Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site lanl.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!epsilon!zeta!sabre!bellcore!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!think!harvard!seismo!cmcl2!lanl!crs 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> Distribution: net Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory Lines: 70 > > > > 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 ...!{cmcl2,ihnp4,...}!lanl!crs crs@lanl.arpa