Would you like some of the incidents I've personally experienced where I either wanted a gun or was glad I had one? "Rare" is subjective and entirely based on the environment, what is rare in the 'burbs is a Tuesday in the 'hood. A gun doesn't have to be fired to end a situation. My brother was nearly hit by a beat up old van some years ago while driving his STI. He honked as a warning, swerved, and evaded the crash. The driver of the van took offense to this and proceeded to try to ram him several times - he finally pulled into a service station with cameras and the van followed. Five guys jumped out, one with a screwdriver and one with a tire iron. My brother drew his sidearm and prepared to defend himself, holding the pistol at low-ready. The five potential assailants scampered back to the van and took off. No one was hurt, no shots were fired but the gun was absolutely the tipping point.