First off, I don't understand why you would need to have a gun here to feel safe. I live an hour from Philadelphia, go there 1-2 times a month to visit our son at Temple. I also live about 10-12 miles from the Amish shooting.
Some people carry a gun because they have "little man syndrome", and I don't mean pecker size lol. I work with a few that have them because it makes them feel like a big shot, and knowing them, there is one that should NOT have one.
I have no problems with people having a weapons permit, but they should be a little harder to get. I was brought up with a Dad that was a collector. At one time, we had around 105 weapons in the house, all locked up, with an alarm system. We also had a napoleon cannon from the Civil war that we did reenactments with.
Between training from my Dad, 6 years of National Guards, I have plenty of experience with weapons, but I still choose not to carry one.
The U.S. is a violent culture. We have the same video games, movies and music as many other countries, but they are not violent, we are. Figure that one out. Could it be we have a bigger drug problem? More disparity between the greedy rich and the middle class/poor? To many broken families? How 'bout that little fellow running the Country that feels he can invade a Country for Preemptive reasons? One could argue for any one of these issues.
When the right to have arms was written, it was for a quick assembly of a militia in case of need again. (not for fear of natives lol) But did they foresee a gun firing hundreds or rounds/sec when they wrote it?
I repeat, I have no problems with people who need to carry weapons getting a permit, but there should be better screening.
You will NEVER get the guns away from the people that want to use them to commit a crime. Drugs are illegal, and look how easy it is to get them. Any way, points to ponder.
your last sentence is my point to a T ..