World Examiner

Firearms Training for Victims of Domestic Violence

My financial and legal work sometimes involves planned giving, and I had an interesting meeting a couple days ago at the corporate office of an organization that helps victims of domestic violence.  Exploring ways we could work together, I mentioned I might eventually be able to provide the victims with the required course for the Utah Concealed Firearm Permit.  (The suggestion came out of my experience as instructor for both NRA’s Refuse to be a Victim course and Front Sight’s now-defunct ACPS program.)

The response was very interesting.  The male Director, who said he’d never been around guns, was not too keen on the idea, but politely asked the opinion of the other meeting participant, a female victim of domestic violence.  To his surprise, the female victim enthusiastically nodded her agreement that, in appropriate circumstances, such training could be a real helpful confidence booster and recovery vehicle for such women.

Research: Armed Woman Reduces Murder Rate for Women Three to Four Times as much as Armed Man Reduces Murder Rate for Men

Link: John R. Lott Jr. on Women & Guns on National Review Online.

In my own research, I examine county crime rates for the entire U.S. from 1977 to 1998. Murder rates decline when either sex carries a concealed handgun, but the effect is particularly pronounced for women. An additional woman carrying a concealed handgun reduces the murder rate for women by three to four times more than an additional armed man reduces the murder rate for men.

Calif. Woman Slain While Calling 911

Link: Calif. Woman Slain While Calling 911.

WEST COVINA, Calif. (AP) - A woman made a 911 call from her suburban mansion to report an attempted break-in, but her pleas were interrupted by gunshots, then silence: She had been shot to death. The woman told the dispatcher late Wednesday morning that someone was trying to break into her home in upscale West Covina, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Dan Rosenberg said. "Deputies heard gunshots followed by silence and an open phone line," he said.

‘Stop or I’ll toot’: Reno Students Given Rape Whistles

Link: RN&R > Columns > Know You’re Right > ‘Stop or I’ll toot’ is not > 02.28.08.

In light of the recent attacks of young women near and on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, the school has taken to passing out rape whistles as a method of protection. What is a girl supposed to do with this? Throw it at her attacker?

Permit Holder Stops Rape

Link: Man shot, killed after allegedly trying to rape sisters : State and Regional News : Knoxville News Sentinel.

BRIGHTON, Tenn. - Police say a man attempting to rape a girl and a woman was shot and killed after one escaped and alerted her nearby cousin.

Video Incorporates 911 Call of Woman Defending Against Intruder with Gun

Here is a video incorporating yet another 911 call of a woman using a gun to defend against a home intruder:

911 Call Records Woman Shooting Intruder

Link: KSDK NewsChannel 5 - Woman Shoots Intruder, And It's Recorded On 911 Call.

DISPATCHER: "OK, Can you get to a room with a lock on it?" CALLER: "Yes I can." DISPATCHER: "OK, I'm going to tell you when it's okay to come out, okay?" The woman takes refuge in an upstairs bedroom, then eventually in a closet. CALLER: "He broke through the window again...." DISPATCHER: "OK, is he in the house?" CALLER: "Yes, I think he is." Two minutes into the call she tells them she is armed. DISPATCHER: "Does he normally carry weapons at all?" CALLER: "I got one today." DISPATCHER: "You got one what?" CALLER: "I got a weapon today." DISPATCHER: "OK, A gun? You have it... Is it in the room with you?" The dispatcher informs the arriving officers that the woman is armed; then, about five minutes after the call began, this final exchange: CALLER: "He's at the door now." DISPATCHER: "He's turning the door knob.. okay.. Is that him I hear?" CALLER: "Yeah." DISPATCHER: "Is there anything you can put.." CALLER: "What are you doing??? "STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!".. DISPATCHER: "Okay.. he's in with her!" CALLER CONTINUES: "STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT! Stop it.. (begging) Please stop it..." The woman then shot the man.

The Canadian Press: Edmonton woman violently raped played dead to stay alive: court

Don't fight back?

Link: The Canadian Press: Edmonton woman violently raped played dead to stay alive: court.

