Right, it imposes a deadly shell game on would-be attackers.
Zack, you can buy a gun in the US and wear it as a fashion accessory, wave it around with total irresponsibility. Of course, they'll throw you in jail on a brandish charge, but you can do it.
Most people prefer the "low profile" style of carrying it concealed.
Can you use it in self-defense? Of course, but there are rules governing this as well. The use of deadly force has to meet the level of threat as judged ex post by a jury of "reasonable" people. In many states, you also have a duty to retreat, meaning, de facto, that you can't use the firearm to defend your property if you have a safe exit.