I lived in New York City for over forty years. This included the time it was considered a specially dangerous place, too. I worked for the Postal Service, a lot of the time at night, and later on a roving assignment in some of the less-attractive parts of Manhattan, which included walking to and from work through Central Park (one of the better neighborhoods, actually).
I never carried, or even owned, firearms, although I am a member of the NRA to support the right of those who should and can carry. I never found myself in a situation where I "needed" a gun. I did find a few times that the knife I was carrying sent a clear enough message that I never had to actually use it on anyone. Junkies really don't like personal confrontations.
Knives are so useful as tools, that I carry one even when I'm sure I'm not going to need a weapon. But I do like to have a small weapon handy, because you never really know.
Recently, I carry a small keychain knife, my Leatherman Supertool in the belt pouch, a BM Emerson large black knife in my right back pocket, and a Sebenza in my right front pocket. You never know when one of these year-round Canada geese is going to go berserk and attack. (Don't laugh, it's happened.)
Once it escalates to firearms, though, that's a different story. These days, you have to cover yourself legally, so support the NRA, and get out there and vote for the Republican Presidential candidate of your choice. Or don't come crying when the Gore White House orders the BATF to confiscate metal knives in public eating establishments.
And remember what Robert Heinlein wrote in the book "Starship Troopers" -- when one of the boots asked the sergeant why they were training with knives when they would have really dangerous weapons once they went into combat, Sergeant Zim answered him, that "There are no dangerous weapons, only dangerous men."
