Guns: The Great Equalizer for Women
by K. Priscilla Jones Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Carrying a gun reduces a womans risk of rape and injury.
For women, guns are the great equalizers. They are our best means of physical resistance and they increase our odds of escaping rape or injury. We try to minimize risks in life as often as possible, but when that fails, and our choice is between resisting and being a victim, a womans best option is to resist with a gun in her hands.
Of course, a gun by itself is useless. To be effective, it must be held by someone who knows how to operate it. Firearm training is essential, as is frequent practice at the range. But there is one thing that is even more important than physical skill at arms
mental preparation. From a young age, my father drilled two firearms lessons into my head. First, dont aim a gun at anyone unless you have the intention to kill them. Secondly, if you do fire your weapon, you must shoot to kill, not shoot to wound. Always aim at the center of body mass to stop an attacker, not at their kneecaps to try to disable them, because in a high-stress situation, you will most likely miss.
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This mental preparation cannot be overstated. A woman who carries a firearm must make the decision well in advance of using it that, should she need to protect herself, she will brandish and, if necessary, fire it. This is a life-changing act not to be taken lightly. But then, so is rape.
Fortunately, research shows that only about 2 percent of defensive gun uses end with the user pulling the trigger. The majority of the time, just the fact that the gun poses a credible threat terminates the attack. Research also shows clearly that violent crime rates, including rape, are reduced when more law-abiding citizens carry concealed handguns. There is no woman more confident in her own safety than one who is skilled in the use of the handgun, concealed in her purse or hip holster.
Being armed is not for everyone. It will not prevent every attack, even if you are always armed. However, it clearly results in a dramatic reduction of risk. Isnt that all we can really do, anyway? I urge women to seriously consider carrying a firearm for personal protection. Thats equality that will keep you both alive and safe!
Safety tips for women:
1. Make the conscious decision to protect yourself at all costs
2. Be aware of your surroundings
3. Choose your friends, lovers, and activities wisely
4. Dont get drunk except in the safest environments, for your judgment will be clouded
5. Take a firearms safety training course
6. Target practice at a local gun range frequently
7. Familiarize yourself with your firearm
8. Obtain a concealed weapon license
9. Carry your loaded firearm with well-deserved confidence
10. Avoid gun-free zones