Feminine Protection

[Gordy Wesen]

Every guy wants to see the wife ably armed. We evaluate their abilities and try to choose what will work. Then we do our best to keep them aware and ready. My wife packs pepper spray and a fixed blade. She knows how to shoot but does not carry.
Question is, what have you found works for the woman in your life?

And, if your wife travels and can no longer carry a small knife or pepper spray what would you advise?

 

[Stickjockey]

My wife generally packs a small folding knife and sometimes a small can of pepper spray. We're still working on the packin' heat thing, but since she rarely goes out anywhere without me, it's a team effort.

Just out of curiosity, are you referring to your wife in the can't carry spray part? Why can't she carry it?

Finally, I've found it best to let them evaluate their own abilities and decide for themselves what works best. Not to flame anyone; just my admittedly limited experience.

 

[Jammer Six]

We evaluate their abilities and try to choose what will work.

Trying to evaluate my wife's abilities would get me kicked out in the snow without my shoes.

It's hard to imagine settling for a woman who would let me choose a weapon for her.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I think women should be able to determine that for ourseleves. Yet, if I couldn't carry a knife or pepper spray, I'd pick up an Arnis stick in Chinatown -- once you learn to use it, it's a valuable weapon. Otherwise if I could carry, I'd prefer to keep my guns with me.

 

[GySgt]

With all due respect, most women just don't have the knowledge to choose what's best for them. That's not their fault, they're just interested in different things. And PAX...Don't bother to flame me, because I know that some women do think they know everything And this question doesn't really apply to the women on this forum anyway. You girls are a different breed. I don't presume to be an expert on cooking, quilting, sewing, house cleaning, diaper changing, or childbirth....but I am "reasonably" knowledgable about self defense!!! That said, if she feels comfortable packing, get her the right training. If not, educate her in the use of pepper spray, taser, etc and let her make up her own mind. You can't tell anyone, male, or female anything they don't want to hear and it's simply a waste of your time to do so. My advice is to PRAY she will see the light and take some self defense classes. Short of that, just PRAY that she never needs it and take out a LARGE life insurance policy on her!!

Good Luck, you're going to need it!!

GySgt

 

[BigG]

Imho you can't want something for somebody more than they want it for themselves. A weapon is not the answer for a person whose reaction is to cower in the face of danger, which unfortunately is the reaction a large % of the population exhibits.

I sat on the grand jury Monday and heard testimony about an armed female who was disarmed and made to suck on the barrel of her Bryco .380. Luckily the officers broke down the door and disarmed the suspect before he pulled the trigger.

 

[pax]

Gordy,

My husband isn't really into shooting and isn't all that interested in self defense topics. So I do the research for both of us, and keep him apprised of things I think he ought to know.

I absolutely would not encourage him to carry a knife, as he is not willing to take an ongoing class in how to use one. If he had any sort of a problem with hand strength or upper body strength, I wouldn't ask him to rely for his defense upon a tool that requires both.

Pepper spray is useful in some situations, and we've talked about it. My concern for him is that (again) without some knowledgeable instruction in how to use the spray, it's not that great a tool -- especially if one doesn't have a backup plan if the spray doesn't work. People tend to think that one little spritz and the BG will go away. Sometimes it works that way, but when it doesn't, the person using the spray is in a world of hurt if they don't have a Plan B. That's quite apart from any concerns about whether he'd be able to get to the pepper spray in time to do any good; it'd probably be buried with all the other crud under the seat of his van or something when he needed it.

He's getting a carry gun for Christmas, one he chose himself (sort of -- he thought he was helping me evaluate it, but he kept saying things like, "I really like this gun, I think I could carry it ..." and I took the hint). He's already planning to take a shooting class in the spring so that other people can work with him and teach him to shoot.

It is generally a bad idea for people who are married or dating seriously to teach their partners how to shoot. There are just too many pitfalls and too much fallout from the emotional entanglements and the egos of both parties.

Finally, I would note that women are people. We aren't another species! Women generally have smaller hands than men generally do (but not always) and are generally weaker in the upper body (but not always). Other than such physical differences -- differences which occur between men as well -- there really isn't any reason you should be asking men what's best for women. Why get the info second hand when you could ask women themselves?

GySgt,

The sig du jour is for you.

pax

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. -- Robert Heinlein

 

[sm]

Single, but have been married. Currently no ladies in my life. I do have ladies as friends. In the past have assisted with teaching new shooters and CCW. I agree with pax's views, they mirror my experiences.

My ex could care less about pepper spray, or a blade. Rarely carried a purse, she preferred to CCW. I didn't have a problem with her attitude...hard to find fault with " If I need to stop an immediate action, I really don't want to be close enough to use a blade or spray...especially if more than one". Quite a few have this sentiment...ladies included.

