It is an issue that at least in South America is much debated, in general weapons are only legally allowed to police officers, officers, military, among a few others.
Although it is common to see that many times criminal groups are even better armed than police forces.
But having a weapon in your hands gives a sense of power, definitely, and this power must be channeled with a lot of responsibility so that disasters don't happen.
This process of teaching how to use them is necessary, because it gives more sense of responsibility over this object, which as you say, is not harmful as long as it is not in the wrong hands.
Let's say that everything is relative.