I realise that the battle axe example is a bit flawed, but that's what it was - an example. In the states, everyone can weild a gun, sure - but not all states allow concealed carry. And with the justice system these days it seems like the criminal has more rights than the victim. Some guy breaks in to your house with a butcher knife in the middle of the night and you shoot him - chances are if you aren't charged with a firearms offence, the guy you shot will sue...if he survives.
Flood a society with guns, and there are two possible outcomes - chaos or relative order. If everyone has a gun, the armed criminal loses his advantage. Unfortunately, alot of people are stupid. I wouldn't trust most of the people I know with a gun, and the ideal outcome is generally not what happens when those involved are morons.