The reduction corresponds very closely to the number of concealed-handgun licenses issued. Large, densely populated urban areas benefit the most from concealed-carry laws. That translates to rapes prevented, injuries avoided, medical costs saved, and property protected. For robbery and assault, resistance by defenders armed with a gun leads to termination of the incident with the smallest chance of injury to the victim. While murder rates decline when either more men or more women carry concealed handguns, the drop is even greater among women than among men.
Rapists are particularly susceptible to the deterrence of a potentially armed woman.
In the 31 states where it is currently legal for citizens to carry a concealed handgun, there have been no documented instances of such acts by armed law-abiding citizens. In 1856, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that local law-enforcement had no duty to protect individuals, but only a general duty to enforce the laws. In Great Britain, handguns are outlawed, and possession of long guns is severely restricted. Yet, despite strict gun-control, as of 1995, rates for robbery, assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft in England and Wales had surpassed those here in the States. On average, for all 4 crimes, English rates were double U.S. rates.