To Arms?

I find this post from the Reason blog persuasive. It deals with the advantage that gun control or gun-free zones provide to criminals willing to ignore those laws.

In numerous violent incidents that have occurred over the past several years I have often wondered whether the damage could have been limited if a legally-armed bystander had intervened. I certainly wonder about the potential for further injury if the intervening party hits someone else, but I might be willing to take that chance. Personally, I would prefer to be armed and have a fighting chance.

Given what happened in Fort Hood there has to be a better way, and removing all handguns from circulation is clearly not it.