Weapons do not have to be guns. A dozen angry citizens who will rush to help the guy being attacked is a good idea. The big problem today is everyone runs away from their responsibility to defend each other. Yes, this is the first century where people do not carry weapons, and in my opinion it is not becoming a better one. But what makes it that way is the avoidance of social responsibility to act.

Ask any police officer in Toronto, they will tell you the community is the problem. When they act it's racism, when they arrest it's wrongfull, when they charge it is thrown out of court or a minor penalty issued. No consequences means more crime. Unless the community act together to stop children becoming thugs, the problem will get worse. There is little or no real discipline in schools, and neighbours are not minding what the kids are up to. If you try to discipline kids you get accused of child abuse and assault.