The murder of Georgia college student Laken Riley has elicited an outpouring of outrage and grief from across the country.
The case was so tragic that even the conviction and sentencing of her killer did not provide much consolation.
Riley’s death raised questions about the persistent problem with illegal immigration in the United States because the murderer was an illegal alien. Many have rightly criticized the Biden administration for its refusal to address the border crisis it caused with its lax approach to the southern border.
Related: Laken Riley's Family and Friends Give Heartbreaking Impact Statements; Judge Sentences Jose Ibarra
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But there is another issue that Riley’s demise also raises to the surface: How to stop cases like Riley’s from happening in the first place.
I came across a CNN report that discussed the role of technology in protecting people’s safety. Many of these advancements have made it easier to apprehend violent criminals who victimize women. But the report also acknowledges the limitations these devices have.
Riley had used several safety tools, including location-sharing apps and her phone’s SOS feature. “Many women who use these tools to keep themselves safe would say Riley did everything right,” the report noted.
Some of these devices, including phones, watches, and others, “can make emergency calls with the push of a button,” according to CNN.
Unfortunately, none of these devices were able to save Riley’s life from the brutal thug who killed her. However, these tools can aid in the apprehension and conviction of violent criminals, which could stop them from claiming other victims.
“In today’s world, there’s an expectation by a jury that there will be some kind of digital evidence,” said Jane Anderson, a senior attorney advisor with AEquitas.
Indeed, in Riley’s case, her smartwatch “revealed the moment her heart stopped.”
“In many cases, that type of technology – sadly, what it does is allow an investigation. It tells you where somebody is, where they were last known to be, perhaps ongoing location data, if the offender then takes that phone and continues to use it,” Anderson told CNN.
Some of the disadvantages of this technology is that it can also be exploited by bad actors who could hack or track their victims’ devices. Digital footprints can make women more vulnerable to stalkers and other malevolent attackers.
Technology can play a critical role in helping women protect themselves from potential danger. But it is not foolproof, as the report acknowledges.
What is truly interesting about Riley’s case and others like it is that people have focused on the immigration angle. They have also looked at ways women can use technology.
But why hasn’t Riley’s case prompted more discussions about women arming themselves? One of the first things I thought when I first heard about her tragic death was that I wish she had been armed. Technology can help to a certain extent. However, when a woman is facing a male assailant who is bigger, stronger, and faster than she is, there is only one equalizer: A firearm.
If a woman is carrying a gun, she can more effectively prevent a would-be attacker or rapist from overpowering her. In many cases, just brandishing the firearm would be enough to prompt the assailant to flee. If worse comes to worse, she can neutralize the threat.
Firearms can serve as an effective deterrent and means of protection for men and women alike. Several studies have shown that defensive gun uses (DGUs) not only happen far more often than the anti-gunner lobby would have us believe, but they can also be integral to defending one’s life and property.
A 2013 report from the National Research Council found that victims who used firearms had lower rates of injury than those who used other strategies.
With violent crime rates remaining high, women have increasingly been buying guns.
Yet, current trends suggest that instead of relying on the government to protect them, more women are arming themselves. A 2021 study revealed that almost half of new gun buyers since 2019 were women, with about 3.5 million women becoming new gun owners between January 2019 and April 2021.
By 2024, about 25 percent of women indicated they owned firearms, compared with about 40 percent of men. The reason for the increased rate of gun ownership among women is obvious: Self-protection. About 92 percent of these women indicated they purchased firearms to protect themselves.
Gun ownership for all Americans is important, but even more so for women. Relying on technology or the government to save them isn’t the best way to protect themselves, and more women are realizing this, which is a positive sign.
