Some thoughts:

1) A weapon (any weapon, whatever it is, from a sock full of sand to an M60, is considered a "force multiplier". Then, if you have the proper amount of training for any particular weapon, and the "force" factor is 1,(bare handed human), then the more big ass weapon wins the round. My sock full of sand wins your bare hands, your HK11 wins my 9mm pistol. So the phrase "don't bring a knife to a gunfight" really means "assess the situation correctly, react appropriately, use suitable force, walk away in one piece".

2) There are countries that use the death penalty regularly and also use harsh punishments. Crime continues to exist there. Guys were executed in China after the melamine milk scandal, yet a new case was uncovered after some months. Thieves and murderers continue to exist in the Persian Gulf states, no matter the whipping and severed arms, beheadings, stoning etc. It clearly does not work like that. And no matter if everyone has a taser and the other choice has death as a consequence, many many guys would opt for the bigger "force multiplier" because criminals run an enterpise and want faster results and faster ROI and are not usually found to excel in common sense.

3) The bible has it all. You think of something, chances are it is in there. That is why people love it. The best tale ever told. Having faith is good though.

4) If you look closely, you will find that the Secret Service does not look forward to win a fight when confronted with enemies of POTUS. Ok, they have that kind of training, but their main aim is to make sure nobody is even thinking of doing something. That is why when your president wants to hop to California to see the Terminator in person, an advance party goes there a week before, coordinates everything, keeps tabs on local nutheads, takes them to the movies to keep them close at all times (actually read that in a newspaper article) and only then the Air force One touches down in LAX or wherever. In summary, they do whatever they can to DETER bad guys, not to kill them. They put alarms, and make sure EVERYONE knows it.

5) Dogs are fine deterrents, but to quote a line I read... "No one runs faster than Mr Heckler & Koch" or "Mr Nine millimeter". And they also can be defeated by a plateful of brake fluid. Some ancient civilization used ducks I think. They are food to everything that moves, so naturally the make a terrible fuss when they hear something.

6) As long as you own a weapon, you have to be prepared to use it. They are not for show. If you don't use it, the assailant will use your weapon or his against you, never mind his original intentions. A gun may act as a detterent, but remember it may also "up the ante". I want easy money, I am already past lawfulness... Instead of money you show me a 9mm, you get the full treatment of my AK-47. Case closed.