Go live in a ghetto in Detroit for a few weeks. Travel. There is so much beyond the little safe cocoon you're accustomed to and take for granted. You'll change your mind.
You know why you had to pick an American city as your example? Because you can't find an equivalent in Canada, where we have more sensible attitudes towards firearms. When I was younger and working my way through school and such I have lived in what people would probably call a "ghetto" of Toronto and the "ghetto" of Vancouver. Never really felt unsafe there.
But you sure are right about Detroit. They go about shooting each other on a regular basis there, and if you are the only one not carrying a gun, it could be trouble. That is a problem. Of course, even if you HAVE a gun, you are a hell of a lot less safe there than if you were gun-less in Toronto in Parkdale, Malvern, or Jane & Finch areas.
By the way, how many firearms do you own? I own a couple of rifles. I own them because it's fun to shoot them. They are locked up in a safe, with trigger locks, and the ammunition is separately locked up elsewhere. They're certainly not set up for defense. The point I am making here is that I am not anti-gun in any way. But I am anti gun-violence, and against people carrying loaded guns around for personal defense(*).
[size=-7](*) I make an exception for people who carry a Mare's Leg around in Northern Alberta, for bear defense.[/size]
