I think the yahoos who like to parade AR-15s and similar in Target just like showing off their external death penises to the world, but the ones who are carrying holstered handguns around are doing it because they hope to be able to use them. It's pretty damn exciting to see another guy with a gun! He's probably a bad guy with a gun! I might have to shoot him! And, you know, if he's a shade or two darker then there's a pretty good chance that jury is going to believe that you had a right to be askeered for your life because there's a scary person with a gun!!!
None of these people are smart enough to think this through.