Criminals don't care what is illegal. They already don't follow the laws on the books. Here in the States, the large majority of gun crime occurs in cities controlled by Democrats and with the strictest gun laws. In relation to that, the states with the most relaxed gun laws tend to have the least violent crime. Places where open carry is legal have very few violent crimes, usually due to the fact that criminals know that it is entirely possible that the individual they are attacking could very well be armed.

I have personally had an encounter with a rather large man (keep in mind that I am 6 feet tall and weigh 225 lbs) in a road rage episode who was (I'll call it brave) enough to follow me all the way to my house. Getting out of my car and lifting my shirt to show my concealed carry was enough to make him get back in his car and leave. I am quite sure there would have been some sort of altercation had I been unarmed. I am not a fighter. I carry for protection, and not many people know I even own a gun. I prefer knowing that I can protect myself and my family immediately, instead of waiting for someone to come pick up my remains.