“I’m Against Guns and Violence, Unfortunately Reality Has Intruded on My Delusional Paradise.”
by Robert J. Avrech
“Thing is, he’s going to kill me.”
“Have you gone to the police?”
“Yes, of course I have.”
“And what happened?”
She shakes her head from side to side, wraps her arms protectively around her chest.
“I got a restraining order against Ned, that’s my ex-boyfriend. But you know what good that is, don’t you?”
“Tell me.”
She inscribes a big zero in the air.
Five Minutes Earlier
It’s a crowded Sunday morning in the Martin B. Retting Gun Shop in Culver City.
There’s the usual cross-section of customers:
Two elderly black women, sisters, who have been robbed countless times by drug-addicts. Ignored by the LAPD, they have no choice but to buy a gun for self-defense. The women wear colorful bonnets. Yup, they dressed up to go gun shopping.
There are a couple of hunters buying high-powered ammunition; they sound like Los Alamos scientists as they discuss the exquisite physics of various exotic slugs. It’s way beyond my comprehension.
Two Marines on leave are stocking up on rugged, combat-ready clips for their side-arms. Semper Fi.
There’s also a young Hispanic apartment manager who lives in a high-crime area. His wife just had a baby—Mazal Tov!—and he wants to protect his family from the local “desperadoes.”
I’m waiting my turn.
Protagonist
And so is a young woman who absolutely sticks out in the gun shop. She’s wearing a cream colored linen baby doll with blue grosgrain trim; on her feet, pink flip-flops that pop off alabaster skin. Her hair is the color of golden Kansas wheat. Mid-twenties, she’s an iconic all-American beauty who makes me flash to memories of a truly insane childhood crush: Tuesday Weld as Thalia Menninger on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.
Looking as if she’s on the edge of a meltdown, she paces, glances nervously at the display cases lined with gleaming rows of pistols and revolvers. She makes a move to exit the gun shop, then returns, as if yanked by a fishing reel.
“Excuse me, do you, do you know about guns?”
She’s even got that vulnerable, tremulous Tuesday Weld pitch to her voice.
And she is talking to yours truly.
“A bit.”
“I’m terrified of guns.”
I hold out my hands as if checking for rain.
“Sounds crazy, I know, thing is—do you think the salesmen are going to be much longer?”
“There’s tons of paperwork if you buy a gun.”
Her eyes dart about, then she just looks at me straight-on:
“Thing is, he’s going to kill me.”
Antagonist
That’s when she tells me about Ned; the evil, the obsessive, the ex-boyfriend.
Ned is a stalker, a human virus who has infected every aspect of her life.
She speaks of restraining orders:
“The thing about them is that people like Ned always find a way around them. He’s there on my computer. He’s a computer guy, for Chrissakes. He knows when I start going out with a new dude and he makes sure to tell the new one all sorts of trash about me. And d’you think the dude sticks around? No one wants that level of drama. I’ve moved twice already and he always finds me. Ned’s always there. Sometimes I wake up at night, go to my window and I’m telling you he’s watching me. Hey, I’m sorry for unloading on you. You must think I’m such a loser chick.”
“It’s fine. I feel awful for you. But it’s good you’re taking steps to protect yourself. It’s admirable. Men like Ned count on women being scared and defenseless.”
She pauses. Looks down at the display of guns.
Conflict
“I can’t believe I’m here. I’ve been against guns and violence my whole life.”
I let this pass. Now is not the time for a self-righteous lecture.
Intertitle: UTOPIA IS THE OPIATE OF LIBERALS.
“Did Ned threaten you, physically, I mean?”
“Said I belong to him and no one else. That’s about it. But I know what he means.”
“What did the police say?”
“The last cop, as he was leaving, whispered for me to get a gun.”
I tell her that owning a gun isn’t sufficient. She has to take safety classes, self-defense classes. She has to know what she’s doing. From the counter, I grab a handful of NRA brochures and press them into her hands. I make her promise that she’ll sign up as soon as she gets her gun in ten days.
“Ten days?” she says.
Nodding, I explain:
“First you have to take a test, here in the store, a written test. They’ll give you a booklet to study. Then you get a certificate making you eligible to buy a weapon in California. After you purchase the gun there’s a ten-day waiting period until you take possession.”
“But why?”
“Background check. To make sure you’re not a felon, a psychopath, an illegal immigrant, a terrorist, a drug addict. It’s the law.”
Once again, she wraps her arms around her chest, as if trying to keep her heart inside her body.
“Ned’s really smart—a psychozoid like you wouldn’t believe.”
Rising Tension
I do not ask her why she went out with Ned in the first place. The answer is obvious: psychopaths are clever at disguising their pathologies. Evil is seductive.
“You’re going to be okay. I know you are.”
She shrugs, scans a row of pistols.
“Are those good?”
“Those are .45 automatics. Probably too much gun for you. I’d recommend a simple revolver. Probably a Smith & Wesson J frame, a .38. But we’ll see what the salesman have to say, they are the experts here, okay?”
She manages a thin smile, her first since I’ve met her.
“Cool.”
“One piece of advice, even before you buy a gun, and this is important.”
“Yeah?”
“Lose the flip-flops.”
She looks down at her feet, curls her toes, lacquered a hot psychedelic pink.
“Huh?”
“You can’t run or maneuver in those things. Get in the habit of wearing a good solid pair of running shoes.”
“Oh, right, right. What was I thinking?”
I lead her to the glass case that holds the wheel guns, weapons that are simple to load, easy to handle, jam-proof. And, you better believe: lethal.
She scans the display. She seems overwhelmed.
Finally, she looks up at me and says: “What’s to stop Ned from killing me in the next ten days?”
I have no answer.
Resolution, Not So Much, For This is, Unfortunately, Reality
Hours later, I tell my wife Karen about the conversation. In the background FOX Cable News is reporting the brutal murder of a pregnant woman. The chief suspect is her ex-boyfriend, an evil piece of human garbage with a history of stalking women.
“I’m terrified I’m going to wake up one day and see that she’s been murdered. Maybe I should have done more.”
“What more could you have done?”
Shrugging, I admit I have no idea.
But Ned is out there, obsessively dreaming, watching, waiting for the right moment — to make her his own.
The Cornered Cat is an excellent resource for women who wish to learn about self-defense and firearms. Highly recommended.
Copyright © Robert J. Avrech
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Tips & Feedback
144 Comments
Great column! I love parts of California, but I don't think I'd want to live there regarding their gun laws, at least. I love it here in North Dakota with my "antique" Colt Lawman .357 snubbie and Colt Commander .45. Plus, nobody here bats an eye if your coat blows open (very windy here, don'tcha know) to reveal your concealed little friend. Take care!
Wow! Another great, engrossing story. Thank you, Robert. I didn't realize there was so much to purchasing a gun (I don't own any). I've gone through firearms safety training and, along with my firearms training in the military, am pretty dangerous to paper targets everywhere.
However, I believe time is of the essense and will soon begin the process to legally own firearms.
Robert –
A very thought-provoking piece. As to the qustion of "what more you (could have done)". You live in Southern California, right? Know any Hell's Angels? They'd love to have a word with "Ned".
