...I don’t see how a concealed weapon would help the victim. they’re all sucker punched and then the aggressor runs off.
I believe you're right, Roos_Girl, though the combination of firearms in citizens' hands and improved situational awareness could help in some cases. "If it saves even one life...!" as I've heard politicians say.
That is the key. Most people, I suppose, go around in "white" awareness, not paying attention to their surroundings at all, whereas I have been taught to always go around in "yellow" awareness, always cognizant of who is nearby, where someone could be lurking, etc.