We started students with a model 18 and went from there, eventually shooting a variety of platforms and calibers ...we had some holsters too, we strongly urged "try before you buy". I've said before and its true the woman were better students, I felt more comfortable with many of the ladies taking care of personal safety moreso than the guys. They made better choices for themselves ,learned how to use, and practiced.

I even had a few ladies remark I wasn't a "species" actually called me a gentleman a few times...I had to look up the meaning of "gentleman"...

 

[Shootin' Buddy]

GySgt,

For your own personal safety, it's probably just as well that none of the women you hang out with know how to shoot.

Don

 

[Sharpie1]

GySgt,

With all due respect, most women just don't have the knowledge to choose what's best for them.

Hmmm. I don't know most women (there are a lot of them), so I guess I'm not qualified to comment on this remark.

By the way, do you work in a gun store?

TD

 

[semf]

My wife likes small fixed blades, every time I get one I like she takes it away from me. I decided that she, being a meek uneducated Vietnamese farm girl with a 3rd grade education, needed some training in the manly art of knife fighting if she insisted on carrying the damn thing. She was really making me mad because she wouldn't take it seriously, I guess this finally made her mad and she showed me some things her mother taught her that curled my hair. I never brought the subject up again. She has a doctor's knowledge of the human body and what causes it pain.
She regularly carries a .38 when she can (no permit) , if you mess with her and you're real lucky she'll only shoot you.

 

[Majic]

Why some people think women lack basic intelligence is beyond me. They survive life every day on their wits just as a man. They also have longer life spans, so maybe they know something we men don't. Never underestimate a woman, and look out if you get on her bad side.
Gysgt you have alot to learn making general statements about women based on the few you have known in your lifetime. Just because someone's interest doesn't fall into your private little realm you think they lack intelligence? That's about as arrogant as anyone can get, yet call themselves intelligent.

 

[DorGunR]

semf posted:
I guess this finally made her mad and she showed me some things her mother taught her that curled my hair. I never brought the subject up again. She has a doctor's knowledge of the human body and what causes it pain.

semf......now you know what we were up against in Vietnam. This is not intended as a put down on your wife. I'm just saying the VC were some tough fighters.

 

[BigG]

In all fairness, some of you need to look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls before unloading on GySgt.

He said they lack "knowledge." Knowledge is specific data that can be acquired about something. It has nothing to do with intelligence. He even said they are interested in other things, i.e., they have intelligence to look into whatever interests them. Apparently in his experience most of the women he knows are not interested in GUNS, therefore they acquire little data about them. Funny, my experience mirrors his. You cannot prove your case by citing the exception, i.e., stating, "my sixteen year old sister is a gun nut." I will bet you money that if the interests of 100 women were polled by an independent org, guns would not even register on the radar screen.

 

[Sean Smith]

We evaluate their abilities and try to choose what will work.

They should choose. If you know more than they do, teach them so they can choose. Choosing for them is generally patronizing, and often causes them to resent the whole exercise as a result.

 

[cameroneod]

Mine carries a Darringer in her bra, a glock subcompact (thunderwear or purse) and a shotgun in her car. Alaskan woman.

 

[TonyB]

I wish my wife would get her permit.....she likes to shoot,but can't seem to comit the time to do it on a regular basis.....she's actually a pretty good shot and good athelete all together.She knows how to fight,and could probably give some dirtbag a run for his money(especially if protecting our daughter).....but I believe all women need a cell phone and a handgun(not in that order)......maybe someday she'll start to take it seriously,hopefully.....especially because she just started a job doing decorating and will be away from me and our house most days.......I'd feel more comfortable if she was armed and knew how to use it.
I feel when I'm around it's my job to protect my family(no flame to the ladies),but she would be GREAT back up...and I work alot,and our house is in the woods(very low crime area) and isolated..........she knows how to get at the handguns and use them,but is not nearly as proficient as I'd like her to be......

 

[pax]

BigG,

Sure. But keep in mind, if the goal is to get someone to be responsible, it's probably not a great idea to start by announcing smugly that they are too uninformed to make responsible choices and too lazy and uninterested to learn what they need to know.

pax

The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness, can be trained to do most things. -- Jilly Cooper

 

[BigG]

You gotta good point, Pax!

 

[sm]

Lot to be said for

Attraction not Promotion

Respect

Not a gender deal either. Since we are speaking of ladies though, after some shooting on the range , confidence went up, interest went up,and WANTING to try for themselves what other ladies were commenting on...well I / we just supervised, RO and SO'd.