Use all your local resources…
I wrote and co-produced a show called "A Woman's Guide to Firearms" in 1986. The DVD is still being sold. I've seen women scared of firearms have personality transformations as they undergo a firearms training class and start putting rounds into the center of the target. Thanks for a great piece that's all too true. Tuesday Weld? Ahhhh…
10 day waiting periods kill. You gave her good advice, that is all you could do.
http://lonewolfarcher.blogspot.com/
10 day waiting periods kill. You gave her good advice, that is all you could do.
http://lonewolfarcher.blogspot.com/
As a retired Deputy Sheriff, I can not tell you the number of times I have seen the above played out. She was very fortunate to have a Police officer tell her to "get a gun." Too many department these days, still tell people not to fight back, even knowing that they can not protect them, and the courts will back them up. Do not wait for trouble to come before you prepare. If you want peace, prepare for war.
I was always for guns. For others. They could own 'em, I didn't need one. Now, with me being in my mid 20's and potentially moving out and living alone in the city- – the idea of owning one sounds just seems, essential.
*MissQuinn*
Stories like this break my heart. Nobody should have to live in fear like that, but everyone knows restraining orders aren't worth the paper they're written on. God bless the police, but they can't be everywhere and even IF they are summoned, it will take several minutes at least for them to get there.
I had the same fear of firearms – until I actually fired one. While I have a healthy respect with what they can do, if it's not pointed at you, there is no need for anxiety.
I wear flip flops year round. It doesn't matter what shoes I'm wearing, I LITERALLY can't run any faster than I can walk, so fleeing is not an option unless an attacker is disabled (even if temporarily). This is why I learned karate – I can break a number of holds then disable or even kill an attacker. Not that you want them getting that close to you!
I have pepper spray, if I can't get to it in time, I am fairly confident I can knock someone down until I get get a shot off in their face. If that doesn't work, I have my Glock. Sadly, we all have to take primary responsibility for our own safety and the safety of those around us.
A gun by itself isn't enough; she has to be committed to using it without hesitation when the time comes. As one response noted, paper targets are easier. I hope she gets this along with her training. Fear and doubt make wimps that will hesitate and die.
I'm glad I live in Oklahoma, where the 2nd Amendment is still honored. I believe that, as a husband and father, it's my responsibility to protect my family. That means I need the proper tools to do that. If I don't have those tools, I'm failing in my responsibility.
My .357 magnum and 12 gauge pump shotgun are ready.
You are right. If you point a gun at someone in self-defense, you have to be prepared to shoot to kill.
This is just a tremendous, tremendous piece. I'm going to link it at my blog. How many lives must be lost, how many people reduced to lives of terror, before our society gets a more reality-based set of pictures into its corporate head?
I sigh and cry.
[...] Robert Avrech, over at Big Hollywood, recounts his encounter with a stalked woman in a gun shop in Culver City (CA): “I can’t believe I’m here. I’ve been against guns and violence my whole [...]
I guess they don't have enough "Gun Free Zone" signs to go around…..those REALLY work……
I am fairly confident I can knock someone down until I get get a shot off in their face. If that doesn't work, I have my Glock.
Is it wrong that I find this incredibly attractive? (in a non-stalker, I'm married kind of way)
Lynn – there is a book by Paxton Quigley (a pseudonym) geared towards women called "Armed and Female" – great book – she has a web site – http://www.paxtonquigley.com – the book goes into just about every question a neophyte may have about pistols – it is a great reference.
Another great article. I hope she takes your advice and learns self defense along with how to use her gun. She can't wear her gun 24/7, and it won't do her any good if its in a drawer and Ned pins her against a wall and chokes the life out of her.
Gun control laws are enacted by liberal elites who have no intent to comply with them themselves. Senator Feinstein carries a .38 revolver in her purse, and when asked why she wanted to deny that same right to other women, her reply was telling: in essence (I don't have the exact quote) she said that because she was a prominent figure, she was a more likely target, and needed the protection, unlike "regular" women (condescension? arrogance?). In the view of political elites, laws are for "the little people" (the masses). Note how many prominent elected officials fail to comply with tax laws that get the rest of us audited and fined.
How many women have died under thae above scenerio because they knew nothing about firearms and the stalker killed them? And becauseof our concealed carry laws in California it is impossible in most urban counties to have a permit – ironically in most of the rural counties it is very easy (and the permit is good state wide).
Still if I knew that someone was threatening my life I would be carrying – perhaps have a call to the police – or a restraining order on file – as legal back up.
You have to have the will to use it too – nothing worse than pointing a gun at a bad guy without the will they you (and he) knows you will use it. You would most likely end up dead by your own firearm in that scenario.
You never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot.
That being said there have been more crimes stopped by the simple display of a firearm…
How many women have died under thae above scenerio because they knew nothing about firearms and the stalker killed them? And becauseof our concealed carry laws in California it is impossible in most urban counties to have a permit – ironically in most of the rural counties it is very easy (and the permit is good state wide).
Still if I knew that someone was threatening my life I would be carrying – perhaps have a call to the police – or a restraining order on file – as legal back up.
You have to have the will to use it too – nothing worse than pointing a gun at a bad guy without the will they you (and he) knows you will use it. You would most likely end up dead by your own firearm in that scenario.
You never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot.
That being said there have been more crimes stopped by the simple display of a firearm…
Good article, Robert.
How many women have died under thae above scenerio because they knew nothing about firearms and the stalker killed them? And becaus eof our concealed carry laws in California it is impossible in most urban counties to have a permit – ironically in most of the rural counties it is very easy (and the permit is good state wide).
Still if I knew that someone was threatening my life I would be carrying – perhaps have a call to the police – or a restraining order on file – as legal back up.
You have to have the will to use it too – nothing worse than pointing a gun at a bad guy without the will they you (and he) knows you will use it. You would most likely end up dead by your own firearm in that scenario.
You never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot.
That being said there have been more crimes stopped by the simple display of a firearm…
Good article, Robert.
How many women have died under thae above scenerio because they knew nothing about firearms and the stalker killed them? And because of our concealed carry laws in California it is impossible in most urban counties to have a permit – ironically in most of the rural counties it is very easy (and the permit is good state wide).
Still if I knew that someone was threatening my life I would be carrying – perhaps have a call to the police – or a restraining order on file – as legal back up.
You have to have the will to use it too – nothing worse than pointing a gun at a bad guy without the will they you (and he) knows you will use it. You would most likely end up dead by your own firearm in that scenario.
You never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot.
That being said there have been more crimes stopped by the simple display of a firearm…
Good article, Robert.
How many women have died under the above scenario because they knew nothing about firearms and the stalker killed them? And because of our concealed carry laws in California it is impossible in most urban counties to have a permit – ironically in most of the rural counties it is very easy (and the permit is good state wide).
Still if I knew that someone was threatening my life I would be carrying – perhaps have a call to the police – or a restraining order on file – as legal back up.
You have to have the will to use it too – nothing worse than pointing a gun at a bad guy without the will they you (and he) knows you will use it. You would most likely end up dead by your own firearm in that scenario.
You never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot.
That being said there have been more crimes stopped by the simple display of a firearm…
Good article, Robert.
They have places where guns are free? Now you tell me, after I spent all that money.
I heard snarky little Katie Couric do her bit on a conservative radio show yesterday, she talked about the nutbag that shot up the nursing home and a couple other incidents and then basically blamed all the violence on guns instead of the criminal.
She blamed gun shows and such for all the violence, not the actual criminal.
She blamed "the lack of strong laws" on the violence, instead of the criminals.
This is exactly the problem with liberals, they refuse to take responsibility for anything, and then help criminals shirk their responsibilities as well.
