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From: crs@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: rape and other assorted stuff
Message-ID: <27704@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 28-Jun-85 15:48:49 EDT
Article-I.D.: lanl.27704
Posted: Fri Jun 28 15:48:49 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 1-Jul-85 08:09:21 EDT
References: <191@cuuxa.UUCP> <2919@sdcc3.UUCP> <2301@sun.uucp> <257@kontron.UUCP> <402@h-sc1.UUCP>
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Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
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> > 
> > Gee, Sunny, I think you need to keep up with rapidly improving technology.
> > Samuel Colt perfected a high-tech device just last century which makes a
> > 100 pound weakling (regardless of sex) the equal of a 200 pound ogre.  It's
> > called a firearm.  Go ahead!  Improve the species!  Scatter whatever it is
> > that a rapist keeps in his brain cavity all over the sidewalk!
> > 
> >         "God made men --- Col. Colt made them equal."
> >         
> 
> I would think that by the time a woman realized she was about to be raped
> the 200 pound ogre would have already grabbed her.  I sincerely doubt he
> would give his victim even enough time to try to run if he could help it.
> And I would be scared shitless he would just grab the gun out of my purse
> and threaten me with it.  (I know, I'm a spineless wimp.)  And as many
> people have said before, I'm not sure that most people are really capable
> of shooting someone, with no hesitation (and she who hesitates is lost).
> I don't think I am (yep, a real jellyfish).  I don't know what the answer
> is for people like me.  A self-defense class would certainly be a good
> first step.
> 
> 
> 	marie

While I enjoy shooting (mostly skeet) I'm afraid that I agree with
some of the posting that suggest a handgun would be of little use to a
potential rape victim *on the street* for the reasons that Marie and
others have suggested.  For those rapes that occur after the rapist
has broken into you home, it may be a different matter.  I would,
however, suggest a shotgun loaded with small shot (say # 9) rather than
a pistol for several reasons.  

	1.  Most people, rapists included, are likely to realize
	that they are more likely to be hit by a shotgun wielding
	resident than by one with a handgun and so may be more
	likely to give up their plans.

	2.  If it comes to a situation where actually shooting is
	called for, the likelihood of hitting the target *is*
	greater with the shotgun.

	3.  While the small shot that I recommended should be
	more than adequate at the close range involved, unlike
	a solid bullet, it is unlikely to penetrate your walls
	and, perhaps, your next door neighbor or some passer by.

If you do choose to use any firearm for self defense, for your own sake
and that of your family and neighbors LEARN TO USE IT and PRACTICE at
a range so that you become sufficiently competent to use it without
blowing your foot off or worse AND sufficiently confident that, if it
becomes necessary to defend yourself, you will neither rush and shoot
some late returning member of your family not delay until a real
housebreaker takes it away from you.  All too often people buy a gun
for self defense and then assume that it's mere possesion will do the
job with no effort on their part -- the view that is so often
portrayed on TV.  Don't believe it.

Owning a firearm is a big responsibility -- treat it accordingly.

One last thing -- Make sure, at the very least, that every member of
your family including children go to the range and see just what a gun
can do and why, therefore, it is not a toy.  The best safety devices
are knowledgeable and careful people.  Get someone who knows to show
you how to handle it safely -- ALL OF YOU.


-- 
Charlie Sorsby
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