Did I mention guns, rifles or pistols?

I merely said " Rapists, serial and otherwise, might be deterred if potential victims were able to protect themselves".

As it stands in Australia the potential victim is not allowed to possess anything for the purpose of self defence.

To carry a sharpened pencil or a cheap ball point pen for defence is a criminal offence.

In Australia violent criminals must be given the full protection of the law at all times particularly whilst following their chosen line of work.

Belly,
I cannot recall one single criminal or potential terrorist in Australia actually handing in their guns.
I wonder why.
Mise,
carry a sharpened pencil or a cheap ball point pen [and make the statement that it is] for [self] defense is definitely a criminal offense.

Chris I have no doubt you are an ex cop.
I could name drop mates in uniform but will not.
You just must agree you like me,are not the standard issue, I am often in my own paddock.
But without reserve my view is your wish to let us carry guns is insane.
And I bet few cops would agree with you.
A short time in my miss spent youth I was the front for two SP shops, you know the deal get pinched boss pays and the police got the cash.
1961 to 1963.
Played football with many and had a beer or two after with them.
Not too many cops, thankfully, would want to confront a grogged up wife basher with gun in hand.

When a woman is raped why are the police not there to protect her; for that matter when anyone is bashed and/or robbed why aren't the police on hand to protect them?

I have watched a couple of these sensationalist "COP" shows on TV currently.

The first thing I noticed is the difficulty of policing, where those involved do not speak English. This is becoming a problem in Oz today.

The second thing I noticed was the number of patrol cars that turn up in backup to the first cop involved in a "domestic" or a traffic stop, that turns nasty.

Comparing this to anywhere here but the Gold Coast, with its blitz on bikes, is unbelievable. Even without the bikie blitz drawing most of our cops away, we would be lucky to have one patrol car within 25 kilometers of here most nights. That is of course except for the occasional profit making booze bus blitz, on the main road.

God had better come & help us if ever there is any big trouble around here, because you won't find a cop to do it, not after office hours anyway.

Around NSW in country areas it takes a while for the police to arrive because the patrol car might be miles away or there is no one on duty, so the Controller (in the nearest city) phones the local policeman on call and after he gets dressed in his uniform he then goes to the Station to get his pistol and other gear out of safe storage; then he's on his way.
Now the emergency may be just a street away or miles out in the bush.

If it involves violence or a threat to life?

Well as tis said "When seconds count the police are only minutes away".