a peaceful woman explains why she carries a gun

Linda Hasselstrom Is a Peaceful Woman Now days world is not safe. According to the CDC, “non-contact unwanted sexual experiences” are the most prevalent form of sexual violence in the Unites States. Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. According to the online studies by Stop Street Harassment, 99% of respondents said that they had been harassed at least a few times. “A Peaceful Woman Explains Why She Carries a Gun” by Linda Hasselstrom exemplifies a use of having a gun for protection as a last resort. Hasselstrom was justified for her need to own a gun as she wanted to be protected, safe and have a peace of mind. Desire to be protected justified Hasselstrom to get a gun; however, she considered other means of protection first. To begin with, Hasselstrom used improvised means for protection. For example, she had her own “gun” (spray cans of deodorant) which did not have to be registered. However, one night while camping, the author and her friend, harassed by two young men, decided not to tempt fate and use their “improvised mace”, but simply leave the camping area. When improvised means of protection did not work, Hasselstrom considered another option- a citizens band radio, a system of short-distance radio communications between individuals which does not require a license. However, she rejected this method of protection providing an example of a woman who got beaten and raped using a CB radio to get help with a flat tire. The last method Hasselstrom considered as a mean of protection was self-defense. For her, kung fu class was a smart decision because on the top of her self-preservation, her height and weight did not give her any benefit. Therefore, looking for protection, Hasselstrom provided the readers with justified steps she took prior to the extreme measure of protection- a gun. Also, the author was well-grounded for her need of a gun because she wanted safety. Firstly, she did not feel safe on