While I understand your point, there are a few things I think warrant consideration.
The assumption that the same cartridge and ammo capacity is needed in a "bad" area vs a "good" area is not necessarily true in my mind. Crime statistics can shed light on that as far as numbers of attackers in gang inhabited areas vs. Beverly Hills CA type area. I believe you are more inclined to encounter multiple attackers in the "hood" than an upscale residential area, or a nicely groomed downtown. So cartridge is the same, but capacity needs may not be.
When you look at the average number of shots fired in a self defense situation, it is pretty low I believe, as in like three shots per incident. So there is a flaw in the logic in general that more than a pocket gun or five shot revolver is needed. It's an average though, and there will always be extreme cases, so in general having more ammo is a good thing of coarse.
While criminals are not restricted to "bad areas', it is IMO erroneous to think that carrying a larger gun with more capacity is the answer when in a "bad area". It isn't. Avoiding the danger in the first place is the answer. If it's unavoidable, then you need to make life changes to avoid said areas, not firearm choices.
While a pocket gun is never the preferred defense weapon, it is often the size gun people choose because they know they will actually carry it. There's a lot of folks out there who don't want to carry a full size gun, or who have physical limitations restricting it. So one could easily make the argument that it is the preferred weapon, based on availability.
Always strive to carry the gun you would carry if going to a "bad" area, lethal force situations can happen whenever and wherever
Again, don't go into the bad area to begin with. It's a cliché on THR for a good reason. "Never go anywhere you wouldn't go without a gun".
one can't defend themself with a Glock 19/23, 1911, .... if all they have is a pocket gun
This is like saying you can't drive a race car if you don't drive a race car, and makes the assumption that everyone needs a race car, when they may not.
My personal opinion is that a person should carry whatever that person is comfortable with, and that is convenient enough that they will make carrying a gun a habit. That doesn't necessarily mean it will always be the same gun every single day. You just need to be familiar enough with that gun and cognizant of what gun you are carrying so use is automatic. For me that's a six round 45 acp. I carry it in every situation, not just in "bad areas". When winter is here and heavier clothing makes carrying a larger gun more convenient, then I carry it with an extended magazine because I do acknowledge that more ammo is better than less.
Who's correct here? We both are, and neither of us are. That's always the case with philosophy and opinions, because we are all different.
