Keep in mind that police officers (who make their living with handguns as central tools) only have about an average of 25% accuracy on target during gun fights.
None of the police officers that I have known (and some of them are pretty gunny) would agree that the handgun is a central tool. They will also tell you that most of their brothers are not very competent with a handgun.
But your point is still valid. Being rural doesn't guarantee safety from multiple attackers.
