I seriously doubt they were being intentionally hyperbolic. It's the specific reason they gave for not wanting to move to the US.

Despite there being much higher violent crime rates, the average American doesn't see it, doesn't experience it, and isn't involved with it in anyway. If it were as bad as you/they think it is, we would have declared martial law by now. They're not making any valid point, they're continuing with hearsay. The only reason you've come to their defense is because they're not Americans and you feel you have more in common with them, your brethren so to speak. I've seen this sentiment year after year on Reddit and it's the same shit everyday.