May 29, 2012
A growing number of Indian women are buying guns in order to protect themselves from untoward situations
Dr Harveen Kaur carries a lightweight .22 revolver in her bag every time she leaves her house and is of the opinion that the police are unable to protect her. She thinks that the surge in attacks against women is one of the many reasons why women in India are enticed to keep weapons.
May 29, 2012
A growing number of Indian women are buying guns in order to protect themselves from untoward situations
Dr Harveen Kaur carries a lightweight .22 revolver in her bag every time she leaves her house and is of the opinion that the police are unable to protect her. She thinks that the surge in attacks against women is one of the many reasons why women in India are enticed to keep weapons.
It is estimated that there are around 40 million guns in India, making it the second largest country to have such a huge weapon count after United States. Most of the weapons are kept illegally as obtaining a license is a difficult task.
National Association for Gun Rights India is a group which was founded in 2009 and believes in fewer restrictions on keeping firearms. Rakshit Sharma, Secretary General of the group believes that guns should be used as a final resort and says that women frequently call them to enquire more about obtaining a firearm license. The trend is strongest in regions where people do not mind keeping weapons such as Punjab.
The recent trend has also increased revenues and profits of various businessmen who sell arms and ammunition in India. Satish Kumar, a gun seller in Chandigarh, says 10 per cent of the people buy weapons for safety whereas a hefty 90 per cent keep them as they are considered a status symbol.
Indian women, who were interviewed by the Guardian, said that they feel threatened by the current law and order situation in India. The level of general violence has declined; however, the cases of sexual assault have increased.
Anita Dhiman Dass, who has three different guns, believes that women in Delhi should definitely keep a weapon. According to her, changing lifestyles and a sudden rise in working women attribute immensely to their vulnerability.
Dass believes that if all women carry weapons, many mishaps and accidents can be easily avoided.
Courtesy: freepost
