For a lot of people the issue of arming themselves is not out of fear at all, but it's an issue of being prepared. I don't carry a firearm, but I do have a few in the house just incase anything does happen. I hope nothing ever does happen, but I'd much rather be prepared than not. If you assume that a criminal is just going to let you go after mugging you or not hurt you if you give them what they want, then you really need to talk to some mugging victims or get your head checked. You may not need to carry a firearm and I certainly don't, but we have no right to make that call for others or say how a person can or cannot choose to defend themselves.