Katie Couric should be ashamed for perpetuating the lie that guns cause violence instead of the criminal.
Robert, another incredibly good article and you gave her some good advice too. I've "sold" more than one of my female friends on .38s when they were concerned about their safety. The sad fact is that too many people think that all they need to do is call the police and everything will be okay, and maybe it will be, but if it takes the police 10 minutes to get to you, what do you do? If you don't have a weapon and someone is intent on doing you harm, not a whole lot more than being a victim unfortunately. I'm fortunate that in the States I live in, both are firmly on the side of the citizenry to defend themselves, I don't leave the house without at least one of my pistols worn either openly or concealed (I have the permits for doing that) and neither does my fiancee or mother.
I was in the local gun shop here in Pennsylvania last week myself to buy a new .45 and the clerk I bought it from was a college girl. It always makes me happy to see that, and while she was processing my paperwork (unlike the CA experience it takes about 15 minutes to run the check and the gun goes out the door with you) we chatted about the big sale they'd had over the weekend, she said that most of the people coming in to buy guns for the first time were either families, or single women. Which we both agreed were good things. Incidentally on the wall next to the rack of "assault rifles" (only 2 cheap Yugo AKs left) they had a picture of Barack Obama with "Employee of the Year" under it, it made me chuckle…until I realized they really were completely out of .45 ammunition so I had to drive around to 3 different stores to find any.
Amen. It's like cell phones. They keep getting more and more sophisticated, and cheaper. Then you get your first monthly bill.
I just joined the NRA. My brother, who shoots competitively, gave me this bit of advice: For a woman, especially one who isn't yet a good shot – until you are – aim for the gonads. Your hand will naturally rise as you fire and you will blow off most everything between the groin and the sternum, or just keep on shooting. With 30 rounds in your magazine, why stop at one or two shots? I'm picturing Ned as I write this. Two more words: Hollow points!
What a great idea – a Bad Guy drill. I will do that. Thanks, Bonnie.
This is great advise.
I would also suggest getting a dog. Doesn't have to be a monster that can swallow a bad guy whole either. I had a Dachshund that barked at everything, little yippers will wake you up everytime.
The next sound the bad guy hears will be me racking a round into my Remington 870 shotgun. There is no other sound like that…..
Unfortunately the only pictures being broadcast are by hysterical nitwits that are paving our way to hell with their good intentions.
Excellent story! This is a good example of why I am coming to this site more and more. First, it's nice to hear stories from people with experience in the real world rather than the same old armchair arguments from ideologues on the left (and occasionally on the right too, sorry to say). Second, I live in Missouri, which is a far more sensible place than California (no offense, natives), so reading about the day-to-day effects of the policies imposed by Pelosi, Feinstein & Co. is a real eye-opener. Anyone who thinks those supposedly sophisticated places like New York or San Francisco have anything on good ol' Middle America should read these stories.
Here's some more on Dianne Feinstein.
She successfully campaigned to make .50 cal rifles illegal in CA.
Know how many crimes have been committed with a .50 cal rifle in CA?? EVER?? ZERO….
Know how many crimes have been committed in the entire country with a .50 cal rifle??
You already know the answer. This woman is beyond arrogant and elitist, she uses the constitution as TP. But until the morons in CA stop electing her and those like her, CA will always be the springboard for left wing extremism.
The holes in the silhouette target that hangs in my front window were made by me using a S/W 629 . Folks that ask about it usually do so in a bit of a tttrembly (sic) voice.
Heh heh.
Thanks for a great article !
Someone should start a "bullet of the month club" or something…
Heather,
NEVER "LOAN" ANYONE A GUN! They should have thought of buying their own guns before the crisis happened.
<S>
This article shows why it is impossible to win the "WAR ON TERROR" If the polizia cannot stop a known threat what can be done to stop someone who wakes up and decides to commit an act of terror. What a joke.
Mr. Avrech,
I've been there Brother. Trying to help a woman with a "Bum" of an Ex Boyfriend protect herself and her children. I wish your friend was here in Virginia. There is no "Waiting Period" here (provided you pass the instant background check).
And By the way, When are you going to write another Movie/Book, so I can find a way to support you and Karen and the little Avrech's. Reading you here at Big Hollywood and at your web site isn't enough!
I remember one of Obama teleprompt-less, off the cuff responses during the campaign when, asked about about gun control, he responded, we Americans didn't have to worry about losing our guns. Not because of our right to bear arms, but, as he said, he didn't have the votes. No wonder so many people are buying guns before Obama and Congresss eighty six our .38s and .44s. When teleprompters are outlawed, only outlaws will have teleprompters.
I remember one of Obama's teleprompt-less, off the cuff responses during the campaign when, asked about about gun control, he responded, we Americans didn't have to worry about losing our guns. Not because of our right to bear arms, but, as he said, he didn't have the votes. No wonder so many people are buying guns before Obama and Congresss eighty six our .38s and .44s. When teleprompters are outlawed, only outlaws will have teleprompters.
Yes, Oscarfoxtango is absolutely right. Never, ever let one of your own guns walk without you attached…..
Also, the only thing unconstitutional is what CA is doing to it's citizens regarding gun ownership.
Jim:
1. Western democracies are not fighting a war on terror. We are fighting a war against radical Islam, a totalitarian ideology/religion that seeks to destroy Jews and Christians and enslave the globe under the banner of Islam and sharia law.
2. Police, are by law and action, tasked to confront crime <em>after</em> the fact.
3. That is why the war against radical Islam is not a police action, but a military task involving intelligence, black ops, and traditional armies.
4. Radical Islam, like Nazism and Imperial Japan, can be defeated. It's just a matter of political will.
[...] Against Guns and Violence, Unfortunately Reality Has Intruded on My Delusional.. Big Hollywood Blog Archive ?I’m Against Guns and Violence, Unfortunately Reality Has Intruded … A good read. I’m glad that more and more people are opening themselves up to firearm ownership and [...]
That is an outstanding idea….
Good story, but those marines were most likely buying magazines and not clips.
Could you imagine if someone would have to go through the same process if they wanted to write a newspaper article? (10 day waiting period, background check, ink & paper taxes, finger prints, newspaper free zones) Anti-2nd amendment groups would be screaming from the rooftops; ignoring that the pen in mightier than the sword. One news article is much more dangerous than one gun, yet out of a desire to live in a fantasy utopia many will ignore the fact that murder is motivated by hatred. Hatred is a by product of lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, or pride of life that are in each person's heart.(Jeremiah 17:9, 1 Juhn 2:16) A gun, bow and arrow, knife, club, or fists, are just tools to execute the wrath of judgement upon the other person. The solution is changing the heart, not changing the tool.
S&W J frame .38 Special revolver — a GREAT suggestion Robert! Btw, were you wearing your saddle shoes in the guns store?
This is exactly right. The problem isn't guns or knives. The problem is our propensity for violence. Our ability to do harm to one another and the willingness to do harm.
Our capacity for violence is just as much a part of human nature as joy, or sorrow, or pain. You can't pass a law to turn that part of our nature off. Removing guns from the table won't make a killer do a V-8 forehead slap and not be a killer anymore.
Those laws attack a sympton, and not the real problem, and that is man's inhumanity to man. And unfortunately, to stop those that would do harm, we have to be prepared, and armed, to meet them head on.
Thanks for this article, Robert! And that picture of the S & W .38 was icing. One question I have for you, as a Minnesota resident, is whether or not I can simply have my husband purchase a gun for me, since he already has a permit to purchase. Sorry if this is a dumb question or has been dealt with before. I still have a lot to learn.
