Yep. You can thank whackos ranging from terrorists to insane people shooting up schools and movie theaters for making people paranoid. Then you also have the CNN/Fox news/MSNBC 24/7 media constantly drumming up stories to scare people with so they can sell advertising.
Even for petty crimes the authorities will go out of their way to ruin your entire life unless you pay off the right people. I didn't pay a speeding ticket on time when I was 17 (turned in the fine money a few days late), was arrested, mugshotted, and now it's on the internet for eternity whenever someone googles my name.
I carry a concealed pistol on my person almost all the time when I'm at home stateside, but I truly fear the state & federal governments more than I do ordinary citizens. A pistol is scant protection from the real boogeymen.