On Wednesday’s NBC Today, co-host Savannah Guthrie introduced “a new Rossen Reports series, Keeping You Safe” to show off “new technology that promises to protect you and help avoid attackers.” Correspondent Jeff Rossen declared: “Can your smart phone help protect you when you’re out there alone? This morning, new apps and devices you can get right now that could save your life and we're trying them out.”

He noted “Women’s safety back in the headlines right now in a major way” and cited the recent case of “that terrifying abduction of a woman in California, a mom grabbed by kidnappers in broad daylight. She was out for a run by herself. Her family says she had her cell phone with her when she was attacked...” Sherri Papini was kidnapped, brutally beaten, and dumped by the side of the road weeks later.

Rossen began the segment, “You're walking alone, no one else around. And that's when an attacker could strike... Missa Baker is a waitress who leaves work late at night. Today trying out popular new apps and gadgets that promise to protect women.” He described a panic button device and two smart phone apps designed to call for help in the event of an attack. The headline on-screen announced: “Stopping Dangerous Attackers; New Apps Sense Trouble and Alert Police.”

At no point was any self defense discussed, including using a firearm. Instead, one of the apps simply recorded video of the attacker and sent it to friends and family with a request for assistance.

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Another app was somewhat more useful in that it alerted police directly, but only after a 20-second delay.

In a report back in 2014, Rossen offered tips on how to defend yourself during a home invasion. His suggestions included spraying the intruder with bug spray or pressing the alarm button on your car key fob remote. If those methods were to fail, he advised viewers to treat the criminals “like royalty.” Again, no mention was made of owning a gun.

Here is a full transcript of Rossen’s November 30 segment: