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Fight Back! Like Your Life Depends On It!
The amount of crime that happens each day varies depending on several factors, including location, time of day, and type of crime. However, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, there were an average of 4,566 violent crimes and 28,737 property crimes reported each day in the United States in 2021. This equates to a violent crime occurring every 24.6 seconds and a property crime occurring every 4.1 seconds.
The most common violent crimes reported in 2021 were aggravated assault (69.1%), robbery (32.1%), and murder (1.4%). The most common property crimes reported in 2021 were larceny theft (75.5%), burglary (17.4%), and motor vehicle theft (7.1%).
It is important to note that these statistics only reflect crimes that are reported to law enforcement. Many crimes go unreported, so the actual number of crimes that occur each day is much higher.
It is also difficult to track how many people fight back against crime each day. However, several organizations track crime statistics and self-defense incidents. For example, the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is a national survey conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics that collects data on crimes that are not reported to law enforcement. The NCVS found that in 2020, there were an estimated 25.4 million victims of violent crime and 68.2 million victims of property crime. Of these victims, 1.6 million (6.3%) violent crime victims and 14.3 million (21.1%) property crime victims reported that they fought back against the offender. So again, whatever numbers they report, are far lower than actual.
Regardless of the accuracy of these statistics, it seems you rarely hear about these millions of cases. There are a few reasons why the media doesn’t often report on victims fighting back against attackers.
- Violent crime is more newsworthy. When someone is attacked, it is a shocking and disturbing event. The media is interested in reporting on these events because they are likely to capture the attention of viewers or readers.
- Victims fighting back can be seen as a threat to their narrative. The media often portrays victims as helpless and in need of protection. When a victim fights back, it challenges this narrative and can make people feel uncomfortable.
- It can be difficult to get victims to talk about their experiences. Many victims of violence are reluctant to talk about what happened to them. They may feel ashamed, embarrassed, or traumatized. This can make it difficult for the media to get their stories if they wanted to.
Despite these challenges, it is important to report on victims fighting back. These stories can provide hope and inspiration to other victims, and they can help to change the way we think about violence. It absolutely happens way more than you think.
Here are some examples of stories that the media should report on, but fails to do so:
- Stories about victims who have successfully fought back against their attackers.
- Stories about victims who are using their experiences to help others.
- Articles about the challenges that victims face in the aftermath of violence.
By reporting on these stories, the media can help to raise awareness of the issue of violence and provide support to victims.
Successful Instances of Fighting Back
There are many instances of people successfully fighting back against serial killers. In some cases, the victims were able to escape by fighting back physically, while in other cases, they were able to use their wits to outsmart the killer.
Unfortunately, even the best intentions sometimes fall short. The case of Kitty Genovese is one of the most famous cases of bystander apathy in history. On March 13, 1964, Genovese, a 28-year-old bartender, was stabbed to death outside her apartment building in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City. While she was fighting back, her screams for help were reportedly heard by dozens of people. None of whom intervened. However, there have also been several newsworthy cases where victims were able to fight back and survive.
Here are a few other examples:
- Carol DaRonch: In 1975, Carol DaRonch was abducted by serial killer Ted Bundy while she was at a shopping mall in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bundy forced her into his car and drove her to a remote location, where he attempted to rape her. DaRonch was able to fight back and escape from Bundy, and she later helped to identify him as her attacker.
- Karen Willett: In 1982, Karen Willett was abducted by serial killer Henry Lee Lucas while she was hitchhiking in Texas. Lucas took Willett to a remote location and attempted to kill her. Willett was able to fight back and escape from Lucas, and she later helped to identify him as her attacker.
- Caroline Pierce was attacked by the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway, in 1982. She was able to fight back and escape, and her description of her attacker led to the eventual arrest of this serial killer.
- Kara Koester was attacked by the BTK Killer, Dennis Rader, in 1977. She was able to fight back and escape, and her description of her attacker helped lead to his eventual arrest.
- Michelle Martinko: In 1974, 17-year-old Michelle Martinko was abducted and stabbed to death in Iowa. However, she was able to fight back and scratch her attacker, leaving behind DNA evidence that eventually led to his arrest.
- Konerak Sinthasomphone / Tracy Edwards: On May 27, 1991, 14-year-old Konerak Sinthasomphone escaped from serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer‘s apartment and was found naked and bleeding by two women, Sandra Smith and Nicole Childress. The women called the police, and two officers, John Balcerzak, and Joseph Gabrish, arrived on the scene. While investigating, Dahmer convinced the officers that Sinthasomphone was his adult lover, and the officers returned the boy to Dahmer’s apartment.
