re: #15 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Well, try saying it another way.

Rephrased-Given the obvious existence and in some places prevalence of violent predators, law abiding people will rightly seek protection.

How is that part of a cycle? Do you mean that those who get shot will then seek revenge?

More like seek to prevent or stop another attack. How they do that is for them to decide, hopefully wisely. Revenge is always a bad idea. Of course in some cases a victim will seek revenge and the awful cycle is on.