If a person says they won't carry any kind of firearm when backpacking because the odds of needing it are so slim, then surely they have never in their life purchased a lottery ticket. That would be hypocritical.
Leaving behind a convenience item would just be, well, inconvenient. Leaving something behind that just possibly might save your life or that of a loved one doesn't make sense to me.
Sam Colt's invention has been called the great equalizer. Having a firearm makes me feel much more comfortable and secure, knowing that I have more choices, and that I have a much better chance of defending myself, should I need to, even if the chances of needing to are very slim.
When I flew in the military, I never needed to use my parachute, but I was always glad it was there.
