Can a gun protect India's women from rape and violence?

The Guardian ^ | January 19, 2014 | Jon Henley

[2ndDivisionVet]

Named after the 23-year-old who was raped and killed in Delhi in 2012, the Nirbheek pistol has been designed for women. But it has drawn fierce criticism from women's groups and anti-gun campaigners.

The Nirbheek gun designed for women: comes in a bejewelled maroon case.

It weighs barely 500g, is slim enough to slip into a purse, features an attractive darkwood handle on a black titanium-alloy body and comes in a bejewelled maroon case. Engraved on its barrel is the name Nirbheek: Hindi for fearless, and a synonym for Nirbhaya, the name given to the unnamed 23-year-old Delhi woman whose torture, gang rape and, ultimately, death at the hands of six men in December 2012 sparked national and international outrage.

The launch by India's state-run Indian Ordnance Factory of what is billed as the country's first handgun for women, and named after the victim of such a horrific murder, has drawn fierce criticism from women's groups and anti-gun campaigners who say it is an admission of state failure and an insult to Nirbhaya's memory. But Abdul Hameed, the factory owner, told the BBC the gun would increase women's confidence and deter attackers: "We believe that women who carry this gun will feel fearless," he said.

Despite tough new laws against rape, a greater police presence and the launch of dedicated women's helplines in several cities, shocking attacks on women – such as last week's gang rape of a 51-year-old Danish tourist in New Delhi – remain commonplace in India: general violence and homicides using guns may be falling, but levels of reported sexual crimes have increased significantly in recent years. Figures from the National Crime Records Bureau suggest one rape is committed every 22 minutes....

[Vaquero]

I would like to think that importation of a nice little Ruger LCP in .380ACP would solve the bulk, weight, snag, and power problems.

For max power in a little revolver that .327 Federal Mag with 125 gr loads is a powerhouse but maybe too much for a small female.

[cycjec]

According to Alan Moorehead, as reported in Clive James
book Cultural Amnesia, Gandhi’s objections to self defense
included his own countrymen; AM wrote that he said that
the Japanese could not kill all Indians.

[cycjec]

According to Alan Moorehead, as reported in Clive James
book Cultural Amnesia, Gandhi’s objections to self defense
included his own countrymen; AM wrote that he said that
the Japanese could not kill all Indians.

[Redcloak]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Nothing tells a man “I really, REALLY don’t want to have sex with you” quite like two to the center of mass.