Sara Tipton - why I do what I do

I’m not a firearms expert, nor do I play one on TV. But I love guns, I’ve got something of a rep these days and I love to help people who can benefit from my experience (such as it is). For example, I recently helped a Facebook commentator pick out a holster for his wife’s carry gun. Thinking about it later, it would have been a lot better if I’d been Facebooking directly with the wife. It’s like that fish story: give a woman a gun and she’ll have a tool for self-defense. Help her choose a gun and show her how to use it and . . .

she’ll be better able to save her life, the lives of her family and other innocents. That’s what I call female empowerment.

But it’s not what a lot of feminists believe. They think that disarming men – rather than arming women – is the key to women’s safety so they want to pass laws that make it harder for everyone to buy a gun. In Why Gun Control is a Feminist Issue at mic.com, Sarah Dunn justifies that position:

Domestic violence is all too common in the United States. According to the Domestic Violence Research Center, 25% of women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. Of course, the fact that every one in four women have encountered domestic violence only accounts for the women who have reported these incidents, and actual rates may even be higher. When a gun is involved or even nearby, domestic disputes often turn deadly. On average, more than three women a day are killed by husbands or boyfriends in the United States.

The feminists demanding society disarm “for women” at risk of domestic violence – or other forms of “male aggression” – are assuming women are helpless against their attackers. Which could be true. But doesn’t have to be. They could be armed with the greatest force equalizer ever invented. An abuser could use the woman’s gun against her, but no “solution” to domestic violence – or any other kind of violence against women – is going to be perfect.

Gun control supporting feminists are completely unrealistic about the chances of gun laws reducing violence against women. With 150 million guns in the U.S., the firearms genie isn’t going back in the bottle anytime soon. Making it even slightly harder for Americans – women to buy a gun, gun control advocates put women’s lives in greater danger. My friend Justin said it best in a sarcastic Facebook comment:

I wish we could go back in time and uninvent the gun. Because then, bigger stronger men who could swing swords and axes harder than their enemies would go back to ruling the world. No more of this bullshit female “empowerment” and all minorities would be enslaved just the way they were meant to be. Without having disgusting guns to fight back, the weak and disenfranchised would have never forgotten their place in life, a life they should be thankful they were even allowed to have to begin with.

Justin is a firearms instructor. He teaches women to safely and effectively use their guns for self-defense. We agree that women should choose to arm-up to level the playing field. Men can lead them to armed self-empowerment, but they can’t make the journey for them. So while I’m happy to help men with arming their women and appreciate their care and concern, guys, let the ladies do their own research. For their own good.

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42 COMMENTS

    • Sarah – I have that same Galco holster, and it’s a good AIWB holster. It’s not designed for owb 3 o’clock, though it can do in a pinch. Do yourself a favor and try an owb holster if that’s your preferred MOC.

      Take Care

  2. “I wish we could go back in time and uninvent the gun. Because then, bigger stronger men who could swing swords and axes harder than their enemies would go back to ruling the world. No more of this bullshit female “empowerment” and all minorities would be enslaved just the way they were meant to be. Without having disgusting guns to fight back, the weak and disenfranchised would have never forgotten their place in life, a life they should be thankful they were even allowed to have to begin with.”

    That paragraph should be copy and pasted into the comments section of every antigun article and blog in existence. The combination of logic and scornful mockery would get the point across soundly.

      • But, here is the low down. The leaders of these various splinters of ideology, like feminist, are not about the ideology they claim to lead, it is about loyalty to a political party. For example, Bill Clinton is a poster child of what feminist claim they are against, but as you remember, the feminist did everything they could to get him elected and cover up his little indiscretions.

      • Current feminism/regressive liberalism is the most intellectually confused gang of cultural marxists ever to emerge in a supposed democracy. The lack of self-awareness is astonishing. I no longer even want to call myself a liberal because of the idiotic rantings of these silly, silly people.

  3. Yep, I’ve said much the same thing as Justin, only years earlier.

    I love winding up feminists. It’s more fun than waving a laser pointer around in a pack of kittens, just not as adorably cute. Let’s face it: most feminists aren’t cute, much less adorable.

