I've been thinking about martial arts and how really it is useful these days since a lot of places will have criminals hiding firearms or in the U.S. some states have conceal carry.
Whilst it contains discipline and it is enjoyable to train in a club for, say Karate, I just think it might not be that useful in places where firearms are commonly held, all it really takes is for someone to take safety off, aim, pew pew and that's it.
I suppose I probably get this thinking from kung fu where it's seen more of an art form then actually being a serious bone breaking form of combat
I have done quite a few martial arts. Anyone who tells you you can learn X and fight against someone who is armed (knife or gun) is simply spouting B.S.
If someone pulls out a gun on you, give that person what he wants and pray you are not going to end up shot anyway.
If someone pulls out a knife on you, again, don't try to be a hero: give that person what he wants. Don't play hero, especially if the guy holding the knife seems to know what he is doing.
Martial arts are just a way to train your body and your mind, both trainings are valuable in and out of themselves. They will keep you calm in a tense situation, they may even save your life since no one wants to mess with a dude that keeps his cool. Ultimately, a street fight can be avoided just by looking calm and composed.