Who cares about any practical need, anyway? A gun in my belt tells me I'm responsible, trusted, capable, level-headed - all kinds of things good for my mental image. It puts pleasant thoughts in my head and brings courteous greetings to my fellow citizens.
There is nothing unhealthy that comes from honest citizens keeping and bearing. To the contrary, the practice of armed citizenship is therapeutic.
Just my opinion. I'm still a whippersnapper at just shy of 60. Personally, I plan to carry, ride motorcycles, and singlehand sailboats until I'm either lost at sea or make a personal determination to hang up my spurs. I'll be honest with myself and I won't endanger others, I just don't want to be marginalized for having more experience than others think I should.
And fly airplanes. It's been a while, but I might get back into that at some point.