A medieval European ventured outside his walled city warily, knowing that robbers lurked in the wilds beyond the reach of the feudal order. In late 20th-century America, we have turned this around—for most of us, it is only when we venture into the city that we concern ourselves with the lawless. They thrive there, provided...

Gun owners are often asked by friends, and rhetorically by politicians and the media, “How can you stand having a gun in your home?” Sometimes we try to bridge the gap by speaking of our love of hunting or target shooting or of our appreciation of the history and craftsmanship of firearms. But this evades...