Don't suppose distance to a crime ridden country has ANY part in that?
It may, yet New Mexico has half the rate of armed robberies than Texas and a much lower rate than South Carolina. In any case, one can't discount easy access to handguns being a significant factor. But the argument remains that the contention that being more armed makes us safer is a myth.
I'd rather be armed when some asshole breaks into my house than unarmed.
Alarms are an alternative to you actually shooting someone.