Sheriff departments provide crime stats for their county. The number of violent crimes, even in relatively safe areas, is pretty high. For example, in San Jose

Sheriff departments provide crime stats for their county. The number of violent crimes, even in relatively safe areas, is pretty high. For example, in San Jose there will be about 30k violent incidents this year. With 1M population, it's 3% probability of meeting a drug addict with a knife in your kitchen. Unless the homeowner is a ninja, he or she will be at mercy of that junkie. Guns aren't a hobby, but an annoying necessity. Edit: 3% means "once every 30 years".