Growing numbers of women are arming themselves

[hack89]

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A growing number of women are arming themselves with self-defense knowledge and weapons, they say, to protect their families and property from crimes.

"I've got a really wide diverse cross-section of women and all for different reasons too," Pierini said. "For some it's safety, for some it's confidence, for some it's because they have children in the home and they want to address issues of safe handling and storage."

"It's a big responsibility, carrying a gun on you for self-defense is more than just I have a gun and I feel good because I can do anything," Cox said. "You have to be ready with that weapon and be trained with it to deter the threat."

Still, more people are taking on that responsibility. Fresno County reports a dramatic increase in applications for CCW permits, doubling from 2010 to 2011. To the point where the wait now is almost a year.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8652385

That damned backlash again!

[oneshooter]

1. A year wait for a CHL? That is ridiculous.

In Texas the wait can stretch as long as 3 months, depending on how many applications are received. I believe that the average is 60 days for reups and 75 for new apps.

Oneshooter

[Go Vols]

36. .

My mother got her CCP for the first time here in Tenn. a few months ago,took 2-3 weeks before it came in the mail after applying and fingerprints.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Thank goodness crime rates are dropping.

Maybe it's the nuts with guns that's scaring these women.

[hack89]

9. So violent criminals are not a concern?

they are the ones responsible for the vast majority of gun deaths. The demographics of crime are very well known - we understand who is killing who.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. I thought we were becoming less violent....(your stats)

.........or are we?

[hack89]

13. They are still out there. Crime is not zero.

since it does not represent a threat to you, what's your concern?

[Remmah2]

30. Maybe it's the empowered women and citizens that are sending a message to the criminals.

Could be.

[bowens43]

3. our nation desperately racing to third world status

....unf*cking believable. We need to turn this trend around. It should be close to impossible for the average American to get his/her hands on a hand gun and no one should be able to carry a concealed weapon.

[oneshooter]

4. Why?

[hack89]

5. You do understand that American violent crime rates and gun deaths are at a 50 low

and steadily declining?

So if gun ownership has skyrocketed over the past 30 years and gun deaths have plummeted, what exactly is your concern?

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Then why the need for all the weapons?

Something is fucked up.

[hack89]

7. Completely irrelevant

that's how civil liberties work - I don't have to justify me exercising them. The government has to prove they have a valid reason to restrict them.

Perhaps your irrational fear is that "something" you are searching for.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. So, no answer to the question?

That figures.

[hack89]

12. "Because" is a perfectly acceptable answer when it comes to civil liberties.

look - you can't have it both ways. First you want to ban guns because they are a danger to society. Now you want to ban guns because there is no need for them.

Why not cut the BS and simply admit you want to ban guns because you don't like them?

[Glaug-Eldare]

27. In the words of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland,

"A citizen may not be required to offer a "good and substantial reason" why he should be permitted to exercise his rights. The right's existence is all the reason he needs."

[TheCowsCameHome]

28. Nice evasion

You repeatedly post on DU that the crime rate is declining, and now you say CCW permits are on the rise among women.

Is there a link between the two? That's all I want to know from you. Is-there-a-link? Simple question. Nothing else.

And where did I say I wanted guns banned, or that they weren't needed? Please cite the post, I'll be waiting.

The only BS in this thread is coming from you.

[hack89]

32. There is no link. There is no correlation between increased gun ownership and violent crime

the only thing one can say with any certainty is that more guns do not mean more deaths. That is a fact. The reasons behind it are complex.

It should be close to impossible for the average American to get his/her hands on a hand gun and no one should be able to carry a concealed weapon.

Ok - so you support guns for the 1%. Or does "close to impossible" imply a higher rate of gun ownership? Who gets to decide what Constitutional rights I can enjoy?

[gejohnston]

16. Sometimes,

"why not" is the best answer. Each individual has her own reason. Some of them would be "a good reason" for you. Some won't. Look on the bright side:
women are inherently better shots than men
I never knew of a woman being stupid with one (other than poor security).

[slackmaster]

8. It's all about people deciding for themselves what they need and want to own and do

Why is that so hard for some people to understand?

[GreenStormCloud]

18. The U.S. does not have a Department of Needs.

I don't have to give anyone a reason why I "need" a gun, all I have to do is want one and have the money. Gun ownership is a civil right.

[jeepnstein]

20. That's how being Free works.

We have rights in this country that go far and beyond what many places could even imagine. And for the most part the system works beautifully. Of course this really bothers some people who think they need to control everyone's every waking moment, and even control when and with whom they sleep. I prefer freedom.

[PavePusher]

15. How do you suggest people equip themselves for self defense?

Or are you going to volunteer to provide security for them?

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

19. Great confusion and frequent accidents...

...would occur if individuals armed themselves for their own defense. Here in NJ we've seen the light and not only have less than 1,000 concealed carry permits been issued (mostly to 1%ers) but it's illegal to even pump your own gas. Both of these activities are best left to trained professionals.

[PavePusher]

23. Bubble-wrap for everyone. n/t

[ileus]

25. I was wondering about that

Yesterday when I stopped by the BP to fill up and noticed a NJ tagged car parked by the door.

"I wonder if they went inside for assistance? " really what kind of state doesn't trust people to pump petrol?

The first time I pulled into a NJ station I was confused...

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

29. Machiavelli:

"When you disarm your subjects you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or lack of faith, you distrust them; and either conclusion will induce them to hate you."

Wasn't there some other saying about learning from history?

[Remmah2]

31. The people in the article are legally obtaining firearms.

The problem with the system is it does not punish those illegally obtaining firearms.

[ileus]

14. Rude impolite baser gunner toterettes...

Aren't women supposed to use Keys and bobbie pins to protect themselves?

Or just carry a whistle???

[oneshooter]

17. Or just, as one poster put it"lay back and enjoy it".

[Glaug-Eldare]

22. The IL State Police have a whole list of ideas, such as vomiting on yourself

http://web.archive.org/web/20110426035349/http://www.isp.state.il.us/crime/saconfronted.cfm

"There is documentation of assailants that left a would-be-victim alone after she told him that she was pregnant and it would kill her baby. (Some case were women that were too old to even have a baby.)

Telling an attacker that you have VD or AIDS can discourage him. "That's OK, so do I"

It may sound disgusting, but putting your fingers into you throat and making yourself vomit usually gets results. (This method is not often used except as a last resort.)

Use your imagination and you can think of others."

[ileus]

24. Wonder what DC recommends ?

[DonP]

26. Show 'em your property tax bill and you'll both vomit.

Works in Chicago too.

But I think the official Illinois State Police recommendations are to put your keys between your fingers and carry a rat tail comb to use to defend yourself.

[PavePusher]

34. "Relax and take it."

In a nut-shell.

[gejohnston]

35. DC public official says

it is better to be frightened or injured.

[GreenStormCloud]

21. That is a good thing.

Doubling of the number of application on only one year is impressive.

[ileus]

33. it's nice to see the ladies embracing freedom and security.

How much more progressive can one be?