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GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE GUNS

Do Women Need AR-15s More Than Men?

Senate testimony calls assault rifles 'weapon of choice' for women with kids

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by Mary Noble

Senior Editor t +

Image: Free Republic

Yesterday's Senate hearing on gun violence saw expert testimony from a woman who explained that women need AR-15s even more than do men.

Gayle Trotter, a lawyer and senior fellow of the Independent Women's Forum, told the hearing that banning assault weapons would undermine women who want to defend themselves and their children.

"Young women are speaking out as to why AR-15 weapons are their weapon of choice," she said. "The guns are accurate. They have good handling. They're light. They're easy for women to hold. And most importantly, their appearance. An assault weapon in the hands of a young woman defending her babies in her home becomes a defense weapon. And the peace of mind that a woman has as she's facing three, four, five violent attackers, intruders in her home, with her children screaming in the background, the peace of mind that she has knowing that she has a scary-looking gun gives her more courage when she's fighting hardened, violent criminals. If we ban these types of assault weapons, you are putting women at a great disadvantage, more so than men, because they do not have the same type of physical strength and opportunity to defend themselves."

Via Raw Story.
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Would women be especially harmed by a ban on AR-15s?

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194 Comments (view in Forum)

  • bsking
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    I know a girl who put 30 rounds in the head of a silhouette target her first time out.. I told my son don't ever mess with her ;-)

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  • S-N-A-F-U
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    Remember when the shooting at Newtown, Ct,took place, the Police revealed that they found an AR-15 (Assault rifle) in the trunk of the shooters car, not in the school? Well, it seems that the liberal media tried to hide that fact from the public for political reasons? It was found that the carnage was inflicted by 4 hand guns, not an AR-15. So much for truth in reporting from this media and WH...

    http://www.ijreview.com/2013/01/30208-nbc-adm...

    Remember, for years the gun grabbers were after our hand guns only! That's changed with this administration, why is this?? Consider -- It's not Pistols that this administration is afraid of, could it be Shoulder type weapons?-- You can't take a country back with 'pistolas' Think about it......
  • John_Matrix
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    The attributes used to describe the AR are very true, with the exception of it looking scary, at least in my opinion. The biggest problem I have with these magazine capacity limits are the fact that it limits ones ability to effectively engage multiple targets or lay down suppression fire if needed.
  • stepped_in_it
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    Jeez, what kind of animals are you hunting? "engage multiple targets or lay down suppression fire if needed.".....sounds like bambi is running in packs and shooting back!
  • NTBFW
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    @stepped_in_it we are talking about self defense here. Not hunting. In any kind of gun fight one can NEVER have too many rounds available. If you need them you need them. If not you simply stop shooting.
  • frigginhell
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    any well made firearm is extremely accurate but only as accurate as the person firing it is capable of performing. if she can't hit the broadside of a barn all an AR 15 is going to do is let her miss more and faster. Intimidating? I'm fairly certain that returning fire is generally enough to do away with any would be robbers or attackers. If it's not then the whole arguement of needing guns to protect yourself is losing credibility. If you are unable to defend yourself with say a .22 or .25 handgun then what purpose do those weapons now serve? If you're advocating gun safety but feel the need to let people who can't fire accurately have more rounds so they can keep shooting until they hit something you're not being honest. You don't need a weaon with the rate of fire and range of a rifle to defend your home. Once you have to start looking down your scope to pick off the guy from a few hundred yards out, you've probably crossed the line of defending yourself. Well, unless you made it so easy to buy an assault rifle he has one himself. Which is funny as hell.
    Bottom line is you don't need anything any larger than even a 0.25 to defend your home altho I'm all for allowing them to use 9mm's as well. Honestly, you'd be better off with a shotgun. The sound alone will make them relieve themselves in their pants. If you're a poor aim get a 20 gauge or 410 with some buckshot or birdshot. It's still loud, it covers your spraying wet dreams and it doesn't travel half a mile down the road and through the neighbors window killing their kid because you can't aim.
  • ProCCW
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    @frigginhell FYI an AR15 does not fire any faster than other semi autos. Please do not confuse the AR15 with a fully automatic rapid fire weapon. One pull one bullet.
  • ProCCW
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    @frigginhell I do agree that a shotgun is good for defense weapon and can be safer in closed quarters. I would use whatever I have handy which is usually my carry pistol.

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  • PoliticalSpice
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    @MongoAPillager not as catchy, but there is actually a t- shirt like that? What group made it? I knew a girl once who starred in a movie called "ms. 45" same idea. It wasn't a good movie, but an interesting premise...

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  • NTBFW
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    Do you really need an explanation of why? Have you ever heard of TAP frangible ammo? With a shot gun you are limited to at most 9 rounds.
  • Penn1699
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    @NTBFW no I have not heard of that. However it will be a sorry day for the crazy that hits my house. My rpg does a bit more than shoot buck :). That's if they make it through the 4 putbulls.
  • NTBFW
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    @Penn1699 TAP is designed not to over penetrate walls. Not to knock a shotgun but they do tend to be heavier and have more recoil. That why I give the nod to the AR. Plus there is the range factor. A shotgun is a close range weapon. A rifle has more flexibility for different situations.
  • Penn1699
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    @NTBFW Ahh. Well I believe a person should have what they feel comfortable with. I'm not fond of the recoil on my shoulder or the tingling in my hand with some.