I never thought I'd see my country get to this point. We are under siege from government at all levels. We probably be astonished to see how many anti-gun liberal politicians carry weapons. We have let our politicians morph themselves into de-facto monarchs. It is time to take our country back.
The Name you are looking for is "Lee Purcell". Very sexy eyes!
That's why I keep my guns from, loading themselves, taking my car keys and then going joyriding while drinking wiskey, looking for a schoolyard to shoot up! Now I have to keep them out of nursing homes too!?! (Damn!!)
Robert, a very nice piece on the insanity of the government interference of self defense. I think that we all have known persons who have lived a period of time in a similar state of fear and uncertainty.
Living in fear for your own life and your loved ones' lives is the worst, unfair burden the government can impose on an innocent person. And it is a burden imposed by those who are armed and/or have armed protection at their disposal.
California's 10 day waiting is a snap compared to Hawaii. First, is a day-long course, including mandatory time on the range. The course instructor has to get a signed affidavit from a court stating that you took the class. That takes several days and requires a trip back to the course site because the affidavit can't be mailed to you. You must have the affidavit to buy a gun. Once you buy the gun you can not take possession of it. You next go to the police station. At the police station you are fingerprinted. The fingerprints are sent off to the FBI. You have to fill out extensive paperwork, including a release form to your personal physician authorizing release of your medical information. You must go back to the police station 2 weeks later to pick up your paperwork. They will not mail it to you. There is a five day window to pick up the paperwork. If you forget to pick it up it is thrown away and you must start over. No reminders are given. Once you pick up the paperwork it is good for only 10 days and then expires. The next step is to take the paperwork back to the gun shop. At this point you have the gun shop sign the paperwork and pick up your gun; however, you are still not finished. You must take the signed paperwork and the gun back to the police department again. You have 48 hours to accomplish this or you are breaking the law. The police inspect the paperwork and the gun and at that point you are a gunowner.
Of course she failed to mention the story about the young man who attacked his 3 sisters, killing two, with a knife. The case was especially brutal and I hesitate to get into the specifics here because it's so graphic. Needless to say, that case should draw the media attention but it doesn't make any political points so it just kind of fades away…
My guns can't drive a stick, so I'm good….
Well that's the problem. If someone wants to kill someone they're going to find out a way to do it whether they have access to a gun or not. Banning guns is just silly, what's next? Banning steak knives? Are we all going to have to use the blunt elementary school scissors??
You're right, it's all purely political nothing more.
That is exactly what my Dad has always told us! Both myself and my sisters have learned to handle firearms since we were 9. I have my concealed carry license and while I have never had to actively draw on someone I have had to access it and been ready to draw very recently.
A good piece of CC advice for the ladies is that a pocket is really better than a purse. A purse is better than nothing.
I had a couple of scary experiences during my college years. One was a stalker who called my work and told my co-workers he was watching me. Lovely. You think hard about self-protection after that. California has gun laws that put all the power in the hands of those who are willing to break the law. So I went for self-defense in the form of martial arts, got myself a black belt and spent a lot of time learning how to *really* defend myself (as opposed to going to class for a good workout) but once I had kids I began to realize that it wasn't enough. We have guns for home protection and my kids will learn how to shoot as soon as their old enough.
Great article Robert! An armed citizenry is a safe citizenry. Single women especially should have a weapon and be trained to use it.
Another highly rewarding article – thanks Robert.
The Cornered Cat is a great site, and it led me to another one, nononsenseselfdefense.com.
Both offer lots of great info.
There's so much more to staying safe than just having a gun and being good at using it —
such as staying informed & aware, and sometimes making some sacrifices (accepting restrictions etc)
in order to avoid danger or minimize risks. It takes an ongoing committment. It seems that many social factors discourage a person from doing what is actually neccessary to stay reasonably safe. That discouragement is a silent danger in itself.
I'm not so sure a .38 is the best gun for women. Revolvers sure are nice, simple, easy for a new gun owner, but many .38s are too light (particularly the Airweight) and have a small sight radius.
Best thing I ever did was take a class first, then rented a bunch of guns to see which I shot best. Which was oddly (or not so oddly) the good old 1911 pattern. Noted Firearms trainer Massad Ayoob finds that the small circumference of the grip and excellent trigger make Commander sized 1911 patterns particularly female-friendly, and has worked as an expert witness in discrimination lawsuits (arguing that women and smaller stature men be allowed firearms that fit their hand to qualify for shooting scores, duty weapons, etc. as Law Enforcement Officers).
The 1911 or the High-Power patterns have excellent triggers that many female shooters love, the simplicity of revolvers is offset by the strength needed to pull the trigger.
So a class, perhaps with a female friend, followed by renting lots of guns, would be best. THOSE don't have waiting permits.
—————————-
I am always struck by how much women oppose guns and gun ownership, despite the fact that it makes them the equal of any man. In that regard the strong female gun-using characters of "the Pretender" and "Chuck" stand out, as more realistic women than the fantasy waifs with superpowers favored by TV and movies. As a positive influence towards reality.
However, I think it runs deeper than that. Women I think deeply and sincerely oppose gun ownership until the last moment because their power lies in social power, approval and disapproval, setting the moral tone, and so on. The View, Oprah, Ellen, etc. are the best examples: women using social power to define the acceptable and non-acceptable. Women don't like to recognize the limits of social power. Hence their reflexive desire to ban guns unless they have no other choice.
Despite obvious advantages, very few women are gun owners and the vast majority of gun owners are men.
————————–
Re: Violent and dangerous men like "Ned." Women of course are attracted to them, not because Robert the men hide their true natures but because they REVEAL THEM. Women have never had in the history of mankind more freedom and security, together, and so seek excitement, danger, and so on in the belief they can control the dangerous and violent man. Theodore Dalrymple in "Life at the Bottom" describes how his professional, educated nurses to a woman chose violent abusers and found ordinary "decent" men "boring."
The ordinary and decent man knows two things: one no matter how much he plays "rescuer" the women in question will simply choose another violent, dangerous man. And two, the violent, dangerous man has both the law (which fears him and his lawyers) and initiative on his side. Joe Average "rescuer" has much to lose, cannot escalate, and the law which does not fear him comes down on him like a ton of bricks. The "Ned" has nothing to lose, can escalate to whatever he likes, and the Law fears him and will often take his side.
In any event, the forces that allow women total freedom and anonymity, erase a strong, well-knit community that formerly kept "Neds" in place by the expedient of either brutally beating them or simply killing them if they got too troublesome. The Woman in Question undoubtedly does not have a Father, many uncles, cousins, and brothers, all connected, able to inflict crippling injuries and get away with it.
Everything has it's price, including freedom.
I try stan! I try to sell all the single woomen I know that they should arm. But they never listen. You can't help the foolish!
Great column, but I have one minor nit to pick:
Believe it or not, the 1911 in .45acp is probably the absolute best handgun in existance for a woman. The grip is thin and not too bulky (more comfortable in smaller hands), the trigger is light and crisp (or should be) and the recoil of the .45acp is a nice solid shove vs the harsh snappy slap of the .357mag and dumps a lot more energy into the target than the anemic 38spec.
Snub nose revolvers are not guns for newbies, shooting one well requires much more practice than a quality modern semi auto.
But overall, a very good article.
Oh and double points for linking The Cornered Cat!