    But pointing out that without guns (any guns), we men of larger frame, more strength and a disposition to smack people around would rule the world is merely historical fact. I’d be packing a claymore and an axe everywhere I went.

    Last time some feminist got all over me about her wish to make “all guns disappear,” I agreed with her. She was astonished – a gunsmith, who wants to make all guns disappear? “What?!” was her response?

    “Sure. That way I could slap you silly until you got your overly generous buttocks into a kitchen and made me some sammiches – and I’d never worry about getting shot.”

    Again, there is no cuteness involved, but it was highly amusing.

    • I got involved with some sarcastic banter with a feminist on Facebook. She got particularly cranky, and wound up looking up my name and occupation. I have a unique last name and have been in the news and on TV. Then she posted an online law enforcement complaint form and threatened to file against me. In so doing, she very neatly proved my point that she was intolerant of my opposing viewpoint. But since she is a violently intolerant feminist, she felt she was “doing the right thing” and “really showed that guy.”

      I’ll still spool up feminists, as its in their fundamentally b!tchy nature to be offended by everything, but I’m much more cautious in doing so.

      • And THIS is why I do little “debate” on fakebook Acuur81. I too have a very rare name. Pretty EZ to exact revenge when you upset some special snowflake. A mite harder on TTAG(and some other forums). Yeah I know FB is so EZ and quick-and I would warn those who post the many threatening messages I see on the 2 dozen FB gun groups I belong too. Lots of loons out there. Been with the same beautiful woman for 28 years and (very) long ago quit trying to accessorize her. Guns included…

      • My “information” is already rather public. Some think they’re clever and try to scare me by letting me know they figured out that which I already, knowingly, put out there. I invite them over. They never come…

        Call them out, give them exactly what they want. Takes the wind right out of their sails. Kinda like the anti-gun asswipes that say they’re going to call the cops on me because gun. Go ahead, in fact, here, use my phone.

        Feminine rage is the weather vane of truth. They hate it when people see through them. Their deceptions laid bare, no fear of their threats…

      • +1. Its like trying to teach a pig to dance. Pigs cant dance, and all you do is end up covered in pig poo.

        Anyone noticing how fascist FakeBook is becoming?

    • Make sure you take all the knives and other pointy things out of the kitchen first.

      Of course, unless you can really sleep with one eye open, it’s a poor idea to actually be at war with your spouse, no matter how big and strong you are.

      • Anon in CT,

        Are saying it is exceedingly easy for a member of a household to use an edge weapon to kill another member of the home while that other member is sleeping? If that is the case, then having a firearm in the home is irrelevant in terms of risk of death at the hands of a domestic partner since that partner can use an edge weapon just as easily and effectively as a firearm.

        (Note: this is the third time today that I have posted on TTaG about the ease with which a domestic partner could kill their housemate while sleeping — revealing that having a firearm does not make it any easier to kill a housemate. In fact, when you figure the expense of a firearm versus a knife or ax, and the time involved in purchasing a firearm — filling out an ATF form 4473 and waiting for background check — versus simply buying a knife or ax at your local store “cash and carry”, it is actually easier overall to kill a housemate while asleep with an edge weapon.)

        • And do not forget about noise. A knife does not make much noise, and neither does a baseball bat. This gives the attacker much more time to flee and/or cover their tracks. You are right, the progressives never think these things out. This reminds me of a line from an episode of the Honeymooner’s. Jackie Gleason commented that someone was killed with a gun. His wife responded with an anti-gun slur. Jackie Gleason responded with the “would you prefer that they had thrown him out a window” line.

  4. AMEN!!! to “Silver’s” comments! The feminists (or otherwise) that wish to disarm the entire population NEED this scenario put before them. Something for them to THINK about. Would they really like to go back to “only the strong survive”? I think not.

  5. I’ve never understood how anyone who calls herself a feminist could be for gun control.

    Here’s another crazy example of lefty rationale: when discussing gun control on lefty sites, I’ve been told that any woman who is worried about sexual assault is too hysterical to be trusted to handle a gun. That’s some weapons-grade misogyny there.

    • And these are the very semioticians who despise any conservative’s use of “hysterical” because of its sexist roots. Call Alanis. Someone stole her song.

    • Hey, this is progress.

