I think that one of the sexiest things a woman can do is learn how to properly handle a firearm. My ex-girlfriend, Jennifer, was not afraid to handle my 12-gauge, and would often go trap shooting with us in college. Despite the recoil and her small 120lb frame, she was able to tame the firearm, and shoot accurately with just a little bit of practice. Jennifer, however, was the exception to the rule.

Most women today fear firearms. They are taught by society that guns are for men. They are told that guns are complicated devices, that they are not intelligent enough to operate. Women are led to believe that firearms are powerful tools that they don't have the strength to handle. Gun grabbers like Sarah Brady would have women believe that they are more likely to be disarmed by an attacker and have their firearm used against them, than they are able to properly defend themselves.

In fact, firearms are the great equalizer, because even a 6' 6" 350lb attacker is bound to be slowed down by a sucking chest wound. A woman, properly trained to use a firearm, could very easily neutralize an attacker three or four times her size. Gun grabbers would rather tell a woman to call 911, or try to gouge out the eyes of a would-be rapist. Unfortunately, police only respond quickly enough to actually prevent 5% of crime. Most of the time they arrive too late and are left to simply investigate the crime after the fact; which isn't very comforting to the victim (assuming she is still alive). Personally, I think it's much more efficient to squeeze off a double-tap to the chest and then call police to mop up his body. It certainly cuts down on the investigative work.

As for complexity, handguns are surprisingly simplistic. Any dealer hoping to make a sale will take a few minutes to teach a customer to properly strip the firearm down for cleaning. Many handguns need only to break down into a half dozen parts to be properly cleaned and maintained. As for shooting proficiency, a day or two out at the range should be enough to teach the basic skills needed. A professionally taught NRA safety course typically runs about $50, which isn't much considering the cost of a quality handgun.

If worse comes to worse, you could just ask someone at the range for help. Despite the images portrayed by the gun lobby, firearms owners are not all nuts. In fact, comradery is almost always shown to other firearms owners, and most guys would be more than happy to share their knowledge of firearms, shooting proficiency, and safety. Especially to a woman.

Obviously firearms aren't for every woman. Maturity is arguably more important than skill, especially for self-defense. (Hell, there are plenty of men out there that aren't mature enough to properly handle a firearm.) Anyone who intends to use a firearm for self defense needs to be prepared to use it once it is drawn. Even though over 90% of defensive gun uses require simply brandishing a firearm, drawing your gun against an attacker is always risky; more so if you are not prepared to back up your threat with real force.

Still, whenever I hear about some scumbag would-be rapist that gets his nuts blown off while trying to overpower a woman half his size, I can't help but smile. I know that there was a woman who was not afraid to take a stand in personal responsibility and self defense. There was a woman who would thumb her nose at the Sarah Brady's of the world; people that would tell a woman that they should let themselves be raped. They should beg an attacker for mercy, and then sit back and wait for police to round up the asshole, try him, convict him, and send him to jail for punishment and/or rehabilitation. There was a woman who knows it is her God-given right to defend herself. It is her duty to try to prevent herself from being violated in the first place.

As for the cowardly asshole who preys on the weak, he deserves what he gets.

Footnotes - This article by the Independent Women's Forum should be required reading of all women. This site is a good reference for the concealed carry laws in your state, however you should always check with your local attorney general's office or law enforcement body to ensure you are in compliance with applicable laws.