Especially holsters; many a time I've had to turn around while ladies tried on belly bands, swapped belts and holsters, had to loosen jeans, blouses...whatever. Like ladies going shopping, trying on stuff and getting a ladies opinion. Some training guns, but the ladies were REAL good about the 4 rules and triple checking each other when using a gun in a holster. Even with live ammo not uncommon for one to be "hands on" or one asked for "hands on" so could learn proper draw and presentation.

Respect;
on those occaisons where safety paramount, or my assistance needed, there was no problems if I had to be "hands on". We were adults, serious safe concerns were the focus. No alternate motive on my part or theirs.
Maybe somethng as simple as using a marking pen to see where a holster needed to be altered to fit the hips better. Maybe giving a hug...so the lady could see if her mehtod of concealment would work if she was hugged in the real world.

Gender, I dunno, I hate the stereotyping , especially when it pertains to something serious as CCW or any form of personal protection. What guys forget is woman have an instinct, guys don't have. Does not matter if they are moms or not. That Dang Maternal instinct to protect their young is a strong powerful thing.

 

[hillbilly]

My wife carries a ball peen hammer in her car, and at home prefers to have either a 12 gauge pump or a .357 magnum handy, especially when she's alone.

But carrying something in the car which looks like a tool, but which could easily serve as a weapon is on "p.c." way of doing it.

As of yet, she does not have a CCW permit, but keeps edging towards it.

When she finally does go CCW, she is leaning towards either a two-inch barreled .357 mag, or a Taurus Tracker in .45 ACP.

She shoots all sorts of semi-autos for fun, but often has trouble racking the slide, and reaching the controls easily.

In her opinion, in a life-and-death situation, she'd rather have fewer moving parts to deal with, and compact, simple package with no safeties to flick off.....just point and pull.

Her best friend is a school teacher, who cannot CCW to work, either.

Friend also carries a hammer and an 18-inch long section of acrylic plastic rod in the car....basically a rock-hard plastic billyclub that doesn't look like a billyclub. She could easily swing either the hammer or the club, or both at the same time, with sufficient force to cause major damage.

The friend has also carried a small fixed-blade knife before.

hillbilly

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Well I do take self-defense classes, Wing Chun, and soon Jeet Kune Do. It's a great thing but I'm not Bruce Lee nor do I pretend to be. Pepper spray is wonderful if the wind doesn't shift. Stun guns are good if they're legal, and aren't used against you. Guns are nice if you know how to use them and know when to pull the trigger. I own a knife too but it's not a legal length so I really can't use it -- even so, it too can be used against me...etc. etc...

I think the message here is women have to learn to be a fighting mode -- it's a lot of things including common sense. All women should make an effort to be more guarded and learn how to protect themselves. It's odd when you think every female creature on the planet knows how to fight: bears, sharks, birds, tigers, dogs, etc. Every female except among humans ....and that needs to change.

 

[ARperson]

In all fairness, some of you need to look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls before unloading on GySgt.

Yeah, sure. Mebbe. But a lot has to be said for the intent and meaning of the post. And that wasn't exactly a positive thing. While a more careful, closer reading will show that he said nothing more than most women lack exposure (and therefore enough information) to make an educated guess, it sure could have been taken in other ways.

Whatever he said, he still gave the impression that women should have the choices made for them and we all know that's a bunch of bull????.

When they don't know (and I'll agree most of the don't) we provide the information for them and let them make their own decisions.

What may have been meant to show real life situation came across as male chauvinism and a slight superiority complex.

 

[Jammer Six]

In all fairness, some of you need to look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls before unloading on GySgt.

In all fairness, you might want to do some research on him.

He's trolling. Nothing more, nothing less. Certainly nothing worthy of a response.

He's responded in a similar manner in other threads on this issue, and then claimed he was joking when he was called on it.

 

[BigG]

Look, as we have all seen many times this is THE HIGH ROAD, if we are looking to take offense are we travelling on the high road? I say, 'no.' A look at his statements imply to me that he is pointing out their lack of interest in the subject matter not lack of intelligence. We don't see his facial expression or tone of voice but I could see he was not intending any harm by his good natured jest towards Pax.

If a woman takes interest in firearms or ASKS ME my opinion I will offer it. If I try to broach the subject and she evidences no interest whatsoever I drop it. I earnestly requested my mother to accept firearms training and the weapon of her choice at my expense and was looked at as if I'd passed gas at a formal dinner.

We are the choir, ladies and gentlemen, and the vast part of society both men and women do not share our common interests in the least. I wish it were otherwise. Sorry to be a wet blanket!