When Rihanna shoots her rapist in the music video “Man Down”, the world is upset. Critics do not like how it suggests “retaliation in the form of premeditated murder”. Apparently, the video favors vigilante justice, especially for the female victims of rape and violence.

Now here’s the real thing. An estimated 15 to 20 million women have guns in the USA, according to gun sale statistics.

That’s quite a number. So if you think most American women tremble at the idea of holding guns in their delicate hands, think again.

It turns out that many of these gun-carrying women have very low profiles (meaning, they don’t go around the town telling everyone they have guns). Guns are also equally distributed across different social status – from young socialites, to female law enforcers, to jobless women who stay at home.

Women who own gun(s) have various reasons:

1. Profession

Law enforcers carry guns as a job protocol. Wildlife hunters also need guns for big game. Competition shooters lawfully possess guns.

2. Self-Defense

Be it in the bustling Financial District of Manhattan or in the rural area where a 911 call is impractical, there will always be crimes. Women’s need to protect themselves and their loved ones from crimes and violence drives them to possess guns. Unlike martial arts, women do not need training to shoot and injure opponent straight away.  Still, it is best to get proper training before owning one.

3. Family Heirloom

There are also women who keep guns that are being passed on to them by their fathers or ancestors. These often antique guns are a symbol of family and tradition. And they are looking for that day when they can pass these heirlooms to their grown-up sons and daughters too.

4. Passion

Leave the diamonds to Elizabeth Taylor, the shoes to Marilyn Monroe. Not all girls see jewelry and shoes as their best friends. There are few who adore guns.

Take for example the case of a simple Minnesota resident named Teresa. Her fascination for guns has been documented by photographer Lindsay McCrum in her book entitled “Chicks with Guns”. Teresa is a proud owner of gold .50-cal Desert Eagle with tiger stripes (“one of the largest, most powerful pistols out there”, she swoons). For her, gun is something she just had to have:

“Some women experience that feeling with clothes, some with jewelry. For me it was with a large firearm.”

5. Investment

Women collect jewelry and clothes both as passion and form of investment. These things improve their self-presentation and they can always pawn the jewelries and rent the clothes in case of money emergency.

Is gun a good investment for women?  Well, guns can be sold too. But what women are really investing in gun ownership is their well-being and that of their loved ones.

GUNS FOR URBANETTES

What guns do women prefer? That all depends on their skill level and interest.

For upper-income urban female professionals, a small but powerful revolver is the popular choice. Such chic revolver has great power than a .33 caliber automatic handgun, but it is not too heavy to carry and also not too technical to shoot.

Urbanettes are also favoring the lightweight .38 special snub nosed revolver with a short 2 inch barrel that can easily be carried in a purse or coat pocket. Hence, the Smith & Wesson Centennial 442 Airweight is widely popular.

For those who love a spark of color, the trendy Charter Arms Pink Lady .38 Special 38SPC DAO and Charter Arms Lavender Lady .38 Special 38SPC are all the rage.

Many shooting enthusiasts, however, best recommend the .32 H&R (Harrington & Richardson) magnum, specifically for defensive measures against attacks. This handgun is small and light to carry, but its bullet delivers more impact because it is designed to have higher velocity.

Disclaimer:
While this article focuses on women who carry guns for various reasons, Urbanette Magazine remains neutral on the issue of gun control and gun safety in the home.