content: I agree with you that individuals have a universal right to self-defense.  I think the Second Amendment is about serving as a check against the power of government not just about personal defense.  The founding fathers were concerned about what government might do to oppress the citizenry if people were left without a means to strike back against government overreach.  The idea of defending against a street thug would have been a secondary consideration, if it was even considered at all.  History is clear.  The greater threat of industrial sized killings is from governments, not gangsters.  I still want a firearm for personal defense against small time criminals.