Great column, but I have one minor nit to pick:
“Those are .45 automatics. Probably too much gun for you. I’d recommend a simple revolver. Probably a Smith & Wesson J frame, a .38. But we’ll see what the salesman have to say, they are the experts here, okay?”
Believe it or not, the 1911 in .45acp is probably the absolute best handgun in existance for a woman. The grip is thin and not too bulky (more comfortable in smaller hands), the trigger is light and crisp (or should be) and the recoil of the .45acp is a nice solid shove vs the harsh snappy slap of the .357mag and dumps a lot more energy into the target than the anemic 38spec.
Snub nose revolvers are not guns for newbies, shooting one well requires much more practice than a quality modern semi auto.
But overall, a very good article.
Oh and double points for linking The Cornered Cat!
Great column, but I have one minor nit to pick:
“Those are .45 automatics. Probably too much gun for you. I’d recommend a simple revolver. Probably a Smith & Wesson J frame, a .38. But we’ll see what the salesman have to say, they are the experts here, okay?”
Believe it or not, the 1911 in .45acp is probably the absolute best handgun in existance for a woman. The grip is thin and not too bulky (more comfortable in smaller hands), the trigger is light and crisp (or should be) and the recoil of the .45acp is a nice solid shove vs the harsh snappy slap of the .357mag and dumps a lot more energy into the target than the anemic 38spec.
Snub nose revolvers are not guns for newbies, shooting one well requires much more practice than a quality modern semi auto. Heavy, long trigger. Harsh recoil accompanied by a large amount of muzzle flip. And don't buy the "reliability" claims. When a revolver malfunctions it usually requires a gunsmith, when a semi auto malfunctions it can usually be cleared with a simple tap-rack/roll-bang drill.
But overall, a very good article.
Oh and double points for linking The Cornered Cat!
"Two Marines on leave are stocking up on rugged, combat-ready clips for their side-arms. Semper Fi."
"combat-ready clips for their side-arms"? Do you mean magazines?
They were Marines … I'm sure Robert was referring to them purchasing clips for their Garands
note to Andrew: NOT COOL disabling
code
"Two Marines on leave are stocking up on rugged, combat-ready clips for their side-arms. Semper Fi."
"combat-ready clips for their side-arms"? Do you mean magazines?
They were Marines … I'm sure Robert was referring to them purchasing clips for their Garands
After I left the military I joined a Police Department and retired as a Robbery/Homicide Detective. I was a weapons specialist in the service and have taught hunter safety classes for years, actually decades. A firearm is not for everyone. With ownership comes responsibility and that bothers some potential users of a firearm. A female is usually reluctant to fire one however they are naturally a better shot at the beginning. We males have watched too many John Wayne movies and must learned how to properly use one all over again. ANYONE who chooses to join the ranks of owning a firearm should do a little research before making that step. Take the necessary classes and become a serious shooter not someone who owns one that is stored in a box in a closet somewhere. Restraining orders are useless when attempting to protect yourself from a violent person. Remember a firearm ready for defense is worth more than the 911 operator on the phone.
I hope all turns out well for that young lady.
My wife wanted her own gun, she did not like any of mine, from a .25 to .40 semi's or .38 to .44 mag wheel guns. Took her to the gun show and let her heft, feel and paw pistols for 3 hours. She settled on a Springfield .45 model 1911. I said "honey that is a .45 and you are only 5 feet tall." She said "This one feels good, I want it." So she got it, and she just loves shooting that thing.
We tell all women, "yes indeed, get yourself a self defense arm and practice, practice and more practice."
Great! another Hot Babe with firearms experience, and she's married!
I would stick with Jacked Hollow points (JHP) pr "Franfable" (sp) ammo. Both do damage to flesh but, expend their energy in something like dry wall.
Better yet, Hit what you aim at. That was the bets advice I eve got.
The best selling firearm in the US is the S&W 'Ladysmith', a .38 snub nose first designed in the '30's … smart females are learning martial skills such as self defense and weapons training. Godspeed, ladies… for others we recommend the concentric ring theory with yourself (and then family and property) right in the middle.
It kind of goes like this: 5-15 ft circle handguns preferably .357 revolvers or .40-.45 autos; 9mm is too small and too fast to do much damage. 12 guage shotguns (Remington 870 is a great gun) with 00 buckshot.
15-50 feet small caliber rifles .223. AR-15, .30 caliber carbines, 30/30 lever action, varmint rifles…
50-300 feet 30:06 M1-Garand (sweet!) .308 M1A's, FN-FAL… your basic 'assault rifle' concept.
300- 600 feet bolt action scoped .308's or 30.06- Remington 700 is nice with Leupold optics.
600 ft and beyond .50 caliber Barret… will take down a chopper as well.
You need a good battle blade as well. Happy hunting!
I’ve lived in the Atlanta are for almost 40yrs, and about 25yrs ago they passed a law in Kennesaw that you had to own a firearm. It sits about 20 miles north of Atlanta (population 5.75 million) and is rated one of the safest towns in America. “I wonder why?”
Whiskey, I agree with almost all of your comments, but remember, not all woman are against gun ownership, or using guns, so don't be too stereotypical. I actually see a lot of men on the left especially, who oppose guns. And as for women being attracted to "dangerous" men, to some degree that is true. If you read my post up thread, I was married to an abuser. I fell for him because he was tough, unpredictable, and willing to take chances. Not all bad as far as characteristics go, but they can be dangerous, depending on a person's stability. My ex turned out to be bi-polar and has a resentment toward women. He was a psychotic abuser. He stalked me when I would leave, he was not the type to hit just when he was angry. He might go 6-8 mos with out having a cross word with me, and then snap. He was a torturer. Leaving wasn't that hard, staying hidden when being tracked, harder. Laws force woment to let exes see their kids, and then it leaves the mother exposed, plus small children give away info they shouldn't. It is an imperfect system. I had family members who would have helped me more, but I was afraid to put them in danger.
I have always carried a Bulldog .44 as my away from home weapon of choice, and I am a petite woman, 5'2, small boned, and very small hands and wrists, and have never had problems with it. I just keep the shotguns and rifles for at home use, too hard to carry in a cute purse.
Very nice !!!!
thank God for the NRA and the second amendment
Sarah
Your husband cannot legally buy a weapon "for you", it is called a straw purchase. I think he can just purchase one that he thinks you might like and you can use it but the laws are pretty convoluted and each state differs sometime. Your husband prob knows what he can or can't do……. Good Luck
Nearly everyone here believes that certain people shouldn't have certain weapons. How many here think ordinary citizens should be able to nuclear warheads, how about handheld tactical nukes? Well how about stinger missles? How about a tank and cannon? How about a Howitzer? How about guns with silencers? Fully automatic weapons?
Sure there are some nutcases that think every ordinary citizen needs a fully automatic AK-47 in the home, but in reality those weapons aren't for personal defense from rapists, they are weapons of war that most people think we should limit the availability of.
And sure, if you ban tactical nukes from the ordinary citizen, then only the criminals will have them, but that argument only gets you so far.
We all have our limits on what types of weapons we think ordinary citizens should be allowed to own and carry around in public, the question is where do we set the boundary line?
Oscarfoxtango:
Thanks for the kind words. Working on "The Hebrew Kid and Wyatt Earp" now.
I'm also the doofus gun range clerk at the end in the video. Glad you enjoyed it, Miko. I think if more women saw the video it would make Robert's task as described in the article, easier. (I don't get any royalties because the creep producer sold the whole thing out without telling anyone to whom he owed money.)
