Most criminals aren't very smart (that's why the prisons are bursting at the seams) and they don't think too good. They take the easiest way and copy what other criminals do which seems to work until it doesn't work anymore. Over the years the types of armament they choose to carry has increased not because they just decide to carry a revolver instead of a baseball club or a shotgun instead of a pistol but because they act like the rest of us. They perceive a threat to their lives and activities and meet the treat by going upstream. That's just the way it is.

Just think for a moment, if a typical thug accosts you in the street demanding your wallet and he knows you are unarmed he's gonna be cool because he is in control and has nothing to worry about and will get what he wants and leave because if he shoots you the chances are increased he will get caught and spend more time in prison. If he accosts you and he knows you may be armed the chances are he will be very uncool and maybe shoot first and at the least relieve you of your gun. You say no that won't happen? What you gonna do draw on a guy who already has a bead on you?

I'm not making a value judgement here and of course the guy who accosts you may be a nut who just shoots you dead for fun, you never know but the odds are in your favor.

Just remember there are 2 sides to everything and everything can be spun to say what you want it to say true or not.