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A House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing recently delved into the Second Amendment’s impact on women’s empowerment, especially in the context of self-defense and domestic violence.
The session, titled “Second Amendment Rights Empower Women’s Rights,” (see video above) featured a diverse panel of experts and survivors, each bringing a unique perspective on the intricate relationship between gun ownership, women’s safety, and domestic violence issues.
Beth Alcazar, a seasoned instructor with the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), Certified Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer, and Certified Instructor, spoke about the critical role of self-defense training for women.
“I don’t have to wait for someone else to care for me or protect me. I am my own protector,” Alcazar stated, highlighting the growing number of women who own firearms and seek empowerment through responsible gun use.
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Geneva Solomon, a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) and the proprietor of Redstone Firearms in Burbank, California, as well as a former Director of Internal Communications for the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA), shared her journey from being a victim of domestic abuse to becoming a firearm store owner and educator.
Solomon’s testimony shed light on the empowerment she gained through firearm ownership, transforming her from a state of fear to one of confidence and strength.
Shirley Watral, the State Director for the Florida Women For Gun Rights Organization, a professional firearms instructor, domestic violence survivor, and author of “Heels to Holster,” discussed the limitations of legal protections such as restraining orders in ensuring women’s safety.
Watral strongly advocated for firearm ownership as a critical tool for self-defense, emphasizing, “The difference between a sense of security and real security for me is my firearm.”
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In contrast, Ruth Glenn, President of Survivor Justice Action, shared her personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence involving firearms.
Glenn argued that there is a heightened risk of lethal outcomes when firearms are present in domestic violence situations. She favors stronger laws to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.
All in all, it should be crystal clear that gun rights fundamentally intertwine with women’s rights. The age-old saying, “God created man and woman, but Sam Colt made us all equal,” rings truer than ever in this context.
The empowering essence of the 2A offers a level playing field, providing women not just a means of self-defense, but also a profound sense of equality and autonomy.
In the face of rising crime and evolving societal challenges, affirming and upholding these rights is more than just a policy debate—it’s a crucial step in ensuring the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women across the nation.
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I don’t think any minds were changed either way. To me it all boils down to an individual’s right to choose to carry a weapon for protection or wait for the police to show up later and chalk draw the body outline. you can be dead a long time waiting for the police to arrive. If you don’t want a gun that is your choice. Don’t take the choice away from others.
Government should have as little as possible to do with the general business and interests of the people. If it once undertake these functions as its rightful province of action, it is impossible to say to it ‘thus far shalt thou go, and no farther.’ It will be impossible to confine it to the public interests of the commonwealth. It will be perpetually tampering with private interests, and sending forth seeds of corruption which will result in the demoralization of the society. United States Magazine and Democratic Review