Lying bloodied and nearly naked on the floor of her downtown condo, the 29-year-old woman had one option left. She'd just been raped in her bedroom, hacked and slashed in the face, head, hands and neck with a butcher blade until her mattress and pillows were slick with blood and the white bones of her pinky finger were exposed, in her words, like a split "chicken wing." A violently angry, mixed-up teen loomed over her and was going to kill her, because he had a $10,000 bet that he would, she told Court of Queen's Bench on Friday.

John Lott's Website: More People think that Women's Suffrage Helps Explain the Growth of Government

More proof of what we all intuitively know: women's suffrage has increased women's suffering.

Link: John Lott's Website: More People think that Women's Suffrage Helps Explain the Growth of Government.

At least one other person beside Ann Coulter thinks that my research that the growth in government is attributable to women's suffrage is plausible. Ann Coulter was very nice bringing up the issue many times this past year.

Video captures home invasion attempt (WFAA)

Link: Video On Demand | WFAA.com.

An attempted break-in early Sunday morning led to a terrifying and unexpected wake up call for a woman in Glenn Heights. While four men failed to break into Carrie Shannon's home on Brentwood Street, their attempt was captured on surveillance video.

Search planned for missing Rancho Santa Margarita woman

This weekend's search, which will canvas an area known to be a favorite spot of Burgess', is being coordinated by Trinity Search & Recovery. Volunteer searchers can register online at www.trinitysearch.org.

Link: News: Search for Donna Jou | burgess, jou, register, jacksonville, dvds - OCRegister.com.

The family of a local college student who disappeared in June after partying with a convicted sex offender she met online will search the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu this weekend in the hopes of finding clues about what may have happened to the missing 19-year-old woman. The family is also looking for volunteers to help in the search.

Bold Daytime Armed Robbery in Laguna Niguel WalMart Parking Lot

Just got my daughter her first BB gun here:

Link: News: Robbery suspects arrested after 5-hour barricade | home, authorities, woman, amormino, year - OCRegister.com.

Authorities believe the two suspects are responsible for a bold robbery that took place in the busy parking lot of a Wal-Mart at 27470 Alicia Parkway. A 41-year-old woman was standing next to her car when she was assaulted at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, .... allegedly jumped out of a truck being driven by his wife and threw the 41-year-old to the ground. .... allegedly hit the woman and pepper-sprayed her before grabbing her purse and taking off in the truck.

Cop Rx for Russian Immigrant Lady: Buy a Gun

A reminder that most cops on the beat are fellow NRA members or at least kindred spirits:

Link: Oakland police officer told Nina Reiser to get a gun.

When Hans and Nina Reiser met at the Oakland Police Department to exchange their children, their interactions were so hostile that one officer recommended she get a gun to protect herself, according to courtroom testimony Thursday.

Concealed carry could prevent rape

26 year-old female honors grad and CCW holder can defend herself.  How could anyone dare deny her this right?  Link: toledoblade.com -- Concealed carry could prevent rape.

The editorial implied that 48 college student deaths was small and that Virginia Tech was an anomaly. However, as a woman, I felt the editorial glossed over rape, a life-changing trauma. This alone makes me support concealed carry. To expect me, a petite, 125-pound female to resist a 200-pound male is ludicrous discrimination and gross denial of my right to self-defense. I am very empowered to know I won't be a victim.

Five Citizens Stop Alleged Rape

No gun involved, so it's good there were five to help.

Link: ABC News: Samaritans Foil Alleged Rape in Progress.

Five good Samaritans disrupted the alleged rape of a 22-year-old Oregon woman, chasing down and tackling the suspect until authorities arrived, police said.

Woman Forced to Have Sex With Son in Gang Rape

Another reason it's better to fight back.

Star Spangled Banner Done Right

Surefire Feminine Protection

(Via: Conservative UAW Guy)

SoCal: Carjackers Leave Couple Naked on Freeway, Female Sexually Assaulted

Ask an anti-gun male, in front of his girlfriend, what he would do in this situation:

Link: cbs2.com - 2 Nabbed, 2 More Sought In Brutal Carjacking.

