Yeah, pretty much. You pays your money and takes your chances. I have no problem with law abiding citizens carrying guns. And in some instances, they no doubt can prove effective. But even with a gun, you're still working with pretty much the same odds.
Really. If this actress had a gun, she might have been killed.
Are you a liberal, 'cause you really sound like one?
Actually, with a gun, your odds are better. Some researchers collected statistics on people who reacted to muggers in different ways and what was most likely to happen to them.
The victims who resisted with a knife were the most likely to get killed.
The victims who resisted with no weapon were the next most likely to get killed.
The victims who did not resist at all were next on the list.
The victims who resisted with a gun were the least likely to get killed.
Just remember, even if you don't resist at all the criminal might still kill you. Having a gun greatly improves your chances of surviving an encounter.
Also, criminals won't always have the element of surprise. The "suddenly appear and point a gun" thug is not the only kind there is. Usually, there will be some warning sign - people approaching in a threatening or suspicious manner, footsteps behind you, something like that. Odds are, you will have a warning of danger and time to draw your weapon.
Plus, criminals aren't exactly the best of shots. I don't think the average criminal practices shooting (including quickly drawing a concealed weapon) every week like I do.