Not misguided, I just know my way around law and (generally) around criminals enough to play it safe instead of playing Fuck Around and Find Out with my life.

"The only people that get shot are those who do shady shit" isn't really true. Innocent people get shot all the time and they're just sitting there, at home, maybe watching TV or eating dinner. I could be walking home just listening to music when boom, bullet comes through me by some creepazoid rando. That's why it's good to be aware of your surroundings at all times.