Jan. 4, 2001
 
  9mm beats 911 for defense

Rape defense. What do you picture when you read those two words?

Chances are many of my readers would visualize a slick defense attorney attacking the victim's credibility, punching holes in the prosecutor's case or finding loopholes so his client can get off on a technicality. Chances are few readers would visualize a gun.

A rapist is attacking women in Shadyside. The fear hit home last week.

Mom's house has new outside light bulbs replacing the burned-out ones. The motion detector light switch has been turned back on. And when my daughter and sister visited the neighbors two houses down New Year's Eve, they were escorted home. Happy New Year, gals.

Two things mystify me. (Three actually, if you include how to balance a checkbook.) First, why do liberals, especially feminists, seem only to support relatively passive self-defense measures for women?

Do you empower a woman by escorting her to her car at night? Is that how you'll take back the night? Will pepper spray really stop many rapists? And will blowing a big police whistle stop - or even slow down - anyone wanting to harm you?

If attacked, would you rather blow a whistle or blow away the rapist? A gun is the best rape defense.

The second great mystery: Why don't conservatives defend the Second Amendment by teaching potential rape victims to defend themselves with guns? When it comes to rape, groups such as the National Rifle Association, the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League and others should be leading the way introducing women to the Great Equalizer.

Defenders of the Second Amendment are great counter-punchers. When radical leftists try to disarm mainstream America, count on many pro-gun groups to fight back. However, the one problem with being a counter-puncher - no matter how good you are - is that you're usually reacting to punches. It's time Second Amendment lovers act instead of waiting to react.

There's a great way to protect women and perhaps gain new supporters of freedom. Hold a news conference announcing the offering of free lessons on gun usage to women. And perhaps ladies' night specials at firearms stores. Those lessons just may save someone's life.

Which do you think has the better response time - 911 or a 9 mm?

Just that announcement may cause an attacker to think twice about harming a woman. Or a gay man.

Have you heard about the Pink Pistols?

It's a new Boston organization aimed at gun enthusiasts who live an alternative lifestyle. The group's motto: "Pick on someone your own caliber." A Pittsburgh chapter has formed recently: http://www.pinkpistols.org

If a gay victim like Matthew Shephard in Wyoming or alleged gay victim J.R. Warren in West Virginia had been armed, would they be alive today? If more gay and lesbian people were armed, would anyone risk picking on them?

Attackers are like any other predator; they target the weakest prey in the herd. It minimizes the energy needed to take it and also the risk of being hurt.

In the wild, a herd of prey animals is at the mercy of predators.

You, however, should be at the mercy of no one.

Dimitri Vassilaros is the morning radio talk host on News Radio 1170 WWVA. His e-mail address is dimitriv@stargate.net.