By Rachel Chumita
September 05, 2006
Unfortunately, many women don’t see it that way. Many
women look at guns as scary weapons, instead of a great means of
self-defense. Instead of choosing the right to arm themselves, women
take useless self-defense classes. I am a strong believer that
self-defense classes often cause more harm than good. They give women a
false sense of security. I know, this firsthand because I took a
self-defense class one semester of college. Every night after getting
out of class I would think to myself “I dare any rapist to try to mess
with me.” All that changed though when I decided to practice some of my
moves on my husband (then boyfriend). Although he is a bit on the
smaller side, it amazed me at how easily he overpowered me. I’ve heard
feminists claim that women are every bit as strong as men. If that were
true, why do women have to meet lower standards than men for physical
agility tests? Although I’ve met some pretty tough girls, the vast
majority of women would not be able to defend themselves against even
the smallest of men.
Being only 4’11”, I am well aware that I would be an easy target. A
firearm gives me a chance to defend myself. The risk I am at due to my
size used to be a major concern to me, before I met Chris, the man who
would become my husband. When I met him I knew a little about guns, and
I thought they were a good thing; but I never really thought that I
would be able to shoot one, let alone be able to carry one around with
me. Like I said though, that was before I met my husband. Chris taught
me just how important Second Amendment rights are. He took me to the
shooting range and taught me how to handle and shoot a gun. I learned
that guns aren’t just for guys; I was actually able to hit a target! For
our one year anniversary of dating, Chris bought me a cute little Kel-Tec
P3AT that fit my hand a lot better than his Sigs. I was surprised at how
easily I was able to shoot and control my new gun. I now believe that I
proficient enough in my skills to get my concealed handgun license (CHL).
However, lately a women’s right choose is under attack. So called
women’s rights organizations will fight over the right to abort an
unborn baby, but they completely oppose the rights of women to defend
themselves with firearms. Numerous stores across Ohio have posted no
concealed carry signs, which put women at more of a risk of getting
raped or killed. The law prohibits concealed carry on college campuses,
making female students more vulnerable to attack as they walk to and
from classes; especially night classes. Politicians say they’re for
women’s rights, but then they turn around and pass anti-gun legislation!
Employer’s are careful not to discriminate against women while hiring,
but then they ban employees from carrying; making those same women
defenseless.
Its time for more people to stand up for a woman’s right to choose. The
right to choose when and where she wants to carry. The right to choose
between a semi-auto and a revolver. The right to choose between a Kel-Tec
and a Glock. And the right to choose how big of a bullet she wants to
put into someone who tries to rape or kill her or one of her children!
Its time for more women to stand up and say “We want the freedom of
choice.” And by “choice” I mean a worthwhile right, a right that’s
actually granted by the constitution. It’s also time for more men to
stand up for their woman’s right. More men should educate their moms,
wives, girlfriends, and sisters about their right to keep and bear arms.
Guys should be taking girls to the shooting range, teaching them how to
defend themselves, and showing them that guns are not just guy things
and are anything but “bad”. Yes, as a woman, I have the right to choose,
and I’m choosing to protect myself.