I would feel safer without a gun than with a gun. If I have a gun and a robber enters my house, that is a reason for him to shoot me. He'll run this thought through his head, "Crap! He's got a gun, either I shoot or I get the hell out of here". Those are less options from when I don't have a gun, and therefore a higher chance of him shooting at me. In addition to that, you should have an alarm system installed at your house. That will spook a robber more often than not.
With regards to rebellion: The United States is losing its lead because it is not producing engineers. Once upon a time, the U.S. was able to hold foreign engineers within borders because the U.S. was the place to be if you wanted cutting edge technology. With growing economies such as China and India (which happen to be the major source of foreign engineers), less and less immigrant scientists/engineers are staying within borders. Most are coming to attend college, then leaving back to their country where their family reside. The U.S. has not lost its reign, yet. It is possible, with an increased focus on math and science, to regain the lead and solidify its position as the #1 country in the world. However, if there is a rebellion, those chances go from good to slim-zero.