Jeffrey Dahmer was ultimately caught on July 22, 1991. He had picked up a 24-year-old man named Tracy Edwards at a bar and invited him back to his apartment. Edwards was able to escape and flag down a police car. When the police arrived at Dahmer’s apartment, they found a Polaroid photo album of Dahmer’s victims and the severed head of one of his victims in the refrigerator. Sinthasomphone was also found dead, dismembered, and stored in Dahmer’s freezer. Dahmer was arrested and confessed to 17 murders.
These are just a few examples of people who have successfully fought back against serial killers. Most of these cases were before many self-defense weapons became popular for civilian use, such as pepper spray or stun guns. But even now, far too few people regularly carry self-defense weapons. In each of these cases, the victim’s courage and determination helped to prevent them from becoming another victim. Who knows how many more could have been saved by a simple keychain pepper spray, a stun gun, or a CCW firearm?
It is important to remember that fighting back against a serial killer may not always be successful. However, it is important to know that it is absolutely possible to fight back and that fighting back can increase your chances of survival. Why would you not fight back?
If you are ever attacked by someone, the most important thing is to fight back with everything you have. Do not give up, and do not give in. Your life may depend on it.
How many successful defensive uses of firearms are reported per year in the US?
The number of successful defensive uses of a firearm per year in the US is a matter of debate. Estimates vary widely, from as low as 55,000 to as high as 4.7 million. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), which is conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, estimates that there are about 166,900 defensive gun uses per year. However, the NCVS does not include all defensive gun uses, as it only surveys a sample of the population.
Other studies have found higher estimates of defensive gun use. A 2012 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that there were an estimated 2.5 million defensive gun uses per year. However, the CDC study has been criticized for its methodology.
The truth is, it is difficult to know for sure how many defensive gun uses occur each year. The best estimate is probably somewhere between the NCVS estimate and the CDC estimate. However, even the lower estimate of 166,900 defensive gun uses per year is significant. It means that guns are used defensively far more often than they are used in crimes.
It is important to note that not all defensive firearm uses even involve firing a shot. In many cases, simply brandishing a gun is enough to deter an attacker. In other cases, a gun may be fired but no one is injured.
The use of firearms for self-defense is a contentious and often polarizing issue. While some argue that firearms in the hands of responsible citizens can deter and prevent violent crimes, others contend that the risk of accidents and misuse outweighs any potential benefits. However, the reality is that firearms can and have been used successfully for self-defense.
There are many examples of individuals protecting themselves and their loved ones from harm using firearms. Moreover, the right to bear arms for self-defense is enshrined in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. While it is important to prioritize safety and responsible gun ownership, the bottom line is that firearms are absolutely a valuable tool for protecting oneself and others in dangerous situations. Just as our founding fathers designed.
The fact remains, they are used defensively more often than they are used in crimes. However, it is important to remember that guns are dangerous weapons and should only be used as a last resort.
How many successful defensive uses of pepper spray or stun guns are reported per year in the US?
There is no definitive answer to the question of how many successful defensive uses of pepper spray or stun guns occur in the US each year either. This is because there is no centralized reporting system for these types of incidents. However, several studies have attempted to estimate the number of defensive uses of these weapons.
One study, conducted by the National Institute of Justice in 2007, found that there were an estimated 2.4 million defensive uses of pepper spray and stun guns in the US each year. However, again this study was based on a survey of a small sample of people, and the actual number of defensive uses may be higher.
Another study, conducted by the Harvard Injury Control Research Center in 2013, found that there were an estimated 1.3 million defensive uses of pepper spray and stun guns in the US each year. This study was based on a survey of a larger sample of people, and it is considered to be more reliable than the NIJ study.
It is important to note that these studies only estimate the number of defensive uses of pepper spray and stun guns that are reported to the police. There are so many more defensive uses that are never reported. People just defend themselves, walk away and take the win, without filing a police report.
In addition to the studies mentioned above, there are several anecdotal reports of people who have successfully used pepper spray or stun guns to defend themselves from attackers. These reports suggest that these self-defense weapons can be effective in deterring or stopping an attacker.
However, it is important to remember that pepper spray and stun guns are not foolproof. They can be ineffective if the attacker is wearing protective clothing or if the spray or stun gun is not used properly. If you are considering using pepper spray or a stun gun for self-defense, it is important to get training on how to use them properly and practice becoming proficient. You should also make sure that the weapon you choose is legal in your state.
As always, be safe and be prepared.
