>> California prefers their violent crime victims to be unable to
>> defend themselves.
>
> using a weapon, especially a fire arm, means readiness to to kill,
> and most people would have problems with that.
Self-defense is a set of skills that can be taught; it's not as black-and-white as "readiness to kill" (I can tell quickly that you've had no self-defense training).
Most people don't know how to drive as they emerge from the womb; some get a little bit of training, and function "fine" on the freeways. Most people don't know how to defend themselves or others nearby. They can wind up like these two:
> McNamara said she watched helplessly as the woman plunged a
> knife into the upper back and shoulder of a male shopper. He
> had crouched down and covered up to fend off the blows, she said.
As per usual, education is a big part of the answer.
/jordan