A recent case in Detroit debated the use of deadly force in self-defense, an issue that’s sure to surface again with Americans citing personal protection as the No. 1 reason for purchasing firearms.

    During the past decade, the number of people who report buying weapons for self-defense rather than sport increased from 26 to 48 percent. The number of gun buyers who listed hunting as the reason for purchasing a firearms 10 years ago was 49 percent. Today that number has dropped to 32 percent.

    The National Rifle Association claims that guns are used for personal protection more than 2 million times a year and the presence of a weapon, whether it’s fired or not, prevents many crimes.

    An ongoing murder trial in the Motor City raised questions about when, and if, use of deadly force is appropriate.

     The case, reported by The Wall Street Journal, surrounds homeowner Theodore Wafer who shot and killed 19-year-old Renisha McBride with a shotgun.

    McBride was banging on his door when he fired.

    According to his attorneys, Wafer believed that McBride was breaking into his home.     However witnesses said McBride was disoriented and bleeding after being in a car accident hours earlier. She is believed to have been alone and unarmed.

    Wafer was charged with second-degree murder in connection to the shooting of McBride. The case is the latest battleground over the use of firearms for personal protection.

    Gun owner and former Los Angeles police officer Alan Myers of Pocatello said Wafer made a poor decision, but Myers maintains that responsible gun ownership is still a good deterrent to crime.

    Myers just completed Idaho’s enhanced concealed weapons training conducted by E4 Tactical Solutions. The $80 course is a requirement to obtain Idaho’s enhanced concealed weapons permit which is recognized in 40 states.

    “One of the first things they tell you in the class is that if you shoot somebody, your next call should be to your attorney because you’re going to be in trouble,” Myers said.

    During his 10 years on the L.A. police force, Myers never had to fire his weapon at a suspect. But he’s taught his wife and their daughters and grandchildren to respect weapons and to know how to use them in life-threatening situations.

    If an intruder breaks into your home and you are armed, Myers recommends immediately calling 911 and then telling the invader that you have contacted the police and you have a firearm.

    While the homicide rate in the U.S. has declined, the number of justifiable homicides in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2000 and 2010. In Florida, where a jury acquitted George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin, justifiable homicide increased by 200 percent.

    Zimmerman said he shot Martin in self-defense after the young black man attacked him in a gated community in February of 2012. Martin’s family maintains that Trayvon, who was wearing a hoodie, was profiled, chased down and killed.

    According to GunStats.org, seven percent of all gun-related killings are committed against someone in the act of a felony.  

    Detroit Police Chief James Craig told The Wall Street Journal that his city’s recent decrease in violent and property crime can be attributed in part to increased gun ownership among homeowners.

    Tucker Bloxham, owner of the High Desert Tactical gun shop in Pocatello, said the number of people looking to arm themselves has increased significantly in the past year.

     “Most people are looking for training and asking about concealed carry permits,” Bloxham said.

    He added that he assesses the need and experience level of prospective buyers before making any recommendations.

    “Everyone who has no idea what they’re doing will say buy a shotgun. A shotgun is the last weapon I would recommend for self-defense,” Bloxham said.

    Bloxham said people need to realize that the larger the caliber, the bigger a firearm’s recoil. He also said ammunition is expensive so it’s important to buy a weapon you can afford to practice with.

    Damian Jacobson, manager at Sam’s Gun Shop in Pocatello, said 80 percent of his customers are looking for small guns—something they can carry with them for personal defense.

    The store is one of two owned by Sam Laoboonmi and features an indoor shooting range, the only one in the area. Kami Jacobson, who works alongside her husband Damian at Sam’s, estimates that the number of local women looking to buy guns for self-defense and obtain a concealed weapons permit has increased by 60 percent during the last year.

    Joe Morrell, owner of Big D’s Gun & Pawn in Old Town, reads the statistics differently. He said a lot of his customers start out looking to buy a gun for self-defense, but end up using it for sport.

    “They buy it for protection, but end up taking it out to the range because they enjoy shooting it,” Morrell said.

    Morrell said handguns start at about $150, and that doesn’t get you much of a gun.

    “That is probably the bare minimum, the cheapest you can go,” Morrell said.

    At his store, located on North Main Street, Morrell said he’s seen the number of people looking to get concealed carry permits increase by about 30 percent and a good share of them are also women.

    Big D’s also works with E4 Tactical Solution to provide enhanced conceal weapons permits.

    Prosecutors in the Wafer case argue that someone who claims self-defense must honestly and reasonably believe that they are in imminent danger of either losing their life or suffering great bodily harm, and that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent that harm.

    Bannock County Prosecutor Steve Herzog said in Idaho, the law is similar and it provides for protection against threat to habitation with the intent of committing a violent felony as well.

    “I’m a little uncomfortable with everyone having a gun, but I respect their right to own one. I own one,” Herzog said. “If a gun makes a person feel safer, then they should be able to own one, but I would hope they are trained in safe handling.”