There doesn't need to be a good reason. The US has a large population that likes guns and or is afraid of the volume of guns in the country. You worry you might get robbed by someone with a gun, so you get a gun. More guns in the neighborhood, police more on edge when answering calls in that neighborhood, tragic news headlines go up.

Lots of money in that cycle, no reason for the powers that be to try to influence us to a better direction. It's like a domestic version of when we arm both sides in conflicts in other countries. Hah, instead of transforming our foreign policy, it transformed our local policy instead. There's a fun/depressing thought.

Anywho, I don't own a gun. I don't have enemies that seek to kill me for whatever reason, so I know someone breaking into my house is most likely looking to steal something. Ok, there's nothing I own that isn't either covered by insurance or worth taking a life / risking my own. Whether it's police or a rabid homeless person breaking into my home, I've got nothing to escalate the situation with.