The decision to carry a weapon, any weapon, is an individual one (although everyone carries potential weapons) regardless of the reason it is made (hunting, target shooting, etc.).
That decision is literally one of life or death. YOU are taking into your hands the power to take the life of another living being -- it's not the cop on the corner, not the soldier in the mountains -- it's YOU.
You must be responsible for the use made of that weapon. You must be sure that it is used correctly and safely. If the use you make of it goes awry, you are at fault even if no one is injured or killed.
The decision to go armed, whether with a sword, a knife, a gun, a garrotte, a blackjack, a cane, a slung shot, or just your hands and feet is yours. You make it and you take the responsibility for that decision.