That hesitation is caught and Gray knew it well: he had it way back when he first came to Panem and Sandy had to teach him how to handle a knife. "I do think it's a good idea, even if neither of us are keen to violence," he explained without discrediting Luna's fears. "It's terrifying to have it on you but it's the best way to guarantee that you can protect those who you care about."

It was the spin that Phil used to justify his possession of the very personal weapon. "If someone takes it from you, then run, run as fast as you can and away. I-I can tell you don't want to hurt anyone and there's always that chance...but if you're faced with a dilemma, you have to think about what is safest for you."

Just because he knows Luna might not win doesn't mean he won't provide her the means to keep herself and those she tends to safe.