Where I live is very rural. It takes an hour to get to town. Shasta is a very large county and about 70% rural.
I know a lady who is a 911 dispatcher.
She told me that, at certain times of the day, it could take her up to 45 minutes to get a cop to me, even code 3. From midnight till 5 am she has two cars on the road, with one deputy each car.
The Sheriff here gives permits to carry to citizens who can show they're properly trained and can pass the same DOJ backgroud check that his officers pass.
I have carried a pistol, legally and illegally, for most of my adult life.
Very few people know I have it in my pocket. I even forget I have it sometimes.
I consider it like a seat belt; you always put it on, and you pray you never need it. But if you do - nothing else is going to do the job.
I have only considered the use of it against a human one time - and me having it prevented a lot of pain for me and wifey.