They aren't quite as rare as all that. I live near a city that has had 2 race riots in recent decades and both times pale skin types were dragged from their vehicles and beaten extremely bad.
A handgun would have fixed that.
I don't see what you are talking about...nobody there fought there way to a rifle, nor would they have in that scenario. A handgun beats the heck out of a "rifle" (16"+ barrel) inside of a car anyway.