      I remember the 70’s and 80’s, when a reverend of a certain religious denomination argued that it was a woman’s “duty” to submit to rape if it meant that the rapist’s life would be saved because she didn’t own a gun.

      That was Rev. Allen Brockway, of the Methodists, and no, I’m not exaggerating.

      Oh, and BTW, the Methodists were the founding denomination for the National Coalition to Ban Handguns, which became Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

    • Typical regressive-liberal bigotry of low-expectations. They employ that same thinking wrt Islam, African Americans, etc. Completely retarded. Thank you for even trying to engage these people. I just barely have the patience anymore, and I used to think of myself as a liberal.

  6. Sara, I realize you are young and still winding your way through the lessons life has to offer, but any man married more that 10 years can tell you a simple truth. NEVER TRY TO ACCESSORIZE YOUR WOMAN. IT’S A FOOLS ERRAND AT BEST. Great blog though, and Justin’s comment is absolutely precious.

    • ” NEVER TRY TO ACCESSORIZE YOUR WOMAN. IT’S A FOOLS ERRAND AT BEST.”

      I disagree.

      Gift cards to accessorize are *always* welcome…

      (C’mon, women, tell me I’m wrong on that…)

  7. No, guys, please keep buying guns and holsters for your ladies without their input. I’ve gotten so many good deals from men in a hurry to dump gear their wives and girlfriends hate.

    • When I worked at a gun shop, i bought several well intentioned mistakes back. There was one particular pink and chrome charter arms that i sold and bought back 4 times. The last one was the best because i warned the dude that it would really be better if he brought her in. 3 days later it was back on the shelf.

    • To be honest, the 25% feels like one of those selectively engineered and manipulated statistics like the 25% of college women are sexually assaulted. There would be way more arrests and convictions for domestic violence if the 25% is accurate.

      • People have tempers (men and women), and do stupid things, and the legal definition of “assault” is quite broad – it would legitimately cover waiving your fist near someone else’s face, which I am sure more people have done than they would like to admit. And once tempers cool, of course that sort of trivial “assault” isn’t reported to the cops.

        And a lifetime is a long time. So yeah, you could get to that number pretty easily and have it be true.

  9. The lies and creative license involved in stories, especially “statistics” regarding so-called domestic violence is as prevalent as that about defensive gun use in general. First, there is simply no way to know the actual numbers since most is never reported. Most of the “studies” I’ve read are the same BS as so many other agenda driven “research.” Both men and women are quite capable of violence. Men are almost always stronger, but women are sneaky and determined…

    Second, there is no universal body of criteria, and these days the precious snowflakes count every word they don’t like as “abuse” and “sexual assault.” As an aside, did you ever hear a bunch of these harpies discussing men? HA Talk about assault language.

    Unfortunately, what these snowflakes actually want is CONTROL. Big surprise. They want control of everything, and demand that they bear zero responsibility for their own choices and actions. Those choices and actions (of both men and women) very often put them into the situations where they are at high risk, of course, and being unable and unwilling to defend themselves against actual attack just makes the whole deal worse. Then, if you mention that their own choices may have gotten them into that mess, they accuse you of “blaming the victim.”

    I’ve survived for 70 years. I take immediate and positive responsibility for my life and my safety. I’ve been attacked twice. I WAS able and willing to defend myself, and the only person who suffered harm was the attacker. And for that I have no apologies.

  10. An issue not raised here, which probably should be discussed, is the number of actually abused women who refuse to press charges or who at some point return to their abuser because “I love him!”

    These women, sad to say, would probably not use their pistol in self defense even when it was called for, and are very likely to be those whose “But I love him!” guy will take the weapon from her and blow her brains out when she hesitates.

    I am not arguing against arming women, simply noting that not every woman, even if armed, will react appropriately to the situation. A woman who WON”T shoot should be identified before an effort is made to get her armed.

    Sorry this is not as concise as I usually like, I’m a little under the weather.

  11. “I wish we could go back in time and uninvent the gun. Because then, bigger stronger men who could swing swords and axes harder than their enemies would go back to ruling the world. No more of this bullshit female “empowerment” and all minorities would be enslaved just the way they were meant to be. Without having disgusting guns to fight back, the weak and disenfranchised would have never forgotten their place in life, a life they should be thankful they were even allowed to have to begin with.”

