One thing I consider - historically, calamity has come when it's not expected.
It's nice to assume that the military can handle our fighting problems. But, if problems ever generated globally, or internally, that the military did not have manpower to cover, I'd be more than willing to do what I need to do.
Also - just average crime control - police are not obligated by law to protect citizens. They probably will if it's available, but generally they come to crime scenes after the fact. Some people indicate that police offer provide the service of a historian, recording the event after the fact.
The average police response time to an emergency call is about 5 minutes. I think that may be a significant reason that many people want a gun.
And it would be unwise to wait for the emergency to find out that a gun should have been on hand earlier.
And possibly likewise to prepare for attacks on US communities from outside or inside the borders.
These are a few things that came to remembrance.
Another thing that comes to mind - there are quite a few people that want guns, but are unwilling to pay the money or take the time to get proper training and practice.
Out of my own spere of acquaintance, most people I know do not go to a range to practice nor do they rotate the magazines in their weapons to maintain the spring tension. Only one friend routinely maintains his weapons and practices.
My theory is, if you can't put your gun in "red" condition and reload it blindfolded, you have not practiced enough. "you" means "them" not you if you know what I mean.
M. D. Vaden of Oregon
http://www.mdvaden.com