The stats behind that claim are extremely suspect. In particular, the oft quoted stat about a handgun being 42 times more likely to kill it's owner than a crook is only valid if you consider suicides. Long debate there, but I don't consider that a risk worth considering. If you choose to end your life with a gun, I think it's a reach to blame the gun.

There are well over 200 million firearms in this country. There are approximately 10,000 firearms deaths per year, most of them active acts of violence. Most of the deaths are between people who know each other, and most of those are perpetrated by individuals with previous histories of violence and crime. Avoid being around violent criminals, and you'll be fine. And if you have to be around armed violent criminals, I for one, would prefer to even the odds.

My guns won't hurt anyone, unless I think they deserve it.