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Women: No More Excuses
Last week we made a trip to the gun range for the first time in weeks. I nearly forgot how empowered I feel when I hold, aim, and shoot a gun. Especially because I practice regularly and shoot pretty well. But then I remembered that in spite of having a concealed carry license, I still am not carrying.
I read an excellent article in the NRA magazine [unfortunately behind a paywall] that was specifically directed to women who are reluctant to conceal carry. It was spot on in describing the primary reason women don’t carry:
What I’ve found is the training differences are not related to our strength, size or mechanical ability. Though these challenges may be in evidence, I’ve seen women overcome them all. And it’s not that there isn’t enough equipment designed for women. These days, plenty is made to accommodate us.
One of the critical differences, and indeed the biggest hurdle for women, is our mindset. More specifically, our traditions, our evolution and our societal mores that set many of us up with deep-rooted notions that run counter to good personal defense.
I could identify with some of the excuses the author listed, too. And they are just that—excuses. Yes, I live in a quiet, gated community. Yes, the protests in Central Florida have mostly been peaceful. Yes, the odds of my needing to have a gun on my person are slim. At least, they were slim. I’m not so sure if that’s true anymore
It took a long time for me to work up to agree to my husband’s buying a gun. I thought he was paranoid. He felt it was important for me to at least be familiar with the gun. Gradually I gave shooting a try; it was frighteningly powerful and noisy. With practice and training and a good set of ear protection, I began to enjoy the experience. I felt a new confidence, particularly in my ability to protect myself and my home. But if I am out and about, a gun sitting in a locked box in my bedroom is not going to do me a single bit of good.
Where would I need a gun? Who knows? At the dry cleaner? At a restaurant? At the grocery store? The truth is that if I’m not armed, I am helpless in the face of an armed adversary.
As I watch the violence spreading throughout the country, it finally may be time to carry.
Published in Guns
The local concealed carry classes are full and an instructor asked to add an unscheduled class date using our hall at the VFW. We rent out the hall to the public and the concealed carry class instructor is a recent addition to our usual customers.
You describe being a subject, not citizen.
I nearly always agree with you and didn’t intend to say a word, despite differing here. Since you asked, I hate guns and always have. My darling youngest sister killed herself with one more than 20 years ago, so that might have influenced me. My initial thought was she might have lived if she had taken pills and had been found in time, but a gun is instant. That said, I can understand why gun sales have gone way up in the past week as we watch violent mobs take over our streets.
I’m so very sorry, at GWW; what a difficult and painful loss for you. I won’t go further than that, since I can’t possibly put myself in your shoes. Thank you for speaking up.
Great panel discussion on riots
Great resource for women and self defense including holsters for women
https://www.corneredcat.com/
Update: fixed link for panel discussion
Another good resource for women:
https://thewellarmedwoman.com/
I’m so sorry, @goldwaterwoman. My heart breaks for you. I’m sure you’ve heard people say that a gun is only a tool. It has no soul, no brain. By itself it truly is no more dangerous that any other tool laying there. Like any other tool, it can be used for great good – or great harm. You’re right, of course, suicide by firearm is instant, but it isn’t the only means available for instant death. Cars may well be used more than guns, but it is much more difficult to ascertain. People who end their lives in one of those ways truly meant to do just that. People who use less – certain methods, like taking pills, are usually actually crying for help. They want to be discovered before it’s too late.
And the actual statistics really do show that more innocent lives are saved than those taken with firearms. Even then, the moral turpitude of firearm is the same. It simply doesn’t exist. I know that doesn’t bring your sister back. The tragedy of a person becoming so deprived of hope that he takes his life will always be a tragedy. I pray that it remains so. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I just want to tell you, @quietpi, that is such a compassionate and thoughtful response. Much better than I could have offered. Thank you.
It’s not unusual to dislike an object associated with the loss of life. I had a friend die in a motorcycle accident at age 16. His brother stopped riding after that, but the rest of us kept on. I even bought a motorcycle just like the one my friend died riding.
My point is even if an individual decides to not like the objects, it crosses a line when that individual goes out and tries to ban the objects. When Candy Lightner’s daughter was killed by a drunk driver, she didn’t found MADD to eliminate cars – she founded it to go after the drunk driver. OTOH, gun control groups never go after the “drunk drivers” of gun violence (the criminals), they go after the “sober drivers” – responsible gun onwers.
This is absolutely wonderful to hear! Sharing positive experiences like this serve a vital role in attenuating the fear surrounding guns and self defense. I would love nothing more than to hear more stories like this one. Thanks for sharing!
If you are a woman or have one in your life, here are some more tips and info on self defense and concealed carry for women.
My story is similar, but from the other side. I grew up in the South and my father taught us to shoot; first with a BB gun and later with a rifle. As an adult in my 20’s, I got a carry permit in Georgia and bought (on the advice of a game warden friend from south Georgia) a S&W .38 revolver. He recommended using semi-wadcutters. These were rounds with a flat end on the bullet that tapered slightly towards the shell casing. I later bought a Glock 19 and also went to Missouri for a week long self-defense course.
Several years later, I married Mr. EB who was from the UK. He did not like the idea that I had guns and one time we ended up in an heated argument about it. He came very close to insisting that I get rid of them, but I managed to reel him back from that ledge. We were living in NJ at the time. When we moved to Dallas, Texas, I decided to get a carry permit there.
Texas has a very good law and program for carry permits. It involved classroom, written exam, and then a proficiency test. The first class I could find was over in Ft. Worth. The night before the class, my husband said, “Ft. Worth is long drive. I think I should go with you.” I smiled (to myself) and said, “Great!”
Well, you guessed it. He took the class with me. We both aced the written test. Then we went on to the proficiency test. This is where I get a little miffed. I grew up with guns, had had a handgun for years, and I made a 90 on the test. He had never touched a gun, much less fired one. He made a 98 on the test. Grrrr!
Now he is a complete convert. And he loves to scandalize his British cousins with stories about target practice and self-defense techniques.