Dear Cosmopolitan, Sincerely A Good Woman With A Gun

Dear Cosmopolitan,

If there’s one thing we can agree upon, it’s that domestic violence is an important issue and no woman should ever have to fear for her safety, especially in an intimate relationship.

But your attempt to use domestic violence to attack responsible gun owners and depict male gun owners as egotistical misogynists, is not only offensive to men with guns, but an indirect approach to insult me.

Let’s not get the two things confused: domestic violence and the law-abiding responsible gun owner. They are not one in the same. One does not equal the other.

My grandfather, my father, my male colleagues and friends – all those men I know who own guns – have never once condescendingly explained to me why I would be safer if I had a gun.

I made that choice on my own.

Because, I am a woman who believes in the right to protect myself. Because, I value my life, the lives of my friends and family, and the lives of my future children. Because, I am my only line of defense.

The problem isn’t with a gun. It’s the person who chooses to be violent, to be abusive, and sadly, to make someone their victim.

As a woman, I have every right to defend myself. And I don’t need a man to tell me that.

Women gun owners are on the rise. There were 5.4 million women target shooters in 2013, a 60% increase from 2001. Among women gun owners, the number one reason to purchase a firearm is self or home defense, and 80% of female gun owners admitted that having a gun makes them feel safer.

When you purchase a firearm you are assuming the responsibility of being a safe and responsible gun owner. This means ensuring your safety and the safety of others through proper firearm training.

Of women gun owners, 73% have taken at least one firearms training class. There are many courses across the country that have even been designed specifically for women, by women.

I have taken NRA training courses and I go to the range often. Why? Because, I believe in doing everything in my power to arm myself with the tools and training I need to defend myself.

So, Cosmo, the next time I have a conversation with a man about guns, perhaps I should actually start with, “So, can we talk about my guns?”

Sincerely,
A Good Woman With A Gun