When it comes to deterring crime and defending against criminals, individuals are ultimately responsible for themselves and their loved ones. Depending solely on police emergency response means relying on the telephone as the only defensive tool. Too often, citizens in trouble dial 911 . . . and die. Statistics confirm the obvious truth that the police in America cannot prevent violent crime. 96,122 rapes.1 All those crimes were unprevented and undeterred by the police and the criminal justice system.
Many criminals use firearms to commit their crimes.
For example, in 1997 criminals did so in 68 percent of murders and 40 percent of robberies.2 Thus criminals either have or can obtain firearms. Practically speaking, it makes little sense to disarm the innocent victims while the criminals are armed. It is especially silly to disarm the victims when too often the police are simply unable to protect them. We investigate crime after the fact. Americans increasingly believe, however, that all they need for protection is a telephone.