Bob:
Thanks so much for the correction. I'm pretty sure the Marines were purchasing Wilson magazines for their side arms as the standard issue magazines were a bit flimsy.
either yards or feet would work; obviously in tactical situations we would always speak in either yard or meters. For the uninitiated it's easier to grasp the spatial concepts in feet. Yes, the Lapua is a fine long range interdiction weapon and sharpshooters constantly amaze even with the long in the tooth .303 British. The Barret and other .50's have, ahem, other uses as well as sniper duty. So, excuse the measurement details which were not 'aimed' at fellow gun-toters such as yourself… we once had land in Pagosa Springs- great country but a little parched for our tastes and the foothills of the Blue Rige Mts work very well for us now…
it is indeed important to train in real life scenarios. As Patton once said, the "more sweat on the training field the less blood on the battlefield" but we do recommend ear protection- or you too can become as deaf as we!
A .40 would be more manigable for the little lady, say a nice Sig…
This is why I'm somewhat glad to live in Oklahoma. Just proof of residence and a quick call to the FBI and you're on your way. God bless the red states…
I suggest taking them shooting, for fun, without the implication that they ought to eventually own a weapon or carry.
If someone is nervous about guns, trying to convince them to go armed without removing that nervousness first isn't likely to work all that well.
The Deputy Sheriff said it all and I will repeat it. "IF YOU WANT PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR."
This article made me want to pull my hair. A wheel gun, snub nose for a woman. Why do man recommend that ?The snub nose revolver with double action is the hardest gun to fire and be accurate. Lousy site picture and the recoil is bad. I am a very good shot with .45 and .22 and 9mm pistol semi automatics. I really like the Colt Commander with .38 super. Hot load and easy to shoot. Expnesive ammo though.
I link to xavier a woman gun blogger and quite an expert about the guns for a new beginner that is a woman.
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/04/bustin...
It expains what bothered me about this article.
[...] great article at Big Hollywood that tells the story of why the right to self-defense is necessary. Here’s an excerpt: “Thing is, he’s going to kill [...]
Even these liberals reveal the ridiculousness of what they say …..
In England you don't have a gun and the bobbies don't have a gun so it's
Stop or I'll say Stop again.
Hey that's Barack's answer to Kim Jong Il ….. Hmmmmm …………
It's sad that anyone should be in her position, and should be forced to endure the wait until self defense becomes possible. What's REALLY sad is that ordinary people don't give a crap about her until they hear this heart-wrenching story. And if they never heard it, and only heard about the victim posthumously, they would say it was another good reason for more gun control. People shouldn't NEED a stirring emotional appeal to do the SMART thing! Women shouldn't need a compassionate stranger to help them feel empowered! What we have, though, is a mass media colluding with a liberal aristocracy to prey on the fear of an entire nation to justify the disarming of the entire people. We're bombarded with stories about gun violence. We rarely hear about gun defense.
It shouldn't be necessary to ask you if you trust 911 to always respond before you are killed. Or if you are more afraid of guns than the criminals who also have them. Sadly, this story, this pandering, this emotional drek, it's all very necessary.
The hypocrisy from the left is what gets me the most. Feinstein carries a pistol in her purse. She sees herself as special. It's the same with the global warming crowd. The idiots who want us to drive toy cars are all riding limos and flying private jets. They are a ruling class, above the rest of us and immune from the rules they make for the rest of us. Everyday there is a further erosion of our rights. I feel like I have been dropped into a foreign country. I don't know this country anymore, and I am starting not to like it. Five years ago I couldn't have seen myself anywhere else, now I'm thinking about where I can go to find freedom again. I can easily see a secession movement in this country. We could end up with southern states that are the haven for conservatives.
The answer to concerns about over penetration is hollow points (not legal in New Jersey).
When they hit soft tissue (or drywall) they expand which puts the brakes on them keeping them in the body of the target or in the wall (the added benefit is that they do more tissue damage too … and the name of the game is either disrupt/destroy the central nervous system or facilitate the rapid loss of blood).
Keep in mind that ANY centerfire handgun cartridge is going to go through a typical drywall & 2×4 wall like its not even there, so you should plan for that in a home defense situation. Thats one reason people suggest a shotgun for home defense (although heavier buckshot you'd use for self defense is just as bad as a handgun when it comes to walls).
Robert's writing gets me everytime! As an ex-abused wife, who had a psychotic husband for 14 yrs., let me tell you about restraining orders. Take out a piece of notebook paper. Place it on the floor. Stick a pen between your toes, and then scribble on the piece of paper. There! You now have your very own restraining order! Or, something that is equal in value. Cops are great, when they are there, and they can't always be there, so you have the law. It, unfortunately, is completely screwed up. I've always carried a gun, had one since I was 7, so I was left with the choice of shooting, and possibly going to prison, or trying to go through legal channels, and just stay one step ahead. I nearly lost my life in that game, more than once, ending up in the ICU on multiple occasions.. If any woman is afraid of a man, even a little bit, it is up to YOU to save your own life, learn how to take care of your own self, and don't depend on the law or cops getting to you in time. Please.
Hawaii:
No doubt these insane rules are there to discourage gun ownership. NY also has incredibly complex laws designed to frustrate the law-abiding citizen.
My 16 year old daughter loves to shoot my Springfield XD 45 ACP. I have taught her how to break it down, clean it, load it and safely fire it.
Advice…practice, practice, practice….
Shoot your weapon without earplugs a few times just to get the idea of how loud it really is.
If the occasion comes that you have to defend yourself, it may be in an enclosed space and without
ear protection. The last thing you need in that situation is to be startled by your own weapon.
great article…there are some bad people out there and sometimes its ones we know.
My daughter is going off to college soon and "SHE WILL BE ARMED" !!!!!!
.44 Bulldog, haven't seen one of those in a while.
The main reason I suggest snub-nosed revolvers to women, or even a guy who's never shot before and is looking for a pistol for self defense only is because in most instances where they'd need one, they don't have to be very accurate, or deal with a lot of niceties of shooting since it's going to be 10 feet or less anyhow, and they have the power to end the situation.
One problem I have with 1911s, and I've been around them for a good chunk of my life, is that while they're very good weapons, they're not user friendly without a lot of practice. In the heat of the moment where they'd need to use one do they have one in the chamber? Is the thumb safety on? Where's the hammer at? etc. I've seen even military personnel think their 1911 or Hi Power was "hot" and it wasn't, not because they weren't trained in them, but if a sidearm isn't their primary weapon and they're under stress they just forgot to do everything correctly.
If someone is willing to put the time and effort to become really proficient in whatever weapon they're carrying, then it's different, but if it's one of those "I practice once every other month or so" sorts of people, I figure keeping it simple is best. Having said that my fiancee has always sworn by her .45s, but she's also had extensive combat handgun training so I know women definitely can fire .45s without too many problems. It's all in being able to correctly manipulate whatever weapon you have, and that only comes with putting the time into it until it's second nature, something a lot of people (not just women) either don't have the time or inclination to do even if they are willing to take some basic steps to learn how to defend themselves with a gun.
Ned sounds like a computer nerd from the story, not some tough guy. Ned the computer nerd had probably never been with a woman as attractive as her before, so he became angry, jealous, and obsessed when she broke up with him, because he's unlikely to find another beautiful woman who would date him. Sounds like the type of nerd/loser who would shoot up a school. A good-looking guy would be able to find another good-looking girl, so he wouldn't go crazy about the breakup. The woman maybe wasn't physically attracted to Ned, but bought into the lie that nerds are nice, sensitive guys if only women would give them a chance! How wrong she was.
