Yael, i would agree with alot of fluff being in FMA, but that goes for any art...i would not go as far as to say that ALL FMA would not work when it really matters. I'd say that both you and i know of people, as well as certain systems that would more than hold their own when it really matters
As for carrying around a ton of weapons, or being paranoid, well, i don't indorse that eaither. Like Xuan Mai Ho mentioned, awareness is useful...a stainless steel mug works, just as a pocket knife, tactical pen, and / or kobotan pepperspary could go a long ways. I wouldn't be above firearms training eaither, if for no other reason than to learn about the weapon.