It really sounds roached living in fear...having to carry a firearm for personal protection. I think I may have held a gun once on a school trip or something...and only a slug gun at that. Only takes a moment of emotional explosion, anger or similar and bang...you've killed someone.
America doesn't sound like the place of liberty and shit as we all thought when growing up. I've always wanted to travel America...but with reservation. Saying that though I hope to finally get to LA later this month :)