Actually, I would also feel uncomfortable living as you do "having" to carry firearms to feel safe. That's the reason I"m so amazed by that sentiment.
The key here is we have no purpose to carry guns here in Canada. So, nothing to be uncomfortable about. That's my overall point.
I've been to almost all the worst parts of town in every major city in Canada, the worst thing that happens is someone asks you for a dollar.
We had a bank robber here for about 1yr. going to banks with a note in hand walking away with a few dollars each time. It's actually pretty funny.
And, shootings (involving innocent people) is very rare, the last one was a TTC (subway) attendant. That guy will be hunted down like a dog, and won't see the light of day for several years when they get him. And, believe me they'll chase him to the ends-of the earth until they get him. That's why we don't have much crime here. You will not get away with it, and they'll eventually catch you even if they have to leave the country to snatch your a**, especially when violence is involved.
I would argue law enforcement should be adequate to keep crimes at bay so people can feel safe walking the streets without a piece stuffed in their shorts, otherwise what's the point of having a police force, why not have a vigilante system of justice?
So after reading the responses, I'm not debating whether or not you should carry a gun, it seems to me it's quite obvious you have to, but it also appears there is something majorly wrong with law enforcement and the justice system over there, it could be financing, I don't know but it's very apparent there is something not quite right. Outside looking in anyway.
Logically, if I had to carry a gun that would say to me that my whole family needs to carry guns too. Does that sound normal? Seems kind of 3rd. world-ish.