> In my mind, if one makes a decision to carry a lethal weapon
> for self protection, one must be prepared to kill a person.
Indeed, there are many things to think about, and not just if you carry a weapon around.
> I am simply not willing to make this decision for
> a number of reasons.
Sounds good on the surface. And perhaps you'll make it through your life without actually having to consider the question, which would be excellent luck for you. But I'm sure you'll agree, it would be wise to reserve the answer to the question of whether you'd be willing to take someone's life in exchange for saving your own until it was necessary to make such a decision ... no?
Some people even think it's better to consider that question in advance, saving a little time.
Your mileage may vary.
/jordan