I don't think she was *made* helpless. I think many times in life you just *are* helpless. Again, I tend to think if someone wants to do something bad to you, then odds are pretty good they can get away with it. (Assuming you don't have a bunch of body guards, etc.)
Assuming someone wants to do harm to you
specifically.
Since you seem to agree that most violent crimes are random, in order to protect against one, you would need to be a) armed and b) prepared at all times. Again, I wouldn't bring a .45 into Fazoli's on the slim odds that I'm going to get shot in there.
If we can agree that move violent crimes are random, if you're not the first victim, this will allow you more reaction time. Also, anyone carrying a concealed weapon is unlikely to be carrying a .45. (I know this is nitpicky). A person is more likely to be carrying small arm, most likely some kind of semiautomatic .22 or at most a .380.
There are other issues at play as well. How well would an average hangdun owner do in such a stressful situation? Would they be able to stop an assailant without killling an innocent bystander? Etc.
Most states that allow concealed carry have fairly tough requirements for acquiring the permit/license to do so, including clean records, psych. evaluations, and/or training. I would contend that one or more of these requirements sets concealed carry owners a bit above other handgun owners.
How would they handle the stressful situation? It's hard to say, I'll admit. Would they be able to stop the assailant without injuring or killing a bystander? The "rules" of gun safety include not pointing the weapon at anything you don't intent to shoot, and knowing what's beyond your target. In a stressful situation it may be easy to forget these. I would think though that the type of person allowed to carry a concealed weapon has the presence of mind to do so safely.
"It's great how you can control 60 musicians with one just stick-- I can't control these fuckers with two!" -- Ian Paice
