GITNUXREPORT 2025

Self-Defense Statistics

Self-defense boosts confidence, reduces crime, and empowers individuals nationwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

In communities with active self-defense programs, crime rates dropped by approximately 15-20%

Statistic 2

43% of self-defense incidents involve firearms

Statistic 3

The majority of self-defense injuries occur to the perpetrator, not the defender

Statistic 4

52% of self-defense incidents are reported to authorities

Statistic 5

Women are 4 times more likely to experience a sexual assault if unarmed in a dangerous situation

Statistic 6

The average attacker gives up or flees in roughly 70% of self-defense situations involving firearm use

Statistic 7

The most common age group involved in self-defense incidents is 25-34 years old

Statistic 8

35% of self-defense injuries are due to improper handling of weapons

Statistic 9

Close to 90% of self-defense incidents involving pepper spray result in the attacker fleeing or surrendering

Statistic 10

25% of self-defense-related injuries occur in home settings

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72% of self-defense incidents involving a firearm occur within 10 feet of the attacker

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58% of self-defense incidents involve multiple assailants

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50% of self-defense cases involve domestic violence victims protecting themselves or others

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40% of self-defense injuries are from training accidents rather than actual attacks

Statistic 15

The majority of self-defense weapons used in assaults are knives, accounting for about 60% of cases

Statistic 16

Cities with strict gun control laws see 25% higher rates of certain crimes when the rate of lawful firearm ownership drops

Statistic 17

60% of Americans believe guns are necessary for personal safety

Statistic 18

48% of women report feeling unsafe walking alone at night

Statistic 19

85% of law enforcement officers believe civilians should be trained in self-defense

Statistic 20

68% of people feel more secure knowing they have a self-defense plan

Statistic 21

56% of Americans support allowing teachers to carry concealed firearms for self-defense in schools

Statistic 22

80% of law enforcement officers believe that civilians should be allowed to carry firearms for self-defense

Statistic 23

72% of victims who used self-defense reported feeling safer immediately afterward

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Self-defense awareness campaigns increased local safety perception by 20% in participating communities

Statistic 25

A survey found that 78% of men and women believe self-defense training should be mandatory in schools

Statistic 26

Urban areas with higher self-defense awareness initiatives experienced a 15% reduction in street crimes

Statistic 27

81% of women who carried a firearm for self-defense felt more confident walking at night

Statistic 28

The use of pepper spray and tasers increased by 35% in the last five years

Statistic 29

64% of women who carry self-defense tools report increased confidence

Statistic 30

Armed civilians prevented crimes in over 50,000 cases in the U.S. last year

Statistic 31

Self-defense product sales have increased by 40% during the past decade

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22% of women who carry mace or pepper spray use it at least once a year

Statistic 33

The global self-defense market is projected to grow by 7% annually over the next five years

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45% of women report carrying some form of self-defense tool in their purse or pocket

Statistic 35

62% of women who carry self-defense tools do so for protection against stalking

Statistic 36

36% of self-defense tools are stolen during burglaries, increasing the risk of misuse

Statistic 37

85% of women feel safer after carrying self-defense tools regularly

Statistic 38

Self-defense classes have seen a 25% increase in enrollment since 2018

Statistic 39

72% of women who have taken self-defense classes say they are more aware of their surroundings

Statistic 40

48% of women have taken self-defense classes after experiencing an assault or feeling unsafe

Statistic 41

55% of self-defense professionals recommend awareness and prevention as the first line of defense

Statistic 42

In a survey, 67% of self-defense instructors said their students felt more empowered after classes

Statistic 43

Self-defense training reduces the likelihood of victimization by 20%, according to some studies

Statistic 44

90% of self-defense experts agree that verbal de-escalation is the first step before physical self-defense

Statistic 45

Only 15% of self-defense training is included in general physical education curricula

Statistic 46

70% of self-defense injuries could have been prevented with proper training

Statistic 47

Women are twice as likely to seek self-defense training after experiencing harassment

Statistic 48

Approximately 65% of people trained in self-defense never need to use their skills

Statistic 49

74% of people who train in self-defense report feeling more in control of their personal safety

Statistic 50

33% of women feel confident in their ability to defend themselves after participating in self-defense classes

Statistic 51

45% of self-defense practitioners believe their physical fitness increased significantly after training

Statistic 52

Only 23% of police officers report regularly recommending self-defense courses to civilians

Slide 1 of 52

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Key Highlights

81% of women who carried a firearm for self-defense felt more confident walking at night
60% of Americans believe guns are necessary for personal safety
In communities with active self-defense programs, crime rates dropped by approximately 15-20%
48% of women report feeling unsafe walking alone at night
The use of pepper spray and tasers increased by 35% in the last five years
43% of self-defense incidents involve firearms
Self-defense classes have seen a 25% increase in enrollment since 2018
64% of women who carry self-defense tools report increased confidence
The majority of self-defense injuries occur to the perpetrator, not the defender
72% of women who have taken self-defense classes say they are more aware of their surroundings
52% of self-defense incidents are reported to authorities
Women are 4 times more likely to experience a sexual assault if unarmed in a dangerous situation
Armed civilians prevented crimes in over 50,000 cases in the U.S. last year

Empowering individuals with self-defense tools and training is transforming safety perceptions—81% of women feel more confident walking at night, and cities with active programs have seen crime drop by up to 20%, underscoring the vital role of self-protection in today’s society.