My theory is at least as good as yours
"15-50 feet small caliber rifles .223. AR-15"????
Maximum effective range for a .223 is over 400 meters. Learned that some time ago. Wouldn't use a .22 for protection unless a last resort.
Joecr, you are absolutely correct. It took several years of thought before I made the decision on whether or not I would use a gun to protect myself. With the rise in crime here in Ga, I decided I would not be a victim. As a female, I carry a Kel-tec .32, small, but I use Hydroshock ammo, so that makes up for the smaller caliber. With a in-pant holster, it is easy to conceal (yes I have a permit) and easy to reach. I tell women, not to put their weapons in their purses, normally the bad guy is going to try and take their money (ie: purse). And learn HOW TO USE IT, classes, and practice !!! Most guns stores here in Ga allow women to use the range FREE on certain days if they buy the gun from them. I now keep a 9mm in the car and a 40 cal in house with in easy reach.
[...] at Big Hollywood, Mr. Avrech has unloaded his nearly photographic memory and diarist skills and given another snapshot of [...]
Again, another good article, Mr. Avrech. Thanks so much for sharing your talents here.
So just for the sake of argument what are we going to do when our elected officials abandon the Constitution (not like they are really following it with any regularity) turn into "Ned", what is America going to do them?
..223, or .556 NATO is an excellent short range round because of it's superior wound ballistics. While it does have a relatively flat trajectory due to it's speed it is not a preferred long range round because of it's small size; little stopping power against anything other than exposed flesh- it can be deflected by say, a small branch. .22's are for plinking and squirrel hunting- AR-15's are .223 cal, so understand the difference between US and NATO designation. For combat up close and personal M-16 and it's civilian variants are great- easy to handle with little recoil. Got it?
Ah, the Nuclear Strawman. Standard-issue argument of people who cannot find a valid reason for depriving people of small arms so they try to drag in nuclear weapons and claim equivalence.
Sorry, fool. You lost when you thought it was a brilliant debating tactic.
If you really are sooooooo worried about nuclear weapons in the hands of private citizens, there's a part of the US Constitution that will help you: Article V. Of course, you're really not worried about it, are you?
…and the rest is other fallacies and strawmen, trying to set some boundary line so you can "negotiate" it down to somewhere below pea-shooters. That got old in the 90's. Odd, I don't recall anyone claiming "every ordinary citizen" needs an AK-47, though I do recall someone thinking an ordinary citizen should have the choice to own one if they wished. Oh, and artillery? Guess what: people do legally own those in the US and the crimes committed using said artillery is negligible. There are some laws affecting that, but if those were suddenly repealed it would be the same, and said laws would not affect any sort of criminal use of said heavy weapons.
You really are staggeringly ignorant if you think your line of "reasoning" is remotely reasonable.
[...] someone is stalking you, you need a gun right now, but when Robert J. Averich meets a young woman in trouble in a gun shop, he is obliged to tell her that she’ll have to [...]
[...] article in Big Hollywood Good article and comments: Big Hollywood
Just like a purse. Same reason, too. To keep things where you need them, like your life.
Massad Ayoob claims the AR15 is the best home defense rifle out there.
Its light, easy to shoot and apparently FMJ (or better yet JHP) ammo doesn't over penetrate dry wall as much as you'd think (I wouldn't know, my AR is currently loaded with SS109).
I, however, wouldn't want to touch off a .223 inside … while I want to eliminate the threat, I really don't want to sacrifice my hearing permanently to do it (side note, this is why I believe we should start a campaign to remove sound suppressors from the NFA. Its for the children!)
You have gotten to the crux of the matter. The Second Amendment is a remedial protection against tyranny. There can be no mistake about that. The framers had just finished a bloody revolution for freedom. They knew full well what tyrannical government was like and how it has to be handled. Many gun rights advocates are reluctant to openly admit it, but that is the heart of the matter. We are under siege from the Statists who just can't see government as anything but benevolent. Luckily we have the best gun salesman in the world for President.
Remember the reaction distance, thirty feet can be covered pretty fast by an attacker. I have some training in Matsubayashi-ryu, which I look at as a way to clear space and distance until my Walther is on point.
Armed combat beats unarmed combat everytime its used. Everytime.
If you scroll up and read my response to dcase, you'll notice I mentioned my AR was currently loaded with SS109.
Steel Core isn't for crackheads.
Maybe. Don't be too surprised when someone in that kind of situation pulls the trigger, maybe a bit late, but pulls it. People can do extraordinary things when they need to.
BUT, try to train out the hesitation. Practice, practice, practice. Get yourself stressed up and try to hit the ten-ring. Noise, lights, run a K before, anything that can get you under stress before shooting will help.
Brilliant!
Everything you said.
Add: Find the lawyer the cops use to defend themselves against actions related to their use of firearms, and make that lawyer your absolute best friend.
"Just in case", like your guns.
Hydro-shoks, actually.
Federal makes them.
My personal self-defense loadout.
I'd vote for that.
Actually I have a list of personal wants:
A 30 mm Avenger cannon from a A-10. Make it easy; just let me have the whole plane.
An AC-130. A "H" variant is fine, I really can't justify a "U".
A M1-A1 Abrams, without the governor, please.
Various mechanized infantry vehicles with attendant weaponry; Bushmaster cannons, grenade launchers, etc. Mortars, the nice big ones, please, with HE and WP rounds, if you don't mind.
The complete 3rd. I.D., full TO&E, and lift assets.
Can the Navy spare "Gipper" CVN-76, (AKA USS Ronald Reagan), air wings and fleet protection assets?
PS: Just leave the nukes on board. Along with the passive action links.
Well, if you're gonna wish, you might as well "go big".
OMG. I laughed so hard, I literally fell off the chair.
Hey, whatever it takes to avoid being a victim, right? If you can't deter them, then disable them. If all else fails, take them out for good!
I saw a story on Fox News last night (I think on The Factor) about a woman who was raped twice in a NYC subway station. She tried to get help from two guys in the booths, but they did nothing. NOTHING.
Bob,
I'm beginning to believe just how many things happen for a reason.
Thank G_d she ran into you that day. I hope she follows it through.
If you can't deter them, then disable them. If all else fails, take them out for good!
I saw a story on Fox News last night (I think on The Factor) about a woman who was raped twice in a NYC subway station. She had tried to get help from two guys in the booths, but they did nothing. NOTHING. Adding insult to injury, she then filed a lawsuit against the Transportation Authority and some judge threw it out (she's appealing).
Sad to say, we're on our own, so we need to take whatever measures we can to protect ourselves.
Remember folks, the Supreme Court has determined that the police have ZERO legal obligation to protect you from criminals.
go Google "Gonzales vs Castle Rock"
I'm glad you liked it. I was afraid I might have crossed the line – and with an armed woman to boot!
I completely agree. One mandman/idiot with a motor vehicle is as dangerous if not MORE dangerous than the madman/idiot with a gun. How many times have you read of someone who drove their car into a crowd and mowed down a large group of people? Like shootings, these events go in waves. You don't see anyone screaming to take away our cars.
Speaking of cars, you all know what they say about guns and Teddy Kennedy's car, right?
Steve, I'm sorry, but you are totally wrong about this.
