More Women Buying Guns

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Registered: 07-25-2003
More Women Buying Guns
Thu, 02-26-2004 - 10:27pm
Anyone here own a gun or have a concealed handgun lisense?


More Women Buying

http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0204/128945.html

76 million people own a gun in this country. And now more than ever, the number of women who are buying and learning to fire guns is increasing.

In this Crimestoppers report, Kate Sullivan looks at the trend here in Arkansas.

There are approximately 38,000 licensed gun owners in this state and each year, the number of women who choose to pack a pistol is increasing. The question is why? Women not only own guns but are trained to use a deadly weapon.

"We've got ladies that throw newspapers to lawyers in the courthouse."

Women of all kinds are training to shoot a gun. Not for sport but for safety.

"I want to be able to protect myself and it's one thing to own a gun and use it proficiently."

Don Hill of Don's Weaponry says he has seen the number of females buying guns increase 100% in 5 years.

"Most women say I don't want to buy a gun--I might hurt someone--well bull! What do you think they are trying to do to you?"

Hill is an obvious gun advocate, but what police are concerned about it are the women who just own a gun but don't know how to use it.

"Anybody can pick up the gun but someone has the knowledge is a lot of better and pulling the trigger."

For Lorita Page, a chance encounter prompted her to learn more.

"At 5:30 in the morning on a Tuesday morning, the alarm system went off apparently was coming in the back door."

Page was alone with her 77 year-old mother.

"It got me to thinking, what am I suppose to do while I'm waiting for police to come?"

Page took an old gun that used to belong to her father and headed to the shooting range at Don's Weaponry in North Little Rock.

If you don't have knowledge, it can be taken away from you at any point."

But for Page who is licensed to carry a gun - the training paid off.

"I have no fear it would be used against me."

But not all the women are as confident.

"You can say you would use it but then I wonder if I would actually be able to use it."

According to police, a gun should never give you a false sense of security.

"You have to remain alert whether you have a gun or not. Women especially have to be aware of their surroundings and their personal safety."

And Little Rock police say training is key. If you are interested in buying a gun or want to apply for a carry and conceal permit, you must learn how to use the gun properly. If not, it could do more harm than good.


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