Here is the problem with the American mentality of being safe. They think if we all carry weapons we will be safe. But what if nobody was able to carry weapons? or just no guns like in most normal 1st world countries. Of course people can still get them but its not easy and people are much safer in general.
You guys just don't get it... first of all, it is probably easier in most places to get a black market gun than it would be to go through the BS to get a gun legally. I know for a fact it's MUCH easier in NYC and most major cities to get a gun off the street than through a licensed dealer.
2nd, what's with this idea that if no one carried weapons everyone would be safer? Would a 95 yr old grandmother living alone in a high crime area be safer with, or without an effective means of self-defense? If you really think she'd be better off facing down a drugged-up, muscled group of thugs with harsh language than a gun you need a dose of reality, and quick.
You take away ALL weapons, and what you have left is a society ruled by the most ruthless and physically intimidating.
When you take away the citizenry's ability to defend themselves history has shown that what you almost ALWAYS end up with is tyranny and a nation of oppressed people.
Where do you draw the line? Why is it OK to defend yourself with martial arts but not weapons?
Guess what happened when they banned guns in the UK? In some parts of the country, gun-related crime actually INCREASED by over 40%. It also led to something like a 300% increase in STABBINGS. Next they banned knives... then cricket bats, to the point where the law now basically says any object used in an assault is now classified as a weapon. Gun control has been an absolute failure everywhere it's been tried for a very simple reason...
When you take away the means of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves, crime flourishes because criminals know for certain that their victims do not have the means or ability to fight back.
I, for one, choose not to be a victim.