Tyrants and criminals prefer unarmed victims.
Well, of course they do. They are essentially cowards. Bullies are too. They haven't enough self-esteem to do anything else.
It's learned behavior. They learned it at home, watching and listening to mommy and daddy, reinforced by aunties and uncles. THEN they went to school and discovered that bullying worked in many cases.
When someone stands up to them, it's a HOOT to watch them whine, waver and vacillate. Whether it's physical or verbal, it's a hoot to watch. Run, baby, run; mommy is calling you. She wants to wipe your butt.