As I said, "just the possibility that they're around " is key. Crime plummetted in FL a couple years ago after concealed-carry got easier. The perps didn't see any more weapons. They just knew that the good people of FL had applied and received the permits in droves.
From your #12: I can't think of anything to say to describe those many people out there I don't want to see carrying a gun,
Was it easy for Dianne Feinstein to take over your brain? ;-)