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  • stepped_in_it
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    Some people can't be trusted with shoe laces and therefore use Velcro....and you want to give them an AR? Now that would be birth control and a virus plague at the same time!
  • Keyjo
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    Maybe back in the days of "prairie women," all alone and defenseless while their men folk were out hunting, farming, or spending time with their special "Brokeback" buddy.
    But as of the last century or two, Indian attacks on settlers' cabins are way down.
    I'm not saying I want a ban on AR-15's, I don't; at least not until I buy one for myself.
    But this whole Bambo thing is silly.
  • Medicinebow
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    What "bambo" thing? That is silly. Stop and consider that not every woman is married and i'm sure a fair amount of women live alone. Who are you or I to tell them what to use? Good luck finding an AR-15. Heck, i'm having difficulty getting bullets and brass.
  • Keyjo
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    @Medicinebow
    Single or Married, makes no difference. Yeah, many women live alone, have multiple children to protect. But I don't really think that a rifle is that effective for self defense in one's home. If one of those little rug rats grows into a frustrated, bullied teen, off to school with Mama's AR-15.
    But moreover, I can see a person, not just a woman, searching the house for prowlers, with a rifle. As she peeps around the hallway wall, the intruder takes full advantage of the long barrel and takes the weapon away. AR-15's are great for clearing houses if you are in the military are part of a S.W.A.T. team, not so good if you are by yourself, tactically speaking.
    I guess in the event that several men rush her front door and the lady just happens to be sitting on her porch holding her loaded AR-15, well then I can see the point.
    As far as finding the AR-15, I can't afford one right now. But when I can, I'm certain this whole thing will have blown over, and it will; it always does.
  • Medicinebow
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    @Keyjo An AR-15 wouldn't be my first choice...and it isn't. I keep 2 handguns available. One a 10MM loaded with hard cast, penetrating ammo, a laser and rail light for bears and the other a .45 with tritium might sights and JHP's for 2 legged critters. But, i'm not going to knock another's choice if that is what they feel comfortable with. I'm quite comfortable with handguns and shoot regularly.
  • AnnieO
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    @Keyjo I'm home alone a lot because of my husband's job plus the occasional deployments with the military. I have 2 AR 15s and I would never use them for home defense. I'd like to keep my house intact. I keep my ARs locked up and they only come out when I'm target shooting or getting those coyotes. I keep 2 of my handguns loaded for home defense. An AR just isn't practical for that in my opinion. Until an angry mob of murderers shows up at my door, it won't be used for home defense. :)
  • SavageMazx
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    @AnnieO what's you round of choice, I prefer .45 from my trusty 1911 , my wife prefers .357 in a good old fashion hand cannon. 9mm has questionable stopping power even in a home defense round.

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  • NTBFW
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    I can say that an AR15 is an excellent choice for ANYONE. But what makes it attractive to women is its lightweight low recoil and the collapsible stock can make shouldering it easier for smaller frames. Spray and pray is an invention of those that have no experience with firearms.
  • BelinKS
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    @thatgirl
    It doesn't matter who coined the phrase. What I have learned on this thread makes me want an AR15. Lightweight with low recoil is good. I would be glad to replace my handguns(2) with one.
  • NTBFW
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    @BelinKS I wouldn't replace my handguns for one but I recommend having both. There are times it's not practical to carry a rifle with you.
  • BelinKS
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    @NTBFW
    I should have been more specific. AR15 for home protection and the shooting range. I will not get rid of my hand guns. I have a conceal carry liscence, but rarely do. Very rarely!
  • harold_lloyd
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    AR and AK type weapons are not good defensive firearms. They are awkwardly long and over-penetrate.

    If a handgun is not preferred, then a carbine in a medium pistol caliber is better.

    Not to mention the fact that most women don't have the testosterone problems that so many boys seem to have as a motivating factor in their selection of weapons. So utility usually takes precedence.
  • Medicinebow
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    Penetration is a factor of many things and weapon style is of little consequence. I purposely keep 2 weapons available because when that bear comes back in I want LOTS of penetration. For 2 legged critters JHP's are sufficient in typical handgun calibers. A .223 jhp will not over penetrate. In fact, it will do the opposite.
  • harold_lloyd
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    @Medicinebow
    I'm going to assume that most of what you know is theoretical.

    When that bear comes in the back, you'll really want something better than an AR type rifle, I'd suggest a 12 gauge and slugs, or a .308 or larger. But maybe you can run better than I can.

    Next time you're at the range, see how many layers of 1/2" drywall your .223 will penetrate.
  • Medicinebow
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    @harold_lloyd I don't use a .223 for home protection. I use handguns. There are .223 rounds designed to not penetrate and ones that will. I'm simply saying if someone else wants to use one then it's their choice. I'm more concerned about what my handguns will penetrate inside the house. I'll have to experiment with the various .223 rounds I have when the opportunity arises and compare it to my handguns in different calibers. Perhaps the results will be different than the one's at Quantico. But hey, I like to put those types of theories to the test.
  • Politic-n
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    Rifles penetrate less than handgun rounds. Most swat teams have switched from subguns which use pistol rounds, to AR-15s, to reduce overpenetration and collateral damage. Study up before you talk.

    John R. Ex Spec Forces, 15 year LEO

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  • _Jenny_
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    A Conservative gun advocate says an AR-15 is the weapon of choice for young mothers. Cool. I didn't know Republicans had such a hilarious sense of humor.
  • Grubby
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    Actually, my wife has a very hard time holding up my hunting rifles - too heavy for her forearm. Her M&P 15-22 is very easy for her to handle, so there is some truth in this message. However, for defense she will not pick up the M&P (it only shoots .22 LR). She prefers her 9mm Glock 19. With a couple of extra magazines and home defense bullets, she will put up a pretty good defense. Unfortunately, if the Liberal nuts get the ban on one type of weapon, they will go for more. This is only the beginning of their efforts to disarm the victims.
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