Cam Edwards on Women & Guns

My wife had Kalashnikov training at high school in Ukraine (mp3 of her with Roger Hedgecock here); this month's issue of America's 1st Freedom covers history's greatest sniper, a female Ukrainian soldier in WWII; experienced instructors will tell you that women have some physical and emotional advantages that often make them better shooters.

Cam Edwards' latest Townhall column on recent female armed citizen stories should remind us how important it is to bring women into the fold, for their own safety, for our children's safety, and because the hand that rocks the cradle rules the country.

Link: Townhall.com::Self-defense::By Cam Edwards#commentAnchor#commentAnchor. Excerpt:

Three stories of self-defense with three happy endings. What would have happened if these women didn’t have a gun to help them defend themselves? Would we be reading about three murders, three robberies, or three rapes? Would there be Amber Alerts for two missing children from Coalfield, Tennessee? Because these women took steps to protect themselves we get to applaud their courage, rather than mourning their deaths.

The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the nation: American Heritage Girls

I'm an Eagle Scout alum and was going to steer my daughter into Girl Scouts but the more I find out about Girl Scouts, the less I like.  It ain't the BSA, that's for sure.

Here is an alternative I just discovered.  No troop in Orange County yet but maybe one can be started.  Of course, the infrastructure won't match GSA but maybe that's a good thing and it does look like the group is growing.

Link: Why start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community?.

AHG Oath: I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country and serve in my community.

AHG Creed: As an American Heritage Girl, I promise to be: Compassionate – Understanding others in fellowship, empathy, kindness, and caring. Respect others’ opinions and emotions. Helpful – Willingly serve others. Honest – Always tell the truth and keep my promise. Loyal – True to God, family, friends, community and country. Perseverant – Continue to strive toward a goal despite obstacles. Pure – Keep my mind and body pure. Resourceful – Wisely use my time, materials and talents. Respectful – Honor my country, be obedient to those in authority and courteous to all. Responsible – Accountable for my own actions. Reliable in all situations. Reverent – Faithful and honoring to God. Respectful of the beliefs of others.

And from Wikipedia on American Heritage Girls:

The American Heritage Girls program is divided into several levels based primarily on age. Certain requirements must be met to proceed to the next level, usually requiring a certain amount of service and badges. The order of levels goes Pathfinder (kindergarten/5 years old), Tenderfoot (1-3rd grade/6 years old), Explorer (4-6th grade/9 years old), Pioneer (7-8th grade/12 years old), and Patriot (9-12th grade/14 years old).

Idea for St. Valentine's Day

If you are in or near Orange County and making plans for St. Valentine's Day, consider sending the gift of a barbershop quartet performance.  Four guys show up (not Hillary) and provide long stemmed rose, two songs, and a polaroid.  They do a great job, it's a great deal, and the proceeds go to charity.  Link: Fullerton Orange Empire Chorus. 

WorldNetDaily: Mom, meet your (unborn) child!

WND reports on a new technique for winning the battle against abortion - letting mothers see their children with ultrasound.  (This technique is in use locally by Birth Choice Health Clinics in Orange County, which I also link to in the sidebar at top left.)

Link: WorldNetDaily: Mom, meet your (unborn) child!.

"We tend to turn around about two-thirds of abortion-minded women," he said. "The vast majority are planning on an abortion when they come in."

For an example of why your self-defense rights are in such peril, consider the following exchange:

The exchange was between Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.,

During debate over federal restrictions on the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure, Santorum asked Boxer: "[Do] you agree, once the child is born, [and] separated from the mother, that the child is protected by the Constitution and cannot be killed[?] Do you agree with that?"

"I think that when you bring your baby home, when your baby is born … the baby belongs to your family and has rights," she said.

The Focus analysis by Larimore noted: "Think for a moment about that disturbing statement that is now immortalized in the Congressional Record. Though she did not say so, the position taken by Sen. Boxer would clearly support the murder of an infant until, and if, the mother and father decide that they want to keep it. As long as the baby is still in the hospital, however, he or she has no rights whatsoever – not even the right not to be killed."

