Do you feel the need to be prepared to defend yourself where you live?
This is quite an interesting topic and will certainly differ based on where you live.
Living in the United States where gun violence/knife violence can become an issue or fights in general, I am always prepared for something to happen, whether it does or not. So I do try to carry a bit of a weapon on me when I go out. Call me paranoid. But you'll feel the same if it happens to you.
As I said to sir @despect;. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.