Some of the previous debaters bring up a good point, if we allow everyone to carry/own a gun, it would eventually lead to fights that are alot more disastrous then if guns were not involved. It's not just the common man that can snap at any given moment either. Regardless of how much training a person has, they're just as likely to snap and shoot without a second thought. On the other hand if we don't allow everyone, then regardless of how small a chance, there's still a chance, of being attacked by an armed person. Everyone would/do want a way to protect themselves, simply because of that chance.
Either way "We're damned if we do, damned if we don't"
Perhaps a better defense mechanism is in order for the average man/women. Instead of going in the offensive, we should go in the defensive.
Unfortunately things like that, in this time and age, is hardly day wear and is something that can hinder day to day tasks.