In an ideal world... there'd be no guns. People, in order to protect themselves, would actually have to learn self-defense. For some, guns are a crutch. Think of the beer bellied hick who couldn't bench his own fat ass but can put a cap in your ass if you look at him funny. Without a gun he's just an out of shape loser... with a gun he's barkin orders and you're listening. To a certain extent... all the martial art training in the world can't stand up to a loaded gun. Sort of unfair if you ask me... but that's just how it is.
For our neighbors up north (who, in so many ways, have it far better than us its' not even funny. I'm pretty sure they don't even lock their doors at night. It's just a much different world up there.) I say, in defense of anyone in the US who packs heat, it's merely a means of keeping up with the criminals. If the bad guys didn't have access to guns the reason for owning one would be far diminished. Granted, you always want to be one step ahead of them but a guy coming into your house with a pocket knife is a bit less dangerous than one sporting an AK47. Granted, this aint the wild west but it's nice to know you at least have a fighting chance if all hell breaks loose.