I live on the worst side of town and I never needed a gun out, you just need to mind your own buisness and lock your door, keep your windows latches and blinds shut. Most criminals carry a pocket knife, very rarely will they have a gun which is usually stuffty pistol with a few bullets. Most likely they aren't going to shoot you because its not worth it to prison for murder, unless you are gangster.
Only once did I have a run in with a gang. Apparently they got pissed at me for painting over their graffiti on my garage and came by to pound on my window and yell at me. Turns out they were a punch of wannabe mexican kids who ran off. They are in juvy now.