I hear you, not all of the U.S. is like the wild-wild west. Some areas are rough though. I think it's nice to have the option to be able to protect yourself. I can't speak much to community building. There is a quote though

"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." - Robert A. Heinlein

If you think about it, it makes sense, and if the book 'More Guns, Less Crime' is correct, that might be the psychology behind why that is the case.

I don't know how a community can stand together with out basic principles. America, has had freedom of speech, and the second amendment for quite some time. I'm hoping these principles stick around. It's kind of the glue that holds U.S. together.