Gun Rights are Women's Rights

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Do you agree that women should have the right to defend themselves against rapists? The only way to ensure this is to give women the means to self-defense, namely, weapons.

The rest of the world seems to avoid rapes without arming women at least as well as the US does. Gun control does not rob people of a right to self defence. Nor does a gun make you necessarily any better off. If your assailant has a gun, too, you're probably very much worse off, in fact.

Usual caveats; I'm a gun owner and conservative, please noone attack me as a gun hating liberal for acknowledging firearms aren't a magic wand for neutralising anxieties.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Oh it definitely can in tight quarters. And this is even ignoring the fact that one doesn't need proper gun training to own a gun. What happens when an untrained person starts using one for self defense? Or do we expect everyone to go through that training?

Pepper spray, on the other hand, requires very little instruction and works very effectively.

Pepper spray and other non lethal alternatives also have the benefit of not putting a potential user in a moral quandry over their use when needed.

 

[Jesster]

Pepper spray and other non lethal alternatives also have the benefit of not putting a potential user in a moral quandry over their use when needed.

Or legal quandary.

 

[Revoltingest]

Oh it definitely can in tight quarters. And this is even ignoring the fact that one doesn't need proper gun training to own a gun. What happens when an untrained person starts using one for self defense? Or do we expect everyone to go through that training?

Pepper spray, on the other hand, requires very little instruction and works very effectively.

I loathe having inadequately trained people carrying guns.
But for discussion purposes we may separate the issue of having the right.
And yes, pepper spray is a good option. Even I carry it.
Less than lethal is still useful.
But some training even for that is a good idea, eg,
when to use/not use it, how to carry, how to deploy,
& which type to carry for one's expected travels.

Pepper spray in tight quarters....
Have you ever gotten an accidental whiff of the stuff?
Hoo boy! It sure gets one's attention!

 

[Jesster]

I loathe having inadequately trained people carrying guns.
But for discussion purposes we may separate the issue of having the right.
And yes, pepper spray is a good option. Even I carry it.
Less than lethal is still useful.
But some training even for that is a good idea, eg,
when to use/not use it, how to carry, how to deploy,
& which type to carry for one's expected travels.

Yes, some training is a good idea for pepper spray. That's why I pointed out that it takes "very little" instruction. You still need some, but the consequences without it are far less troublesome. Error with any form of defense is bad, but some are worse than others.

And for the record when it comes to guns, I support the right to bear arms (as I've stated, I own one). I just think we're letting that fly far too loose without proper regulation.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yes, some training is a good idea for pepper spray. That's why I pointed out that it takes "very little" instruction. You still need some, but the consequences without it are far less troublesome. Error with any form of defense is bad, but some are worse than others.

And for the record when it comes to guns, I support the right to bear arms (as I've stated, I own one). I just think we're letting that fly far too loose without proper regulation.

Well dang....are you going to give me anything to disagree with?

 

[Jesster]

Well dang....are you going to give me anything to disagree with?

Yes. Pineapple is acceptable on pizza.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yes. Pineapple is acceptable on pizza.

Fail!
I like ham & pineapple on pizza...as long as the cheese is feta.

 

[Jesster]

Fail!
I like ham & pineapple on pizza...as long as the cheese is feta.

Hmm. This might get tricky then.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Do you agree that women should have the right to defend themselves against rapists? The only way to ensure this is to give women the means to self-defense, namely, weapons.

Do much travelling? Would you like to see the same as applies in the USA applying everywhere else? Think that would reduce or increase violence and/or deaths, including any females? Bit of a red herring the defence argument when, if there are more weapons in circulation, the likelihood of them being used is increased - which is what appears to be the case. The women issue won't be solved by giving them guns. Not an expert (of course) but I assume it takes some knowledge and commitment to actually use a weapon, and as per the teacher situation, many will lack one or both of these. Not really an option to make all experts at killing is it?

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I'd rather address the sexism that contributes to a culture of sexual assault than pretend adding guns is helping keep women safe from it.

 

[BSM1]

What if the man has a gun too?

Then at least she'll have a fighting chance.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

What if the man has a gun too?

or takes the gun away?

My thought is that it would be better if people learned self-defense techniques...and remember, there are plenty of weapons other than firearms...

 

[Jesster]

or takes the gun away?

My thought is that it would be better if people learned self-defense techniques...and remember, there are plenty of weapons other than firearms...

I've learned self defense techniques, but I can assure you that they won't save you often enough (especially if you're as uncoordinated and physically inept as I am). It still helps, but I'd still recommend that pepper spray on top of that.

 

[Altfish]

I loathe having inadequately trained people carrying guns.
But for discussion purposes we may separate the issue of having the right.
And yes, pepper spray is a good option. Even I carry it.
Less than lethal is still useful.
But some training even for that is a good idea, eg,
when to use/not use it, how to carry, how to deploy,
& which type to carry for one's expected travels.

Pepper spray in tight quarters....
Have you ever gotten an accidental whiff of the stuff?
Hoo boy! It sure gets one's attention!

Grief, where you live must be like the wild west!!
I live in Manchester, England - I have done for 60+ years - maybe I've been lucky BUT I've never carried a gun, a knife, pepper spray and I've never been attacked. My wife is the same, never attacked, never carried.
Of course I've seen fights in pubs, bars and clubs and they occasionally involve dangerous weapons ie the use of a glass or two. But normally it is fists.

You really put me off visiting the US, if you need to carry weapons, it can't be safe.

 

[metis]

It's well-established that when it comes to women killed by their partners, a gun in the home is a significant risk factor.

Overall, women are less safe in societies with more guns.

On Fareed Zakaria's program several weeks ago, a researcher on this topic summed it up this way, and I can quote him: "Anyone who keeps a loaded gun in their house is an idiot". [his words, not mine] The stats on this aren't even close.

 

[metis]

The best cure is preventative, and there are a lot of things one can do to make their home safer. OTOH, when in public, it's best to not try and kill an attacker but to use other methods, such as yelling, screaming, pooping or peeing one's pants, etc. IOW, don't allow one's self to be removed from the scene. Be aware of who's around you, and park in areas whereas a potential kidnapper is more likely to be seen by others, like parking under street lights or maybe a further distance away whereas your car is more in the open. Never try to get into your car if anyone is nearby, and then immediately lock the door and start the car. Etc.

 

[ChristineM]

Do you agree that women should have the right to defend themselves against rapists? The only way to ensure this is to give women the means to self-defense, namely, weapons.

There are more ways to protect ourselves than shooting (or stabbing):an attacker, all it needs is a little training.

 

[ChristineM]

Oh it definitely can in tight quarters. And this is even ignoring the fact that one doesn't need proper gun training to own a gun. What happens when an untrained person starts using one for self defense? Or do we expect everyone to go through that training?

Pepper spray, on the other hand, requires very little instruction and works very effectively.

Pepper spray is illegal in many countries but some effective tactics are a knee in the *****, a kick in the knee, straight fingers to the throat, a poke on the eye. Just some obvious ones without having the hassle of rooting through your handbag if you do happen to be in a country pepper spray is legal.

 

[Stanyon]

What if the man has a gun too?

If someone has a knife and you are in a situation where there is no alternative but to fight, would you rather a knife or not have one?