As I see it, you won't - as noted - stop criminals getting illegal access to firearms, but if you're talking about a hardened criminal who could get access to illegal firearms, then having a revolver that you don't really know how to use locked in a drawer by your bed probably isn't going to help, is it?
Yes, yes they can and do protect people, every day. I think the statistic is 2.5 million a year. Both pro-gun and gun control statistics are wildly skewed though, for a variety of reasons, from politics, to not reporting instances where a shot didn't need to be fired to scare off would be attackers.
Although most people won't lock their 'go-to' gun, and plenty of people defend themselves and their familys while legally carrying concealed. I do highly reccomend that you become proficient with any firearm you use to defend your family, once a month or so at a range will keep you in practice, and most people enjoy it. You did get one part right: a revolver is a great choice for someone who is not a firearms enthusiast looking for a self defense weapon.
Think about the opposite extreme of gun banning utopia: in a town where you know everyone is armed, are you going to risk getting shot to steal a TV?
Now consider the gun control extreme, if they were all gone, or never invented: do murders stop?
I also don't understand this notion some of you have that removing guns and going back to stabbing and bludgeoning each other to death is some how more romantic, or 'fair'. Not only nonsensical, its sexist. Women have never stood better odds of being able to defend themselves than when they're proficient with and carrying a firearm.
What is your current plan if someone breaks into your home with the intention of harming your family? Hiding with your cellphone and hoping the police show up before you're found?
I've found that a lot of people that are staunchly anti-gun, have never shot or handled a firearm. Several that I've talked into at least coming to the range and giving it a shot have changed their minds. It seems many people that have never had contact with guns have some fear of guns, although rarely care to admit it.
I realize there is a sea of difference in mindset that I don't hold high hopes of bridging though, when addressing an audience that doesn't seem to have a problem with banning knives, tasers, pepper spray, and even air guns.
Hear hear. Gun accidents kill as many people as guns kill on purpose (excluding suicides). It never ceases to amaze me how stupid people can be with the most serious and dangerous of things. I couldn't believe what some people do, except for that I've seen people be even less responsible with even more dangerous things (namely, what people do in cars). While I'm generally not in favor of government regulation of firearms, requiring people to take a firearms safety course as a pre-requisite for gun ownership sounds like a great idea to me.
Be careful with these statistics, many are misleading to outright false. Often this claim counts suicides as 'accidents'. Hardly accidental, and hardly anything gun control will prevent.