Against owning a gun...

[Bill of Rights]

When I first read your OP, Rachel, I got about half a sentence in and thought "Gunfacts.info", only to see Melensdad posted it.

I read Jennybird's posts to you and was nodding. In fact, I didn't see a bad post on here to this point (18 posts at this writing, not counting mine)

I can "hear" the frustration in your post as you type it, mostly because my own mother's question when I mentioned carrying one day on the phone to her was, "Why do you need a gun?", asked in a very disapproving tone. This question was often repeated. It is no longer, though her opinion has not changed.

What it comes down to is the following exchange, modified as you see fit based on her lead-in comment:

Mom: "I don't feel you should have a gun. They're just too dangerous."

You: "I'm sorry you feel that way, Mom."

Note that you've identified she feels that way and you do not. As you said, you're a big girl. You can dress yourself and if in the process of doing so, you clip an IWB holster onto your belt and slide a sidearm into it, that's not her decision, it is yours.

Parents sometimes have a tough time letting go of their mental pictures of us...especially of their youngest kids, I think.

I applaud you for doing your research and taking the time to formulate a good, valid decision.

Blessings,
Bill

[HandK49031]

The NRA puts out a good magazine every month called women on target I think it has alot of great information in it if you join the NRA you get this free every month, If you want to join go to the Shooting USA web sight and it is only $25.00 dollers for a year, you get a $1000.00 gun ins your membership card also gets you a discount on perscriptions at wal-mart, just a few of the bennies.

[RogerB]

Rachel,

Pardon me for not readin through all the posts, I'm trying to save some time here. If its been posted I apologise.

If you haven't heard of or read this, please do.

A DAUGHTER'S REGRET (SUZANNA HUPP)

[Biohazard]

John R. Lott, Jr. wrote a book debunking a lot of gun myths. He draws on data from CDC, FBI, local law enforcement, etc. A bit dry but it is filled with hard data.
Amazon.com: More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding...

He has another book called The Bias Against Guns. (Half Price Books may be a good source for these two.)
Amazon.com: The Bias Against Guns: Why Almost...

The NRA has a monthly column called The Armed Citizen that gathers news clips from across the nation on normal citizens that have used guns in self defense.
NRA-ILA ::

It also has a search function that may be useful.

Good luck.

[Jeremiah]

http://www.gunfacts.info/pdfs/gun-fa...5-0-screen.pdf

Table 20 - Crime in the United States 2007

Table 15 - Crime in the United States 2007

hope these help.

but if all else fail when she asks why you want a gun, ( after all you are a girl) tell here because there are people out in the world bigger and badder than you are that will occasionally wish you harm. you would rather be prepared and not at the whims of other.

because you can't keep a cop with you all the time.

and becasue you are a sheepdog and not a wolf or a sheep

http://www.gleamingedge.com/mirrors/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html

[syntax357]

When anyone asks me why I have a gun I always tell "Just In Case" You never know whats going to happen in this day and age. I keep begging my wife to get herself a gun but I kep getting the "I dont need one yet" speech

[IndyRoadie]

These facts alone should convince any rational person:

Fact: When a woman was armed with a gun or knife, only 3% of rape attacks are completed, compared to 32% when unarmed

Fact: In 1966, the city of Orlando responded to a wave of sexual assaults by offering firearms training classes to women. Rapes dropped by nearly 90% the following year.

Fact: You are far more likely to survive a violent assault if you defend yourself with a gun. In episodes where a robbery victim was injured, the injury/defense rates were:
Resisting with a gun 6%
Did nothing at all 25%
Resisted with a knife 40%
Non-violent resistance 45%

[IndyRoadie]

Originally Posted by RogerB

Rachel,

Pardon me for not readin through all the posts, I'm trying to save some time here. If its been posted I apologise.

If you haven't heard of or read this, please do.

A DAUGHTER'S REGRET (SUZANNA HUPP)

Oh wow. Thanks for sharing that. This quote really hits it out of the park for me:

"We have created a shopping list for madmen," she said. "If guns are the problem, why don't we see things occurring at skeet and trap shoots, at gun shows, at NRA conventions? We only see it where guns aren't allowed. The sign of a gun with a slash through it is like a neon sign for gunmen, 'We're unarmed. Come kill us.' "

[Rey B]

Some interesting reading Cornered Cat

[esrice]

Rachel, keep in mind that your mother and sister are simply projecting their own fears onto your situation. When they ask things like "Why would you want to carry a gun?", what they are really saying is "I am scared of guns and would never carry one". Their reasons for not liking guns are fear- and emotion-based-- not logical. Tossing facts and figures might help a bit, but a total turnaround probably won't happen until they conquer their fear. And keep in mind that their fear might not necessarily be fear of guns, but perhaps fear of self-reliance or fear of conflict. Your choosing to carry a gun might be bringing up some ugly truths they don't want to face-- truths like "we're vulnerable" or "there are predators out there". Many people take the "ignorance is bliss" attitude and are content to stick their heads in the sand.

For a quick read, that hits on facts AND emotions, I recommend 40 Reasons for Gun Control

Good luck!