We're all vulnerable. Being a good American is synonymous with being afraid. In God we trust. Protection from those who don't fear God. People want to be safe and buy guns that get stolen while they're at work so more people buy more guns to protect themselves from all the guns on the street.
Governments do the same.
Being afraid is human. Being a coward is stupid. When fear limits who we'd know or what we'd do, it's stupid. Then again, my therapist said I had a terrifying lack of fear. You never see disaster coming.