After our modeling session with RACWAD, my buddy Craig was inspired to share these thoughts about people (mostly women) who delegate their personal security to a significant other. Since no other (significant or otherwise) has seen fit to claim me, I don’t have the luxury of knight-in-shining-armor mentality, so honestly I had never even thought much about this issue. But Craig raises some great points, so I’m passing them along!
“I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire.A week ago or so I had lunch with a long-time, female friend. I have been trying for some time to get her into a handgun carry permit class and to convince her she needed to be armed.
Her response was the same as always, “I intend to do that one of these days. I’ve got so much going on. But I will someday soon. Besides, my husband has a permit and he carries so he can protect me.” I had to ask, “Where is he right now?” The answer was, not within 5 miles of her.
Her response was, “Well, you’re armed! You’ll protect me!” The answer to my response of, “What will you do when I walk out the door?” was a blank expression.
Women who rely on their husbands/boy friends/significant others/friends for protection are just kidding themselves. They never stop to think that they are not in their company 100% of the time. Even if they were, that is still no guarantee that the other person will be in a position to protect them. Street crime is dynamic and the dynamics may dictate that one person can’t protect another.
I can’t fathom this kind of thinking; that somebody else will save you in times of emergency. It’s certainly not exclusive or limited to women but I do hear it more from women than men. People are responsible for themselves. (In many more ways than just self-defense but that is another story.)
And there are the old stand-by excuses: It’s too inconvenient…they way women dress make it difficult…blah, blah. Tiffany shows how easy it is to carry with just a bit of instruction and a little thought.
– Craig Harper
If you stop and tally it up you realize just how little time you may actually spend with your spouse or significant other. My wife and I spur each other on to carry every lawful minute. Even further, we cultivate the habit of both of us trying to be situation aware. Two sets of eyes/ears detect more than one. Thus, even when we are together we are trying to multiply the chances of either avoiding a problem or working together to deal with it. Having that 2nd CCW helps in multiple ways. Good post.
Thanks (on Craig’s behalf)! I spend so much time alone that I rarely think about team tactics. Cue the violins…