Drizzt
January 14, 2003, 06:18 PM
More area women carrying guns
Many say self-defense classes not enough
Ben Lemoine
WBRZ Reporter
Being kidnapped is something women never want to consider. But for some time in the Baton Rouge area, learning to shoot and carry a gun has become their only solace.
For the second time since the summer, the number of women buying handguns is skyrocketing. Many say they made up their minds when Mari Ann Fowler was abducted.
"I personally know Ms. Fowler," says Jodi Rodriguez, who is learning to shoot for the first time. "It's hit home. It's not just something you see on TV or the movies ... it's personal, and we're scared."
They are so scared that they are getting conceal-carry weapons permits and keeping loaded guns in their purses and jackets.
"I've been carrying the tear gas spray, and I'm not sure that would work if the time ever came to protect myself," says Rodriguez.
At the Chi Institute for Martial Arts on Nicholson Drive, protection is the number one goal. But Master Randal Chontas says guns are not the answer. He fears a surge in women carrying handguns will only lead to trouble.
"Getting these permits almost instantaneously ... you're going to have a lot of problems out there," says Chontas. "You're going to have a lot of injuries. You're going to have a lot of kids accidentally getting shot by getting in their mothers' purses and taking these guns."
Instead, Chontas urges women to learn self-defense without a weapon. He says more are listening. Nearly 50 percent of his students are female.
"I'd rather use my instincts and my own body -- what I have with me at the time," says Rachel Guice, a student who says she is petrified to walk alone at night in Baton Rouge. "I can't be sure that I'll always have my own gun on me or in my purse when I'm attacked."
In the end it comes down to personal choice. For those who have known the victims, they say the choice is clear. When asked if she could kill someone attacking her, Rodriguez says, "definitely."
http://www.wbrz.com/stories/011303/new_protection.shtml
Many say self-defense classes not enough
Ben Lemoine
WBRZ Reporter
Being kidnapped is something women never want to consider. But for some time in the Baton Rouge area, learning to shoot and carry a gun has become their only solace.
For the second time since the summer, the number of women buying handguns is skyrocketing. Many say they made up their minds when Mari Ann Fowler was abducted.
"I personally know Ms. Fowler," says Jodi Rodriguez, who is learning to shoot for the first time. "It's hit home. It's not just something you see on TV or the movies ... it's personal, and we're scared."
They are so scared that they are getting conceal-carry weapons permits and keeping loaded guns in their purses and jackets.
"I've been carrying the tear gas spray, and I'm not sure that would work if the time ever came to protect myself," says Rodriguez.
At the Chi Institute for Martial Arts on Nicholson Drive, protection is the number one goal. But Master Randal Chontas says guns are not the answer. He fears a surge in women carrying handguns will only lead to trouble.
"Getting these permits almost instantaneously ... you're going to have a lot of problems out there," says Chontas. "You're going to have a lot of injuries. You're going to have a lot of kids accidentally getting shot by getting in their mothers' purses and taking these guns."
Instead, Chontas urges women to learn self-defense without a weapon. He says more are listening. Nearly 50 percent of his students are female.
"I'd rather use my instincts and my own body -- what I have with me at the time," says Rachel Guice, a student who says she is petrified to walk alone at night in Baton Rouge. "I can't be sure that I'll always have my own gun on me or in my purse when I'm attacked."
In the end it comes down to personal choice. For those who have known the victims, they say the choice is clear. When asked if she could kill someone attacking her, Rodriguez says, "definitely."
http://www.wbrz.com/stories/011303/new_protection.shtml