What is Atticus' response when the children ask him to borrow a gun?

In Chapter 23, Bob Ewell approaches Atticus, threatens to kill him and spits in his face. Atticus, as always, handles the situation very calmly and hardly reacts at all. Jem and Scout are completely terrified that Bob Ewell will follow through with his threat and kill Atticus. They feel that Atticus should have a gun to protect himself, so they ask if they can borrow one. Atticus responds by saying that the idea is nonsense....

In Chapter 23, Bob Ewell approaches Atticus, threatens to kill him and spits in his face. Atticus, as always, handles the situation very calmly and hardly reacts at all. Jem and Scout are completely terrified that Bob Ewell will follow through with his threat and kill Atticus. They feel that Atticus should have a gun to protect himself, so they ask if they can borrow one. Atticus responds by saying that the idea is nonsense. He continues to explain that Bob Ewell was serious when he made the threat, but would not follow through with it. He says that he took away Mr. Ewell's last bit of dignity and that he has every right to be angry at Atticus. Atticus also says that he would rather Mr. Ewell take his anger out on him than on the Ewell children. Atticus assures Jem and Scout that Mr. Ewell would not have much of a chance to do anything secretive in a town like Maycomb and that they should not worry. After that, they feel much better.