Bad advice for women

So there's been some bad advice making the rounds lately.  Colorado State Rep. Joe Salazar (D) said last week that women shouldn't be allowed to own guns.  He argued that women can't be trusted with guns, because if they feel like someone is following them, they might "pop off" at them with the gun, fearing being raped.  He argued that women don't need guns in case of rape, because there are call boxes were you can call for police, as well as whistles that you can blow to scare them away.

Another Colorado lawmaker advocated that women that are being raped should claim to have an STD and pee themselves to dissuade an attack.

Vice President Joe Biden had the best advice for women, saying "Go buy a shotgun."  That's great defense for at home (one that I too would advocate for).  Then he proceeded to be dumb.  He said he told his wife to take the double-barrel twelve gauge, go out on the balcony, and fire two blasts into the air.  That's great to scare off a burglar, but what if someone is actively seeking to harm her?  Now she's trapped with no where to go and a shotgun with no ammo.  Now all she's done is give away her location.

I have a widowed mother, a sister, and a one-year old niece.  I told my mother that if someone breaks into her house, take a shotgun and blow them away.  More accurately, I told her to cut them in half.  I'm not going to mention what my mother or sister possess, because that's no body's business but theirs.

My point is, who is to say that men are more responsible than women?  One of the best hunters I know is a lady from church.  And I would guess (just guess mind you; I didn't look it up) that most violent crimes are committed by men.  This is the same "women can't drive" or "women shouldn't vote" crap, at least from these CO representatives (though probably not the Vice President).  And conservatives are accused of sexism!

So let me give some more accurate advice.

1. Don't buy a double barrel shotgun.  By the pump action.  It holds more rounds, plus every bad guy in the country knows the sound of a round being chambered by the pump.  That in and of itself is usually enough to stop the robbery.
2. Vice President Biden said a twelve gauge is harder to handle than an AR-15.  That's actually backwards.  Most AR-15s are not fully automatic, and the smaller round give them much less kick, so they're actually easier to handle.  Shotgun kick so hard they hurt.  A lot.  Still, though some choose the AR-15 for self defense, I would rather stick with the shotgun.  For home defense, I would recommend a 20 gauge (the larger the number, the smaller the round).  This would be much easier to handle.
3. Shotguns are great for home, but you get odd looks if you carry one all the time.  Mace and stun guns can help, but if you live in a dangerous area and feel you want a gun, go with a 9mm.
4. This is the most important rule.  ONLY get a firearm AFTER you have had proper training.  There are a few basic rules, like always treat a gun like it's loaded, even if it isn't.  Because sometimes people think its empty, until they shoot their friend.  You also need to know that you always treat a gun like the safety's off, because accidents happen.  And you never point a gun at ANYTHING that you don't want to kill/destroy.  You also need to learn how that particular weapon operates, how to aim safely, and how to maintain the weapon.

One last thing.  Rape isn't a political argument.  It isn't hypothetical.  And it isn't "no big deal."  It's a huge deal.  And it should not be used for political gain.  It's a terrible crime and does not deserve to be taken lightly.  Neither do the victims.  So just stop it.