To carry or not is up to the individual and the best I can recommend is much what you are doing; get as much information as you can and then decide what seems best for you. I carry nearly everywhere but that is due to my beliefs and experiences. My father is the exact opposite for different reasons.
There are many fears and misconceptions regarding carrying a firearm, both for and against. Taking classes and reading some of the many good books on the subject would be very beneficial to helping you decide. One of the best books I found is called "In the Gravest Extreme" by Massad Ayoob. It is fairly old but the ideas and concepts are still very relavent. It goes very much into the mindset one should have and how one should act when carrying a gun. It also talks of the downside which is also very important in order to make an informed decision. You could also check into taking a CCW class if your state requires them, or at least seeing if the instructor will let you sit in. Even though you are under age, that shouldn't mean you can't get educated. Just remember, whatever you decide is what is best for you at the time and don't let others shame you otherwise.
There are many fears and misconceptions regarding carrying a firearm, both for and against. Taking classes and reading some of the many good books on the subject would be very beneficial to helping you decide. One of the best books I found is called "In the Gravest Extreme" by Massad Ayoob. It is fairly old but the ideas and concepts are still very relavent. It goes very much into the mindset one should have and how one should act when carrying a gun. It also talks of the downside which is also very important in order to make an informed decision. You could also check into taking a CCW class if your state requires them, or at least seeing if the instructor will let you sit in. Even though you are under age, that shouldn't mean you can't get educated. Just remember, whatever you decide is what is best for you at the time and don't let others shame you otherwise.