Senate Gun Control Hearing: Guns make women safer.

Female Gun Rights Activist Calmly Captivates Senate Gun Control Hearing
By BERT ATKINSON JR.

Attorney Trotter On Gun Violence Prevention

Our next witness is Gail Trotter.  She is the co-founder of Shafer and Trotter PLC, a law firm here in Washington.  She is also a senior fellow at the Independent Women's Forum.  Attorney Trotter good to have you here, go ahead please:

Chairman Leahy, ranking member Grassley, and members of this committee.  Thank you for inviting me to appear before you today.  We all want a safer society.  We differ on how to make our society safer.  And we differ on whether some proposals will actually increase public safety.  I urge you to reject any actions that will fail to make Americans safer, and in particular, harm women the most.

I would like to begin with the compelling story of Sarah McKinley.  Home alone with her baby, she called 911 when two violent intruders began to break down her front door.  These men were forcing their way into her home to steal prescription medication of her recently deceased husband.  Before police could arrive, while Mrs. McKinley was still on the phone with 911, these violent intruders broke down her door.  One of the men had a foot long hunting knife.  As the intruders forced their way into her home, Mrs. McKinley fired her weapon, fatally wounding one of the violent attackers.  The other fled.  Later, Mrs. McKinley explained it was either going to be him or my son, and it wasn't going to be my son.

Guns make women safer.

Over 90% of violent crimes occur without a firearm, which makes guns the great equalizer for women.  The vast majority of violent criminals use their size and their physical strength to prey on women who are at a severe disadvantage.  In a violent confrontation, guns reverse the balance of power.  An armed woman does not need superior strength or the proximity of a hand to hand struggle.  Concealed carry laws reverse that balance of power even before a violent confrontation occurs.

For a would-be criminal  concealed carry laws dramatically increase the risk of committing a crime. This indirectly benefits even those who do not carry.   Research shows that in jurisdictions with concealed carry laws, women are less likely to be reaped or murdered than they are in states with more restrictions on gun ownership.

Armed security works.

Brave men and women stand guard over capital hill, including this building where we are now.  Armed guards protect high profile individuals including prominent gun-control advocates, some of whom also rely on personal gun permits.  While armed security works, gun bans do not.  Anti-gun legislation keeps guns away from the sane and the law abiding, but not criminals.  No sober minded person would advocate a gun ban instead of armed security to protect banks, airports, or government buildings.

We need sensible enforcement of the laws that are already on the books.  Currently we have thousands, THOUSANDS, of under-enforced or selectively enforced gun laws and we fail to prosecute serious gun violations and impose meaningful and consistent penalties for violent felonies involving firearms.

Instead of self-defeating gestures, we should address gun violence based on what works.  Guns make women safer.  The Supreme Court has recognized that lawful self defense is a central component of the second amendments guarantee of the right to keep and bear arms.  For women, the ability to arm ourselves for our protection is even more consequential than for men.  Because guns are the great equalizer in a violent confrontation.  As a result, we protect women by safeguarding our Second Amendment rights.  Every women deserves a fighting chance.  Thank you.

http://www.ijreview.com/2013/01/33725-female-gun-rights-activist-calmly-captivates-senate-gun-control-hearing/