Interesting perspective but I have to disagree.

To me that would be a secondary result of the primary purpose being violent destruction of a target. It can only save a life through killing/disabling a threat or deterrence due to the implied threat of violence.

It's not like they are flotation devices or can be used to perform CPR. I will freely admit they can be quite useful though, especially in a rural setting. I'm all for responsible gun ownership and licensing.

Do you think a paranoid schizophrenic that hears voices and sees people that aren't there should be able to have a gun collection? Another example I can think of would be a suicidal manic depressive with a documented history of attempts on their own life.

To me stopping the mentally ill from acquiring firearms is a lot like not letting a blind person drive a car.