Suppose a Hollywood star or a political figure publicly announced that he or
she favored making all women and families helpless and defenseless against
vicious thugs. Would women cheer and vow their undying support for that person?
Yet if you believe the published polls and the media news showmen, then it's
true: women actually want to be defenseless. Many women don't want to be able
to protect themselves or their families from crazies, druggies, violent
ex-boyfriends, rapists, home invaders and stalkers. What's more, these women
want to prevent other women from protecting themselves, too.
When some women say they want more "gun control," they are actually
saying they want to make it harder for peace-loving women to obtain personal
and home defense tools. All current and proposed "gun laws" work to
discourage firearm ownership. Except for the shall-issue concealed carry rules
in some states, none of the "gun laws" does anything to help an
endangered woman obtain a firearm and learn how best to use it for
self-defense.
Facts About Self-Defense
For the woman who values the safety of herself and her family, a firearm can be
literally a lifesaver. Here are the facts:
- Americans use firearms to protect themselves over 5,000 times per day -- that's
over 3 defensive uses every minute.
- Over 500 women use firearms to defend themselves against sexual assault or
abuse each day -- that's one woman protected every 3 minutes.
- In over 92% of defensive gun use cases, the victim brandished the firearm arm
or fired a warning shot only -- no wounding or killing was involved.
- Research has shown it is safer to defend against violent attack using a firearm
than to resist with other means such as wielding knives, hitting back, or
running away.
- National Safety Council data for 1995 show the number of accidental deaths
involving firearms misuse are far less than those resulting from accidents
involving falls, poison, drowning and fires. This is especially true for
children age 14 and under.
- Regional and national studies confirm that criminals avoid targets (men, women,
homes, buildings) where the potential victims might be armed.
Bottom line: Armed citizens are safer.
Facts About Government-ordered Protection
What can the anti-self defense lobby and the government offer to protect women?
Let's check the options:
| Options |
|
Dangerous realities |
| Dial 911 / call police |
|
(1) Police have no legal duty to respond and prevent crime or protect the
victim
(2) 95% of the time police arrive too late to prevent a crime or arrest the
suspect
|
| Cell phone 911 |
|
(1) In over 90% of U.S., technology does not give dispatcher the location of
caller (who might be lost or unable to explain)
(2) Worthless if phone or cell don't function at the time |
| Restraining/Protective Orders
|
|
(1) 75% of orders are violated
(2) Police often won't enforce unless they
witness the violation
(3) An order is a piece of paper ...
|
| "Gun control" laws |
|
Disarm victims, have no effect on criminals. |
| User-restricted firearms |
|
(1) Mandatory trigger locks slow down the defender only, not the attacker.
(2) Electronic restriction chip can fail / battery can die.
|
Tell Women The Truth
Don't ask women whether they favor more "gun control" laws. Ask them
instead: "do you favor laws that prevent women from protecting themselves
and their families from violent criminals?" Women need to understand that
the real issue is self-defense. Every three minutes there is a woman defending
herself with a sidearm.
Violence against women is immoral, illegal and intolerable. That's why it's
wrong to disarm women and leave them defenseless against predators.
To bring this point home, JPFO has a nationwide billboard campaign with a
matching funds program to get local people involved. The theme: Rapists love
trigger locks. These billboards show exactly how crucial a defensive firearm is
for women.
Get involved today by calling (800) 869-1884 or (800) 869-1884. See the
billboard at www.jpfo.org.
Ask about JPFO's all-new myth-busting booklet "Can Gun Control Make You
Safer?"
(Research references for this column available on request.)
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