C-Bears --- very well said. My wife and I were born and raised in Geneva, IL; 35 miles due west from the Loop. I went to IIT for 4 1/2 years and, as you may know, was not (and maybe still is not) the best neighborhood in Chicago some 50 years ago. It was pretty scary place then; and probably more so now.
And, of course, no one even thought about personal weapons there or then.
Thank you for your service.
Merry Christmas all