What are the odds of getting shot at while doing The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia?

What an idiotic question, I am positive you are more apt to getting shot in your suburban development...

You're kidding, right?  Philadelphia has some dangerous neighborhoods, but there are plenty of nice parts as well, and the area you're in for the history tour is one of the nicest.  I've lived there for almost three years and I've never had any problems.

As close to non-existent as you are likely to get. Not only is the area covered by CCTV and federal park police to prevent terrorism, it borders some of the nicer areas of Philly and has the highest concentration of Philadelphia police officers in the entire city. It is literally one of the most secure outdoor areas in SE Pennsylvania. I did the tour about five years ago when I was working in New Jersey. Outside of Times Square in Manhattan and possibly around the White House I have never or sensed that many police officers in such a small area. There were as many police officers at some locations as there were tourists. Unless you have an enemy who is both stupid and hellbent on making a public example of your death, the chances of your being shot are equal to or less than your being shot in your own bed by a complete stranger for no reason. In other words,it's not going to happen.

Inconsequentially low. This crime map of Philadelphia [1] shows that there have been 97 crimes in Center City East, Philadelphia, PA. Most crimes in this area - usually thefts and not shootings - occur closer towards Center City with a sparse amount in Olde City. There have been virtually no crimes in the Constitutional Walking Tour area (~5th & Market) as far as the data goes so you have very little to worry about. 1. http://www.trulia.com/crime/#!philadelphia-pa/14/39.95101,-75.15377/Philadelphia,PA,Point_Breeze/

The walking tour is in center city Philly, one of the safest areas in the country, so I would say your odds of getting shot at are less than 1%.  I can't say there is a zero percent chance because you never know, but based on historical trends of violence and reported shots fired, you're safe on this tour.  http://Philly.com has an interactive map that shows murders and violence by the year located on it, if you're that concerned you should search for that map for your proof.  The bottom line is that the city needs the tourist dollar to survive, and the tourists come for the history and the arts of center city, so it is the most protected area. Now if the question was "what are the odds a bum will ask me for spare change?" I would give the opposite answer and say that is 100%.  Enjoy your tour.

Odds are pretty slim because that area is pretty safe. Lots of cops/security in that area. And its a commercial district vs residential. Plus you'll be in day light. The only way you will get shot in Philly is if you are either in the wrong place at the wrong time or you got into a situation with someone you shouldn't have.

Jeez. I've lived in Philly for more than 25 years, and I only got shot at once. I was riding my bike and I heard the shot and saw someone standing on the steps to a house with a gun in his hand. I don't know for sure he was shooting at me, but I pedaled really hard to get out of there. Of course, I've heard many other gun shots in these years, and there have been people murdered in my neighborhood. But there are only around 300 or so murders a year in Philly, plus or minus, over the last five years. Most of those murders don't happen in the touristy areas. I don't think it's something worth worrying about. Of course, the 300 murders doesn't tell you much, since the real data you need is murders per one hundred thousand population. That is a rate you can compare to your area. You may well find your area is more dangerous.