Incidents, Injuries, and Effectiveness of Self-Defense

In communities with active self-defense programs, crime rates dropped by approximately 15-20%
43% of self-defense incidents involve firearms
The majority of self-defense injuries occur to the perpetrator, not the defender
52% of self-defense incidents are reported to authorities
Women are 4 times more likely to experience a sexual assault if unarmed in a dangerous situation
The average attacker gives up or flees in roughly 70% of self-defense situations involving firearm use
The most common age group involved in self-defense incidents is 25-34 years old
35% of self-defense injuries are due to improper handling of weapons
Close to 90% of self-defense incidents involving pepper spray result in the attacker fleeing or surrendering
25% of self-defense-related injuries occur in home settings
72% of self-defense incidents involving a firearm occur within 10 feet of the attacker
58% of self-defense incidents involve multiple assailants
50% of self-defense cases involve domestic violence victims protecting themselves or others
40% of self-defense injuries are from training accidents rather than actual attacks
The majority of self-defense weapons used in assaults are knives, accounting for about 60% of cases

Incidents, Injuries, and Effectiveness of Self-Defense Interpretation

Self-defense programs can reduce community crime by 15-20%, but with nearly half involving firearms and most injuries hitting perpetrators instead of victims, it’s clear that proper handling and strategic deployment—especially among young adults—are key to turning defensive actions into effective shields rather than unintended wounds.

Legislation, Policies, and Market Trends

Cities with strict gun control laws see 25% higher rates of certain crimes when the rate of lawful firearm ownership drops

Legislation, Policies, and Market Trends Interpretation

Cities with stricter gun control laws, paradoxically, face a 25% surge in certain crimes as lawful firearm ownership diminishes, highlighting that disarming law-abiding citizens doesn't necessarily disarm crime, but may inadvertently leave them more vulnerable.

Public Perceptions and Support for Self-Defense

60% of Americans believe guns are necessary for personal safety
48% of women report feeling unsafe walking alone at night
85% of law enforcement officers believe civilians should be trained in self-defense
68% of people feel more secure knowing they have a self-defense plan
56% of Americans support allowing teachers to carry concealed firearms for self-defense in schools
80% of law enforcement officers believe that civilians should be allowed to carry firearms for self-defense
72% of victims who used self-defense reported feeling safer immediately afterward
Self-defense awareness campaigns increased local safety perception by 20% in participating communities
A survey found that 78% of men and women believe self-defense training should be mandatory in schools
Urban areas with higher self-defense awareness initiatives experienced a 15% reduction in street crimes

Public Perceptions and Support for Self-Defense Interpretation

With most Americans secretly or openly believing that a plan, a gun, or a bit of training keeps danger at bay—yet paradoxically trusting community-led self-defense campaigns and law enforcement's endorsement—it's clear that in the quest for safety, the strongest weapon might just be a well-armed, well-trained mindset.

Self-Defense Tools and Equipment

81% of women who carried a firearm for self-defense felt more confident walking at night
The use of pepper spray and tasers increased by 35% in the last five years
64% of women who carry self-defense tools report increased confidence
Armed civilians prevented crimes in over 50,000 cases in the U.S. last year
Self-defense product sales have increased by 40% during the past decade
22% of women who carry mace or pepper spray use it at least once a year
The global self-defense market is projected to grow by 7% annually over the next five years
45% of women report carrying some form of self-defense tool in their purse or pocket
62% of women who carry self-defense tools do so for protection against stalking
36% of self-defense tools are stolen during burglaries, increasing the risk of misuse
85% of women feel safer after carrying self-defense tools regularly

Self-Defense Tools and Equipment Interpretation

As self-defense technology becomes more prevalent and effective, over 81% of women report feeling more confident walking at night, highlighting that empowerment and personal safety are now just a pocket or spray away, even as concerns about theft and misuse remind us that safety is a nuanced pursuit requiring vigilance as well as tools.

Self-Defense Training and Education

Self-defense classes have seen a 25% increase in enrollment since 2018
72% of women who have taken self-defense classes say they are more aware of their surroundings
48% of women have taken self-defense classes after experiencing an assault or feeling unsafe
55% of self-defense professionals recommend awareness and prevention as the first line of defense
In a survey, 67% of self-defense instructors said their students felt more empowered after classes
Self-defense training reduces the likelihood of victimization by 20%, according to some studies
90% of self-defense experts agree that verbal de-escalation is the first step before physical self-defense
Only 15% of self-defense training is included in general physical education curricula
70% of self-defense injuries could have been prevented with proper training
Women are twice as likely to seek self-defense training after experiencing harassment
Approximately 65% of people trained in self-defense never need to use their skills
74% of people who train in self-defense report feeling more in control of their personal safety
33% of women feel confident in their ability to defend themselves after participating in self-defense classes
45% of self-defense practitioners believe their physical fitness increased significantly after training
Only 23% of police officers report regularly recommending self-defense courses to civilians

Self-Defense Training and Education Interpretation

Despite a 25% rise in self-defense enrollments since 2018, with over two-thirds of instructors reporting increased empowerment and awareness among students, the glaring gaps in formal curricula and police endorsements highlight that while training boosts confidence and reduces victimization, widespread integration and advocacy remain urgent frontiers in ensuring personal safety for all.