I’m often asked why I focus on “women and guns” rather than “people with guns.” It isn’t because I’m a feminist, as some suggest or that I’m not interested in “men’s things.” I’m neither a feminist nor a misandrist. I’m a realist. The biological reality: women are different than men. Our bodies are different, and not just in the obvious ways. Because of our hormonal system, we often have different emotional reactions to the exact same stimuli . . .
In the face of extreme danger, many women feel scared and want to flee. Many men tend to want to buck-up and fight. Again, this isn’t an “every woman and every man” deal. An attacker laboring under the impression that Momma Bear will turn tail and run may face a rude surprise. And there’s nothing “unmanly” about fleeing from avoidable danger. But these “stereotypes” are there for a reason.
Setting aside the debate over nurture vs. nature, the bio-chemical differences between men and women lead them to mentally process stimuli in different ways. When I was pregnant, the diaper commercial where the baby reached for her mom made me sob. My husband, not so much. He likes violent movies, the more gore the better. Me, not so much.
When it comes to guns, men and women have different concealed carry needs. If nothing else they have differently shaped bodies and dress codes, requiring various types of holsters and guns. It is also true that women tend to be more recoil averse than men, and don’t care as much about what their friends think about their gun.
Women want to know what products work for them: holsters, clothing and more. Pink guns? Chi-chi range bags? Those too. There’s a legitimate economical need for all of these products, or manufacturers wouldn’t be making them. I review them because women want them. Besides, y’all don’t want to see RF in Girls With Guns yoga pants, now do you?
When it comes to guns, sometimes women just want to hear what another woman has to say. Much like men will often like the hear what another man’s suggestion will be, rather than their female significant other’s opinion (e.g., that gun looks ridiculous!)
I want women to be active in their own self defense, to overcome any cultural indoctrination that predisposed them towards relying entirely on others — male or female — for their safety and the safety of their loved ones.
I respect both genders equally. I understand that both are different and in the best ways. That’s how it is meant to be. As a woman, I may be able to help other wives and mothers be better armed self-defenders in a way a man cannot. We are different, but equal. Arming more women will ensure that it stays that way.