    This guy gets it.

  12. @Sara Tipton
    Sara,
    I couldn’t agree more. If shopping for birthdays or holidays is any measure the majority of the male population has little of no clue as to what their respective female partners like, appreciate, need or will work best for them.
    From a slightly different direction I’d offer these thoughts ……
    Firearms and gear for women is much the same as buying Perfume. Most men go out and get what smells nice to them not having any real idea as to what their partner likes or why they smell so good! The just get something, anything, French, expensive and more often wrong than not and expect to be rewarded with excitment and pleasure in return.
    For those of us males for who the light bulb of understanding and comprehension, all be it a fairly dim bulb, went on. We know, when we have a moment to prepaired ourselves, to attempt the following to get the best responses from the women in our lives.
    — NEVER to answer a direct question from a women without FIRST putting ones mind in gear, thinking about the question being asked …. TWICE, only then to provide an answer to her query in a simple direct manner. You may be wrong no matter the answer but the males attempt at thinking before running off at the mouth is always worth the effort in a woman’s eyes. The “enlightened” male will be observant, remember what he observes and learn to apply those observations correctly in the future if he wishes for a more hormonious and closer relationship. I know this is a lot to take in and remember but it’s worth trying to retain it, really!
    — Unless the male in question KNOWS FOR SURE what a woman’s A) size is B) those manufactures she prefers and why (it’s about what fits them as much as style guys) C) what scents WORK with their chemistry D) what their favorite color is E) what their favorite flower is and last but not least F) KNOWS exactly what their preference and style in jewelry is ….. Don’t GUESS!!! Don’t BUY!!!! Find out!!
    Which brings us right around to firearms, camoflage, camping gear, fishing, and all things associated with males, outdoors, and tostesteron … but which, and not supriseingly so, females like and have specific opinions and ideas on, and are as good or better at them given a supportive oppertunity. Huh ….. JUST LIKE THEY DO ABOUT PERFUME AND FLOWERS!
    So, here’s the deal from an open minded guy to those guys who are just getting their heads right. Be supportive, make positive suggestions, do not TELL her what she needs, let her figure that out and look for a gun store that has a woman behind the gun counted or a range that provides classes or a women’s group on firearms and gear. YOU, the guy in the relationship, will be amazed at the result of not being “that guy”!
    Sara, great write up, great read, I enjoyed it very much. Have already shared with several of my shooters an contractor friends. Guys an gals alike.
    I’d be interested to know your specific likes and reasons why, too if your writing again!
    Best regards, Pete sends….

  13. Here we go, another post from Sara……

    Lets divide the sexes and make them equal at the same time.

    Didn’t even read it and know what to expect…

    • Yes, getting a bit predictable, I agree. TTAG is great, but a little more diversity wouldn’t be a bad thing.

    • Yep, it’s pretty clear you didn’t read it, because your comment makes no sense in relation to the post.

  14. You could also add that we have several thousand years of history of what the world would look like without guns. The middle ages, Roman empire, Greek empire, Persian empire, Egyptian empire, and various Chinese empires come to mind. Life was brutish, violent and often cut short. The world was not better off before guns – it was much worse.

    I don’t recall those times being any any better for women’s rights either. Domestic violence was commonplace and women enjoyed few, if any legal rights of any kind in those societies.

    Is this the world the anti-gun crowd is looking to restore?

    • Not to mention Ghengis (Jengis?) Khan, Alexander the Great, and the wonderful Islamic Caliphate.

      And those are just the biggies. I have heard many not so nice things about the Zulus as well, but I would hate to be labeled a racist.

    • Well, the Roman Empire was good for women in the context of its time. They could own property in their own name, including businesses, they could inherit and write wills that would be respected and executed in law. They could access the courts. Depending on the type of marriage, they had divorce rights on a similar footing with men.

      So while by no stretch of the imagination can it be said that Roman women were full and equal citizens, for the time, if you had to choose someplace to be a woman in Classical antiquity, Rome would be one of the best choices.

  15. If there is a chance a significant other could whack them, what makes anyone think removing guns would make a difference when they’re living under the same roof? Even the Santa Barbara killer knew better when dealing with his roommates… sorry to say it.

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