Dr. Helen: Is Psychological Impotence in the Face of Violent Crime Really the Answer?

Dr. Helen responds to local media advocating non-resistance.  (Via Wayne LaPierre.)

Link: Dr. Helen: Is Psychological Impotence in the Face of Violent Crime Really the Answer?.

There is no easy answer to what to do when confronted with a violent crime--certainly, it seems best to avoid a crime if possible by being aware of one's surroundings etc. But once violence is in front of you, passivity is not always the answer. Remember, the criminal has a script in his mind too--that is, that you will not fight back. The element of surprise can work just as effectively for law abiding citizens who are willing to do whatever it takes to save their own lives or that of a loved one.

Women & The Changing Face of Shooting Sports

Link: The Smallest Minority.  Excerpt:

Women are an increasing percentage of gun owners, recreational shooters, and self-defense advocates. This is a good thing, because otherwise the gun-owning demographic would be edging toward ever more elderly white males.

All this is good, of course, and I agree with Kevin fully.  My wife trains with me at Front Sight.  But hear what she had to say almost a decade ago on Roger Hedgecock's show about Socialism, Women in the Military, and the Kalashnikov training she had in high school - see sidebar for audio link, near top left.

"Golden Boob Award" Trivializes Breast Cancer, Distracts Women from the Truth

Link: Coaliton on Abortion/Breast Cancer - National Breast Cancer Coalition's "Golden Boob Award" Trivializes Breast Cancer, Distracts Women from the Truth.  Excerpt:

The National Breast Cancer Coalition has announced that the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer is the recipient of its "Golden Boob Award." We are shocked by the name of this award because it trivializes a devastating disease.

This publicity stunt distracts people from the truth about scientific evidence that emerged decades ago and linked breast cancer with abortion and the use of steroidal hormones (oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy). It also distracts people from the truth that the abortion and the cancer fundraising industries have interlocking directorates.

Clip of My Wife on Hedgecock Show

I've added a link on the sidebar (top left) to an audio clip of a 9/10/97 interview by Roger Hedgecock of my wife, Helen Duringer, when his show was on location at McP's in Coronado.  Helen learned to parachute and to assemble, fire, disassemble and clean the AK-47 when she attended high school in Ukraine.  The interview took place in 1997, only a couple years after she came to this country.  She did quite well making her point, that the feminist push for women in the military manifests itself primarily in socialist countries.  (Capitalism, on the other hand, requires strong families.)  Not that women shouldn't shoot--that's a separate issue.  Since then she's taken a number of classes with me at Front Sight, where I'm a Bronze member.

Huge Increase in Number of Women Who Target Shoot

Link: Great Falls Tribune - www.greatfallstribune.com - Great Falls, MT.

"According to research from the National Sporting Goods Association, 72 percent more women are hunting with firearms today than just five years ago. And 50 percent more women are now target shooting."

Remember New Orleans!!!!!!! (Bush signs bill banning repeat of New Orleans confiscation)

World Examiner has some catching up to do - a lot happened this week.  As Cam Edwards reported, both on NRAnews and on his blog, President Bush signed the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection bill into law.  This is supposed to prevent a repeat of New Orleans-type gun confiscation, although I wonder what exceptions might be in the bill, and what this piece of paper will mean if teachers and parents fail to  pass on to future generations the great American tradition of firearms ownership and carry.

For shocking video of mass gun confiscation on US soil, see GOA's page on Gun Confiscation in New Orleans.

Women Take Up Arms to Defend Against UN Peacekeeper Rape

Women in Liberia are joining armed militias to defend themselves AGAINST RAPE BY UN PEACEKEEPERS: "Gun Control: Does the UN Protect Women’s Rights?" by Howard Nemerov

Good Law Exam Question

Dave Kopel's brilliant law exam question spoofing recent UN report proclaiming self-defense is not a human right: The Volokh Conspiracy