Whenever I debate gun control, I wait until I’ve backed the anti-gunner into a corner. I listen for the moment when their flawed logic collapses under its own weight (or lack thereof) and they resort to emotional appeals. You know: “How can you be pro gun rights knowing that a five-year-old is going to blow his head off with his Daddy’s gun or a drunk is going to shoot his wife and kids?” And then I ask, yes, but—what about rape? Should a woman be able to defend herself against rape by using a handgun?
Unlike robbery, rape is inherently, inescapably violent. And unavoidably psychologically devastating. No matter what argument the antis marshal against “allowing” women to arm themselves against sexual assault (the antis usually change the subject), there’s no getting around the simple truth: no humane society leaves its women (and yes men) defenseless in the face of sexual brutalization.
As in all things there are gray areas. Should a woman locked in an abusive relationship—a victim who has refused help from “the authorities” and/or friends on numerous occasions—be able to decide that’s it, this much and no more, and then shoot her abuser? Where’s the line between self-defense and premeditated murder?
I reckon that’s one for the courts to decide on a case by case basis.
But whenever I hear of any random violence against women, I shake my head and silently pronounce “If only they’d had a gun . . .” Watching I Survived is often a deeply painful, yet profoundly important, process. Clock the following story of a Detroit serial killer [via cnn.com]:
Detroit police are investigating the death of two women whose bodies, burned beyond recognition, were found in the trunk of a car on fire early Christmas Day.
Less than a week earlier, the bodies of another two women were found in the trunk of a car parked at a vacant dwelling, Detroit police said.
Three of the four victims were linked to online ads that “specifically dealt with prearranged adult dating services,” Police Chief Ralph L. Godbee said at a Monday afternoon news conference.
“We felt it is imperative to alert the public that deciding to meet unknown persons via the Internet can be extremely dangerous,” Godbee added . . .
Godbee identified the website carrying ads that three of the victims were linked to as backpage.com.
The website did not immediately respond to an e-mail from CNN Monday afternoon seeking comment after Godbee’s news conference.
The Internet is a happy hunting ground for serious bad guys. But it’s also a place where gun ignorant or firearms-aversive readers can take on board information that can save their life. Such as . . .
Women: buy a gun. Learn how to shoot it. Carry it with you at all times—even in the house. If someone is in the process of trying to inflict death or bodily harm (e.g. rape) on your person, use the weapon before they can hurt or kill you or yours.
If you live in a place where concealed carry laws prevent you from buying and carrying a firearm, speak out. There are far too few women lobbying for gun rights. Look the bureaucrat and politician in the eye and ask them: “If someone was about to rape you, would you want to have a gun?”