July 1994	Women & Guns 

Dear Self-Reliant Reader,

	Women & Guns. Guns and women.

	I am continually hearing that both of the above are not
acceptable.

	A recent law enforcement publication contained an article
concerning the appearance of female police officers.  The author
seemed to espouse the My Fair Lady reprise, "Why Can't a Woman Be More
Like a Man?"

	In a "Miss Manners" column, Judith Martin, its author, bemoans
that "the day is probably not far off when people will have to install
metal detectors on their front porches."

	In a catalog of books and other printed paraphernalia
pertaining to firearms and soldiering, there are only a few items
pertaining to women.  One of them is a photograph of a young,
attractive, scantily clad young lady with a M-16A2 clasped to her
breast.

	The individuals who sport buttons that read "I'm pro-choice
and I vote" are, more often than not, not on the side of the "sister"
who chooses not to be a victim.

	One can not have the competence, capability and desire to
carry a firearm or other item of defense and be a "woman's woman."

	I wish that our critics would take the time to read, analyze
and synthesize "Violence against Women" from the National Crime
Victimization Survey of the Bureau of Justice Statistics under the
U.S. Department of Justice.

	According to this study, two and one half million women were
victims of violent crime in 1991.

	 All things equal, today the following would be statistically
correct.

	Although the violent crime rate for males has decreased since
1973; the rate for females has not.

	The theft victimization rates for both males and females
declined during the 1973-1991 period. The rate for males fell more
quickly than for females.

	Women are particularly vulnerable to certain types of
predators. Men are more likely to be victimized by acquaintances or
strangers.

	Over two-thirds of violent victimizations against women are
committed by someone known to them: only 31% of the offenders are
strangers. Approximately 33% are victimized by boyfriends, husbands or
relatives.  Only five percent of the men are victims of intimates or
relatives.

	Young, single, black or Hispanic women in central cities with
lower end education and family income levels are most likely to be
victimized.

	Women are more likely to be injured if the perpetrator was an
intimate (59%) as opposed to a stranger (27%). Additionally an injured
woman is more likely to require medical care if the attacker is an
intimate (27%) rather than a stranger (14%).

	Almost six times as many women do not report a crime if the
predator is an intimate (18%) as those victimized by strangers (3%)
because of fear of reprisal by the offender.

	Rape is more likely to be committed against a woman by someone
known to them (55%) than by a stranger (44%).

	Most perpetrators of violent crime against women are men (75%)
over 21 years of age (70%).

	In cases of rape and aggravated assault, alcohol is
significantly more likely to be used by the predator than when the
crime is robbery or simple assault. In cases of robbery drug use is
more apparent.

	Women who are preyed upon by strangers are more likely to face
an armed assailant (33%) than those victimized by intimates (18%),
relatives (22%) or acquaintances (21%).

	In the 27% of the cases where a weapon is present, there is a
30% chance it will be a gun, 34% chance it will be a knife or
sharpened instrument, 18% chance of a blunt weapon and 18% chance of
others.

	One of the most interesting aspects of this study is the
report on the self-defense behaviors exhibited by the victims and the
outcomes based upon that reaction. Women have been told not to resist
because it increased their chances of physical harm.  This study shows
the opposite.

	In all cases, 24% of women take no action, 30% use physical
measures against their attacker and 45% use verbal or passive
resistance.

	Sixty-one percent of the women feel that their self-defense
actions helped the outcome of the situation, 23% said it does not and
16% are not sure.

	In victimizations of women where the perpetrator is a stranger
or acquaintance, women are more likely to use verbal or passive
resistance and in over two-thirds of the cases feel that it helps the
situation.

	In cases where the offender is an intimate or relative, women
are more likely to resist and when they do, to choose physical action.
They are also less positive about the results of their actions.
Fifty-three percent feel their actions helped them, 30% feel they do
not.

	There is a saying that perception is reality.

	Perhaps if women would perceive the need to defend themselves
and their families, the reality would be less family trauma rather
than more.

P.S. A copy of the study can be obtained by calling 1-800-723-3277. Or
you can call the BJS section of the NSJRS electronic bulletin board at
1-301-738-8895 for the latest data releases.

P.P.S. Miss Splendiferous, Miss Spectacular and Mr. Stupendous,
millions and millions to you all. Congratulations Amy on a job
superbly done. AMG, fifteen pass far too quickly.