I agree. It's also by extension a right to personal protection independent of, not neccesarily against, the government.

I use to be a volunteer firefighter so us and the local police have worked together on various scenes and though we aren't super tight I feel I can trust them to do their duties as cops safely and effectively.

That said I know what the realistic response times are. I also know that there have been break ins in the neighborhood, including attempts to get into my home. So among other basic security measures I have guns to protect my family and I during the time between a 911 call being made and the cops arriving. I also carry when I can. It's not about being macho.