gun-violence-has-cost-us-too-many-political-leaders-and-hardly-ever/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [I don't think anybody who carries a rifle carries the future. 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