To Adam, I say: learn how to use a weapon and then arm yourself.

This is not to say I am against firearms, but you need to be realistic their use. For example, the military trains all the time with firearms all the time. Even so, when in battle, friendly fire counts for a very large number of losses. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O126-FriendlyFir...

Even when being careful, mistakes happen. http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/sauk_mountai...

My father had a pistol made under the Luger patents (not a real Luger, but worked like one). I was taught how to shoot it, so I would know how to use a firearm. My father said that he had it for protection; as a former military police officer, he knew how to use it. It never was used for protection, though; it was stolen from their house when they were away.

From reading your blog, I know you like to get out in the real wilderness. What would you carry that would be useful against an animal like a bear or cougar, but not cause problems while backpacking or climbing? Would you have time to load and fire it in an emergency?

Without difficulty, you can also find stories on the web where having a firearm saved a life. Just be realistic about why you want it, and what it can really do for you. Most people that buy a firearm for protection never use it that way.