Criminals interview their victims. As a woman, I am smaller and weaker than a man and make a better victim than a big man. Therefore, women must make sure they have a big "DO NOT MESS WITH ME" sign flashing above their heads at all times. Rapists want a victim, not an armed woman. They see your ability to defend yourself and likely they will move on to some weaker, softer prey.
Funny story: At work several years ago, I was having a conversation at the coffee machine with some people about having car trouble. A man I didn't know was pouring coffee and snorted and said: "I heard about you. I wouldn't help you change your tire on the highway — you'd pull out an Uzi and write your name in bullet holes on the side of my car." I laughed and told him: "Only if you did a bad job changing my tire." He was a friendly guy, but I could tell he was offended by my gun ownership. I wonder why.
As far was "the element of surprise" goes, the best way is never to be attacked at all. Women, advertise your strength and your gun ownership. Rapists want gazelles, not lionesses. Be a lioness.
I personally, LOVE my 9mm Ruger, for a hand gun. It feels great in my hand. I also like the fact that I can keep a magazine in it (without a bullet in the chamber) at certain times and my daughter couldn't lock and load it if she tried (although it is safely out of her way and she wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole). She'll get her own gun later.
I agree Bonnie. There have been many studies about how to deter street violence and it has been shown that body language is important. Confident people who do not show fear are much less likely to be victimized. Your gun ownership wouldn't offend the majority of conservative men, actually it would be quite refreshing and would not be offensive to me in the slightest. I wholeheartedly approve of a woman being proactive in self-defense. One thing however. Most men will not stop and help a woman anymore not because of fear she has a weapon, but fear that they will become the victim of a false accusation or become prey in a trap situation. I have aided women but only in a supermarket parking lot or other highly visible place when there are plenty of witnesses to attest to my behavior. Men are frightened of malicious prosecution. It's really sad that we have let things get so out of hand.
I use a Walther P99, just like James Bond. Please don't hold that against me. LOL!
My loadout is 9 mm 147gr. Hydra-Shok, number one in military and law enforcement where hollow point is permitted. This is a jacketed hollow point with one oddity; a small solid post in the center of the hollow point.
Fluid dynamics dictate when tissue (which is mostly water), encounters the post, the pressure exerted against the sides of the hollow point increase drastically and force expansion of the round. The copper jacket controls the expansion to allow maximum diameter of the bullet without fragmentation or breaking apart. The tests were done by the FBI. And its made in almost all of the popular calibers.
That reminds me; I need a box for the .357 Magnum.
Lock and load, brother!
Don't know if you are around my age but remember the story of Kitty Genoviesse? 1964 and an attacker was knifing her in NYC – her cries for help were ignored by the neighbors
I agree, but when I bought my house I had to sign a paper saying that I wasn't going to use the property for the storage of nuclear or other toxic materials.
I had to get rid of my tactical nukes, darnit!
I think when Speck murdered those nurses, that was the same summer that Charles Whitman climbed the tower at the University of Texas and started shooting at people below. Those were sure some crazy times. I remember a picture in Life of a bunch of Texas good ole boys with their scoped hunting rifles shooting back at Whitman.
On Kitty what i always remember is that when she screamed for help some closed their windows of their apartments because of the "disturbance".
Set the line at nukes.
The weapons of war vs. hunting tools argument ignores that it's moronic to think that the Constitution contains the Second Amendment only to safeguard our right to hunt. Nor is there any reason to think that personal self-defense against rapists is any sort of standard that the founding fathers would have understood. The right to arm sufficiently to defend against rapists arriving as Indian or renegade raiders? Yes. The "militia" argument, while not sufficient to disprove the right to self-defense, does suggest that arms that qualify as weapons of war, to arm a militia, are included rather than excluded. The right to remain armed at a level capable of resisting a government would be foremost in the minds of men who had to do just that.
Rah:
Thanks so much for your feedback. I'm sorry your hair took such a hit. Let me explain my advice:
1. The girl in the gun store was terrified. Melt-down mode. I believe that the relative complexity of a 1911 .45 would have made her flee.
2. She is tiny. Her hands are like Barbie doll hands. Racking the slide on a .45—no way.
3. I know because my wife is also quite small and she cannot rack the slide on my Springfield .45. She uses the S&W .38 and likes it quite a bit. With a little time at the range she's a pretty good shot.
4. Look, I used my best judgment at the moment. I hope my advice was useful.
5. If I was wrong, I deeply regret it and now I'm gonna have even more sleepless nights.
Bill:
Did you know that Arthur Miller's only novel, "Focus," is based on the Kitty Genovese story?
IntenseDebate Notification <DIV>Hi Robert – I did not know that – but remembering that time in 1964 it received so much publicity because it seemed we as a society had crossed some indescribable barrier that we didn't like. </DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV>And I would suspect Arthur Miller described that barrier in his novel…</DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV>Bill</DIV> <DIV style=\”FONT: 10pt arial\”>
Golani:
Hey, how's my IDF chaver? There's also a run on ammo here in La La Land. Comrade Obama might be the best thing that's ever happened to the gun lobby. Take a close look folks, there's a little man behind the curtain full of bluster and wind and little substance. Just ask the Europeans, the Norks, and the Mullahs.
Hank:
Here's me and dogs: Achoo!
Lynne:
I'm heartened that you are no longer controlled by fear. It's a form of enslavement.
I have to tell you, I was extremely careful with what I said to the young lady. I'm no expert, just a dopey Hollywood screenwriter. Her fear and rising panic were palpable. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing and making a bad situation ever worse. I hope you're right, that I did help her in some small way.
I have a Ruger Mark II, Is your Ruger 9 mm a semi auto or revolver? I have a S&W police revolver in 38 cal. that has a good trigger but that is rare. The triiger creep on revolvers do make me flinch. And I do not shoot in the black at 50 yards or 25 yards. Only at 7 yards on a revolver.With a semi 45 cal. 9 mm. 38 super I shoot in the black at 25 yards. With my 22 cal. I shoot in the black at 50 yards but that is designed to be a target gun. Funny paid $160 for it and now worth $1400.Guns do go up in value but I never sell just trade some times within famly .
Personall I have a nice Remington 1100 20 ga with 00 buck for home defense it will not damage the house or furniture much but sure puts a big hole in someone in close house range. Not as manueverable as a handgun but I am very praticed witha shotgun. Plus the 870 pump scares with just the pump rack and that is my sons 12 gauge .
The best thing to do, if possible, is always to break contact and flee.
In the interim period if a person is under imminent threat, they can carry a Taser. In California these are $300-$350 with no waiting period. Pull trigger, assailant stops, pull trigger twice more, drop Taser and run with a thirty second head start. Taser will replace the unit for free if used in self-defense (just send them a copy of the police report).
Pepper spray also has its uses, with some likelihood of both victim and assailant being sprayed. This is better than nothing.
I note that it is nearly impossible to get a concealed weapons permit in California, so a woman outside her home is "fair game." Many states have a "shall issue" permit process, but California allows administrative denials of CCWs. Only judges, lawyers, developers and powerful politicians seem to get permits in many counties. In LA county, forget it! "God made men and women, Smith & Wesson made them equal" . . . but not outside your own door.
[...] Submitted By: Joshuapundit – Robert Averech/Big Hollywood – “I’m Against Guns and Violence, Unfortunately Reality Has Intruded on My Delusional Paradise.” [...]
You must be logged in to post a comment.