| Rapist in Cincinnati Park Proves Need for CCW |
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| Written by Joanna K. | |
| Wednesday, 11 October 2006 | |
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As a woman, I must confess that I used to depend on my husband for much of my safety. My husband has had his Ohio Concealed Handgun License for some time. My husband prepares for emergencies and trains to deal with potential situations. My husband keeps our shotgun for home defense within easy reach at night. My husband meticulously cleans our firearms, buys the best ammunition, and practices on a regular basis. My husband locks up our house each night, sets the alarm, and sleeps closest to the bedroom door. 
While he does an excellent job of taking care of me, I realize that he is not with me 24 hours a day. While I depend on him for so much in my life, the fact remains that I still have to depend on myself. Similarly, when we have children of our own, they also will depend on me and me alone. Women are strong. I believe a woman can accomplish anything she chooses to. Physically, however, we are at a disadvantage. On average, we are shorter; we weigh less and have less muscle mass. A firearm has been called “The Great Equalizer”. What better way to promote gender equality than to encourage women to take their safety and their children’s safety into their own hands? Women should be given the option to equip themselves to make up for what nature has not provided. Unfortunately for some women, they come to this realization too late. Unfortunately for all women, the state of Ohio mandates that we be disarmed and remain at the mercy of criminals in certain situations. Some officials are actively trying to take things further by banning my right to self-defense in city parks. They need to be informed what their devastating policies mean to me and my family. Then they need to answer for their actions and tell me why they demand that I be defenseless against the monsters that also visit our parks. They need to hear about the tragic events that were recently reported in The Cincinnati Enquirer. A 21-year old mother of two was sexually assaulted in front of her two children during an afternoon visit to a local park. The 16-year old rapist left his school, walked to the park, approached the victim, told her he had a gun, then forced her to undress and perform sexual acts in the presence of her two-year old and six-month old. The victim repeatedly and unsuccessfully begged to be allowed to take her children home. Park officials noticed the nude victim and approached the scene. The attacker then fled. A Sharonville police officer spotted the accused a short time later in a nearby church parking lot. The teen was arrested and taken to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center. “In my entire career I have not come across anything this appalling to me,” Sharonville Police Lt. John Cook said. “The fact that he did this in front of the two children is disgusting.”I hope that the woman and her family can find some way to heal after this terrible tragedy. I also hope that those sworn to protect me and my community do not legislate away my natural right of self-defense and leave me at the mercy of larger, stronger, deranged criminals when my future children ask to visit our local park. I am responsible… law-abiding… trained… and only want to protect myself. How can someone hear this heart-wrenching story and tell me they will not allow me to do so? |