A few points that may need clarification.
This is not about Indians being able to defend themselves or not. Indian constitution (probably the most lousy piece of document in the world) still could not bring itself to deny Indians that right. The right to private defence against reasonable apprehension, for self and for protection of others and once ones own home and hearth is allowed but only so long as the reasonable apprehension exists. The private defence is unlimited ie. you can kill too.
If you are inclined towards more adventurous life then please note that for most crimes in India the conviction rate is like 2%. So my advise is you can get away with murder, easily, why not use it
.
Also while crime in India is pretty high but deflated for population and poverty it is miniscule except in certain perverted categories. In fact the whole of India knows that the conviction rate is 2% still nobody actually heeds my advise - damn. India is heaven on earth. Modi ji can testify to it. Don't forget the Venezula riots last year and Modi ji tendering anticipatory apology in Goa dated November 13, 2016.
Now that the needless is out of the way, the more pertinent question of what is reasonable in the case of private defence in USA which is the real point here.
A gent asked if I would worry about a knife or about my ordinary type somewhat wayward son. I am surprised this question is asked by an Indian to another Indian. Nearly all homes in India, all religions all castes have a kitchen and all have knives in there. Yet still no parent wants his kids handling or bearing a Rampuri chaku. Sikhs are legally allowed to bear Kripan but they as a community mind their Kripan in a very mature manner. Nearly all mountain based tribes and populations own Khukris and these are not even allowed to be borne in public, legally, still the usage is very mature and subdued. There really is no comparison here. People mind both the knives and their sons and Sunny Leone - all three are kept apart. USA does need to learn a lot.
I really fail to understand why US citizens and society tries to make it a debate on fundamental rights when it is really quite basic. Can they afford to lose 10000 lives to gun violence every year. Here are two inputs from wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_violence_in_the_United_States
I don't think guns can help US citizens with their self defence needs.