A weapon is just a tool, like any other tool.  A gun is no different than a hammer or a crowbar.  A tactical or hunting knife is no different than a kitchen knife or a steak knife.  It all depends on how those tools are used.  A hammer can be a dangerous weapon if wielded correctly.  A switchblade knife can be used as easily for cutting a slice of cheese as for slashing another human being in an attack. 

As human beings we have been set apart from all the other living beings on this or any other planet.  This distinction carries with it great responsibilities.  We as a race are not supposed to be limited by all or nothing thought.  Human beings can make choices and decisions.  If I choose to carry a weapon, then I have the responsibility to know under what circumstances I am willing to use that weapon and to what extent, and I have the responsibility not to use that weapon to intentionally hurt or kill or otherwise intimidate another person.  The same goes for animals, unless I have to kill one to eat.  It is only in the realm of defending myself, my mother, or my animals that I raise my weapon in violence.  I do a lot of walking and hiking alone, and in my area there is a high possibility of encountering blackbears, mountain lions, wolves, thugs, feral dogs, and animals infected with rabies.  To not carry a weapon of some kind is tantamount to tempting God.  Thus, I carry a weapon as an act of preparedness, not an act of violent intention.  I do not rely on my weapon for my safety (only God can make/keep us safe) but because it will even things up a little bit and might give me a little bit of a chance if I run into trouble.  

Knives are my weapon of choice.  They are handy to have on the trail as they can be used to perform many different tasks, and they are very artistic in their design which makes them wonderful to collect.  Also, unlike guns, knives never run out of ammunition, and because you have to be close to your opponent to use one they encourage me to avoid dangerous situations if at all possible.  Before we as a nation ban all weapons from our society we need to remember: 1.  Almost anything can be a weapon, even drinking straws, toothpicks, and most food items.  2.  Just because a tool can be used to hurt or kill does not mean it is evil; again, anything can be used to hurt or kill another person, even words. 3.  If every knife, gun, spear, bomb etc was removed or banned from lawful society, criminals would still have them.