Women against guns :(

[Glock Girl in CA]

I love to ride my bike and belong to an online women's cycling forum. It has lots of great info on all things cycling and I have really enjoyed reading the posts.

Yesterday a woman posted about staying safe while riding solo. She wanted to know what she could do to stay safe. One woman responded that she has been eyeing holsters that she could wear while out riding. This was, naturally, met with all kinds of criticism. I chimed in and put in a gentle word for firearms being a valid choice. Of course there were all manner of responses that indicated this would be paranoid, overkill, maybe you should just move if you feel you have to be armed, etc. Why are there so many women who are against guns? Why would they disdain the one tool that would make them equal to a stronger, violent man? Why do I have to worry that my belief that I have the right to defend myself will alienate me from so-called educated, smart women?

I decided to risk being flayed and below is my response:

******"Lots of thought-provoking responses to the OP on this thread! In turn, it has made me think more about the subject as I read the responses. The more I turn it over in my mind, the simple fact is: victims of violent crime didn't expect to BE victims of violent crime. Otherwise, they would not have been at that place or doing that activity or trusting that person. So, what happens if you can't just simply avoid an evil person?

I know people who have been attacked in broad daylight in grocery store parking lots in "nice" parts of town, and maybe you do, too. The undertone of some of the posts is that it is overkill or paranoid of a woman to be legally carrying a gun. Well, I don't know, is that really a fair statement? I know that it is highly unlikely that my house will burn down, but I have smoke detectors. I know that odds are I will complete my errands without being in a car accident, but I still wear a seat belt every time I go. I don't think that makes me paranoid. I think it makes me prepared.

Fear of firearms is also expressed - I might shoot myself, etc. I have big, huge kitchen knives that assist me to whip up a mean dinner for DH when he walks in the door. Do I worry that they are potentially lethal weapons and that I might hurt myself using them? No. Because I'm careful, responsible, and I know how to use the knives. And I feel the same way about my own gun. I'm careful, responsible and I know exactly how to use it.

The OP's original statement was this:" But I would want to do everything in my power to ensure my safety." We owe her an honest response. However we personally feel about guns, they are the great equalizer. A gun in the hands of a 75 year old woman makes her more powerful than a 20 year old violent man. Just like any other potentially dangerous tool we use (cars, knives, chemicals, etc), we need to know how to use them properly and safely and obey the laws that govern them.

The goal of my response is to provoke further thought and not emotional responses. 2012 was the year I had to confront my thoughts about firearms (never having had one or wanted one or needed one before). I realize a gun isn't the answer for everyone, but let's do try to consider all of our options to keep ourselves safe."***************

I get nervous because I know I'm about to be attacked over this, but I care about misinformation being circulated MORE. So, good thing I have you guys. I know you won't think I'm crazy/paranoid/overreacting.

[spetsnaz]

Its really just fear and misunderstanding with most people/women.

[phdo]

Its really just fear and misunderstanding with most people/women.

I concur. The media portray guns with a correlation to violence, crime, and death. When my mom found out I was a gun owner, she didn't approve. The same with my girlfriend and sister. I took them with me to BLM and the range a couple of times and now they understand that it's a hobby. Now, they're always on my case telling me to take them. I blame the media for spreading misinformation.

[SilverTauron]

Interesting.

Among the people I've encountered in my travels, women seem to be the most squared away regarding firearms. They shoot better at the range, they pick guns which fit them and not because Tactical Dude Monthly said it's the bees knees;and nearly every girl ive known understood the basic realities of self defense regardless of their political perspective.


A girl I dated from New York City understood the necessity of why I carry a gun even though she personally hated weapons.When stating that I carry a handgun every woman ive met said something along the lines of "No problem, you need to protect yourself". A friend's wife said once when I told her about my being armed that in fact she felt quite safe, since the odds of her being attacked and raped declined significantly in my presence.She complained about a pal's shotguns in her living room once, so that was a bit of a shock.

The guys ive met were an altogether more deplorable case. "You don't need a gun","Is that thing loaded", "my ninja martial arts skill means I don't need a gun" "Knives are better" and other such hoplophobic nonsense.

[Glock Girl in CA]

Its really just fear and misunderstanding with most people/women.

Respectfully, I think it is more than fear and misunderstanding. There are so many women who encamp in the "anti" group. Their reasons are flawed, but they choose the anti-gun theory anyway. They believe being strong and educated means being against all violence - even in self-defense situations! It's a lot of fluff and very little substance, but it's popular stuff with a lot of women. I know there are women out there who embrace shooting and love the idea of being protected, but I just seem to know more women in the former group than the latter. I do think the news headlines are reporting more females empowering themselves by knowing how to use guns and that is wonderful, but we have a long way to go. I know even in my own neighborhood there are women who think less of me because I have my own gun and love the thing. It's sad. So sad.

Today the news headlines came out saying the missing college student in Louisiana was murdered by a sex offender who has now confessed. She did everything she could to fight back, including disarming her attacker of his knife and using it to slash at his hands. She even faked death for a bit, so as to re-arm herself with his knife. But ultimately, he, the stronger one, won after he physically overpowered her, stabbed her and then shot her in the head. How could this story have ended differently if she had been carrying a gun? When will people in this country wake up and accept that guns are lifesavers in the hands of good people?

[PM720]

I think you posted a great response. There will be those, both male & female, that will never agree with you regardless of the stats or how logical your argument is. You are on the right side, stand tall!

Scott

[SierraApril]

I love that your response was so well written and even-toned, with solid and reasonable parallels drawn between guns and other safety equipment. Although quite a few anti-gun people will automatically close their minds against your post, and probably flame you for writing it, I think it is exactly this kind of calm logic that has the best chance of getting those on the fence to consider the idea of being responsible for their own protection.

Nice work!

[Glock Girl in CA]

Thank you, all. The gun community is full of great people who are willing to support, knowledge-share, and admonish when needed. I love being part of it! Thanks again.

[707electrician]

My girlfriend, though not truly anti-gun, did have the 'you don't need a gun' attitude before I took her shooting. It was the fear/misunderstanding combo but after I took her out to shoot she is comfortable having the guns around and actually says she doesn't like it when I go away for the weekend and take my guns because she doesn't feel safe.

This is common with most people that don't like guns. They don't like them because they don't understand how they work and have never shot one, but once you take them out to shoot, a lot of them tend to change their attitude, and some of them will either want to go out again or want to get their own.

[movie zombie]

very well worded! can i quote you to my anti- friends?

[Glock Girl in CA]

very well worded! can i quote you to my anti- friends?

Most certainly, Dear!

[movie zombie]

thank you, Glock Girl!

Sunday, this is not OT nor is this a political thread. it is the Ladies Forum and was created to allow the women of calguns to communicate w/o all the testosterone posturing that occurs in OT. however, since you opened that door, i would note that many men like the government to take care of them. if you'd care to talk about that, please start a thread over in OT.

eta: please read the note to Sunday, mustache......you are so out of line in the Ladies Forum i'm about to hit the mod button.

[CelticRanger]

Great points made Glock Girl. Ones that may actually get some of those anti's (who don't really know why they don't like guns) to honestly think about the subject.

And the whole smoke alarms/seat belts part is great and something I will use in my future pro-2A debates.

Hope you don't get flamed too bad on your cycling forum.

[ElDub1950]

I'd bet $20 that if you were having this same discussion in person with 25 of those people, you would get the same responses.

Then in private afterwards, 10 of them would want to talk to you to get more information because they realize they are responsible for their own safety.

[oldsmoboat]

Very well put, good job.

I read your post over there and so far, no flaming.