As the gun debate continues to try and heat up, it’s important that we remember that the use of guns saves far more lives than they supposedly cost, and you can’t use the numbers of people killed in self-defense shootings, either. Why? Because many times, the person shot doesn’t get killed.

Kind of like this incident in Kentucky.

Kentucky State Police tells EKB News that Adam Henrickson was shot by his uncle, Robbie Fugate, at Fugate’s residence in the Blackey community of Letcher County.

KSP spokesperson Master Trooper Jody Sims said the two had been having problems for a couple of days and Henrickson was allegedly trying to get inside of Fugate’s residence to confront him. Sims said Fugate shot through the door, striking his nephew in the leg.

Now, let’s be clear here, this clearly looks to be a case of self-defense. No none tried to break into someone’s home to “confront” them if they want a discussion over a cup of coffee. That’s just not going to happen.

No, Fugate was right to believe his life was in danger and to use lethal force to end the potential threat. It’s stupid to wait until an attacker actually commits violence before acting. By then it’s too late. Fugate didn’t, and that’s certainly understandable.

I’m bothered by all these stories of people being forced to shoot family in self-defense lately, though. Family is supposed to be the group of people you can count on, the people who have your back come hell or high water. They’re supposed to be the last people who would turn on you and threaten your very existence.

But that’s the world we live in. The family has become so eroded as an institution that people like this just don’t think of their families as being off-limits for whatever reason.

It’s a shame.

Unfortunately, it’s the state of things. Because of that, we have to be prepared for threats. After all, if family will turn on family, what chance do you have with an armed criminal who has no ties to you except that you were in the wrong place and the wrong time? You need to train and be ready for a variety of threats.

Maybe then, if you find yourself in a bad position, you will have the will and skill to use your firearm in self-defense.

Anti-gunner will continue to try and strip us of our natural right to keep and bear arms, but that’s just one aspect of the fight. The other aspect is to have the tools necessary to turn the table on an attacker and keep you and yours safe for another day.

As this case illustrates, though, you don’t necessarily need to kill an attacker to end an attack. That’s good, especially in this case, because I don’t know that I’d be able to deal well with shooting my nephew, someone I’ve known his whole life, regardless of the situation. At least Mr. Fugate doesn’t have to worry about that but has still managed to keep himself safe and sound.