The empty hand martial arts are not the answer to the self defense needs of anyone who cannot spend several hours a week at practice or anyone not young, healthy and agile. They are far from useless, but a handgun is enormously more effective for most. A combination of martial arts and weapons training is optimum. Martial arts will help you handle the first 3 seconds of an attack, so you can establish enough distance to GET TO your gun. It's also good for young people who are not old enough for a carry permit
Good point. Also, being in the military( and/or learning self defense), is the best way to change someones "mindset" - from being "against" guns and fighting, to seeking all means of defense. I knew a small petite petty blonde woman, who, after being in the air force and shooting an m-16, now carries a .38 revolver as a civilian, and is now totally against gun control.
The best reason for women to learn karate or judo, is not to actually defeat a man, but to change her will to want to defeat a man any way she can.