When I lived back in North Carolina and at times here in California back in the late 90's, I used to open carry my pistol. I was never seen as a threat nor a target from anyone.

While TV and Movies are not reality, even if we do get rid of Gun and reduce their numbers by say 70%, we will always find more exotic ways to kill (Poison, High Explosives, Cars, Bows & Arrows. (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/30/nj-man-charged-with-killing-another-using-bow-and-arrow-after-fistfight/).

"I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it." – Clint Eastwood

People today acquire guns as they would acquire a camera, and treat their gun as if it was a camera, with no accountability whatsoever for the consequences of their negligence.

Crowd gatherings such as fairs and parties are all about balancing "risk" and "reward".
The "reward" has always been, and will continue to be, to meet other people and exchange opinions on various subjects.
The "risk" is to be exposed to the anger of a drunk person who assaults you.
Years ago, you would see that drunk person walk towards you and you'd have a chance to avoid their fist or their knife.
Today, the use of gun allowed the same people to stand away at a distance and still hit you. Before you even understand that you are being targeted, you're already hit and bleeding.
Years ago, the "reward" was higher than the "risk", and the risk of getting in the middle of a fight was manageable.
Today, the proliferation of guns is such that the risk far exceeds the reward, and has become unmanageable because of the fire power available to each and everyone.
It's very naive to believe that a gun at your belt will prevent you from being hit; it may even make you the preferred target of the shooter (see http://www.npr.org/2013/01/29/170456129/armed-goo....

The reality is that the proliferation of guns has turned America in an gigantic unsafe environment for its own population, where American people have become a threat to each other. The result is that the freedom of some have over thrown the freedom of others; more and more people don't participate in crowd gatherings anymore by fear of getting caught in the middle of a shooting, hurting both communities and businesses (except the gun industry).

The "Gun Appreciation Day" is a perfect example of this: despite high security measures and the goal of peaceful gatherings to demonstrate gun safety, 5 people have been wounded by gunshots. On the other hand, nobody was hurt during the nationwide gatherings of pro-gun control people, who didn't bring along guns.
When you put a gun in any environment, you make this environment unsafe for everyone.

If someone has been placed on a 14-day hold (5250), they are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms under California law, and for life under federal law. (California Welfare and Institutions Code, sections 8100 – 8108