I don't doubt that some number of people use a gun in some way (display, discharge) to counter a perceived threat (please note "perceived"), but what we don't know, besides anything like an approximate number, is whether such use of firearm was needed or appropriate. Regarding life in the country, some people fear the relative isolation and have vague anxiety about being attacked, and there is some property crime out here; but as in the city, violent crime in the country seems to be most often between two people who know each other well. The reasonable defense is to politely keep one's distance from such people. I have noticed that in most of the few burglaries out here, the target is firearms, which are easily sold. When I first moved to my home, a manual post-hole shovel and a spade disappeared never to return. I figure the thief needed to build a fence.