Weapon by who - Victim or robber?
Note, I'm not paranoid, but within the last couple of years have been on the receiving end of at least a few attempts to lure me to locations to pick up items worth a lot of money. And despite what McGyver says about phone numbers, you cant trust that a phone number will trace back to anyone real due to the proliferation of software based anonymous phone apps.
I don't meet anyone except at verified home address, or in front of the police station unless it is for an item with trivial value. Even then it is during daylight, public space with loads of people and a camera over head.
statistically the odds of injury increase for either party but more for the victim IIRC.
just an FYI, while the overall crime rate has been relatively steady, the crime severity index was up over 2% in 2023 with recorded higher rates of extortion (+35%), robbery (+4%) and assault committed with a weapon or causing bodily harm (+7%). Most of this was in urban centers, and much of it related to online generated sales activity or car theft.
Also some types of non-violent crime also increased in 2023, including fraud (+12%), shoplifting ($5,000 or under; +18%), and motor vehicle theft (+5%). Most of the shoplifting gangs are selling their stolen goods online. Wanna guess where?