http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nirbheek-Indias-first-gun-for-women/articleshow/28607959.cms
Wow, finally, the ultimate weapon for the protection of Indian women is here! Or, so Indian Ordinance Factory (IOF), Kanpur, the maker of Nirbheek – the first revolver for Indian women– believes. This pretty thing, which can reportedly fire six rounds without hassles, comes packed in a velvet-lined box to attract the fairer sex! The makers claim that women toting the gun can effectively fend off any rape attempts on them. What an idea sirji?!!
To me this news item raises questions - some grave and some silly. Where a woman is overpowered by men, as in a gangrape, is she not putting her life at a greater risk by carrying a gun? Common sense tells me, in a gangrape, which is essentially an act of animal aggression riding on mob mentality, a firearm may not be much of a deterrent. Also, the risk of the lethal weapon falling into wrong hands is high.
Ok, forget gangrape. What about protection for women who suffer lecherous looks, leering words, abusive touches, or other forms of oral and physical sexual abuse everyday in public transport, work place or other public places. Do these situations warrant the use of a gun?
The news report also quotes the general manager of IOF saying that the revolver has evinced a lot of interest among people, with 80 per cent of the enquiries coming from women. To assume that the enquiries are actually being made by women for their personal use would be naiveté. Interestingly, the article also hints at whom the new gun would eventually benefit by reeling out statistics of the number of arms licenses in Uttar Pradesh, which is over four times the number of firearms available with the UP police. The implications are terrifying!
Wow, finally, the ultimate weapon for the protection of Indian women is here! Or, so Indian Ordinance Factory (IOF), Kanpur, the maker of Nirbheek – the first revolver for Indian women– believes. This pretty thing, which can reportedly fire six rounds without hassles, comes packed in a velvet-lined box to attract the fairer sex! The makers claim that women toting the gun can effectively fend off any rape attempts on them. What an idea sirji?!!
To me this news item raises questions - some grave and some silly. Where a woman is overpowered by men, as in a gangrape, is she not putting her life at a greater risk by carrying a gun? Common sense tells me, in a gangrape, which is essentially an act of animal aggression riding on mob mentality, a firearm may not be much of a deterrent. Also, the risk of the lethal weapon falling into wrong hands is high.
Ok, forget gangrape. What about protection for women who suffer lecherous looks, leering words, abusive touches, or other forms of oral and physical sexual abuse everyday in public transport, work place or other public places. Do these situations warrant the use of a gun?
And, there is another
catch; priced at a little over Rs. 1.2 lakh, the gun is way beyond the reach of
the aam aurat on the streets, whom it claims to protect. Even for a small
percentage of urban women who can afford to buy it, carrying a firearm around
can pose serious practical challenges. Take me for example, I can think
of a long list of hassles my lethal possession can create for me:
First, when I step out
of the house, I must don a mindset that I carry the risk of being physically
assaulted. It follows that I should throw my nirbheek, along with my
wallet and mobile phone into my bag before I set out of home. That is not good
news for a woman’s bag, which at any point of time is bursting at its seams
with her numerous worldly possessions. As we all know, using a gun defensively
(to stun the offender) is all about timing. And this is where I don’t trust my
instincts. By the time I dig out the gun from the deep confines of my bag,
after diving through all the other stuff, well, I’m afraid the moment may
pass. The only alternative for me is to simply carry it around in my
hand, just as I do with my mobile phone. Somehow, I’m not sure it is a great
idea. I think I’ll wait till a brilliant designer comes along and designs a
woman’s vanity bag that can house the revolver safely, yet allow ease of use.
And what happens when I
carry the gun to malls, multiplexes, theatres, airports or any other public
place where I am subject to frisking. Will I be required to deposit it at the
luggage counters? Does the Indian Arms Act permit allow the use of firearms (as
a deterrant) in public places? Or, does the law assume that a woman is safe in
public places. Ironically, it seems the only place where a woman can safely
keep and use a gun is inside her own home or her own vehicle. I do not know how
many rapes (non-marital) happen inside a woman’s own home, but I suspect, it
may not be much.
The news report also quotes the general manager of IOF saying that the revolver has evinced a lot of interest among people, with 80 per cent of the enquiries coming from women. To assume that the enquiries are actually being made by women for their personal use would be naiveté. Interestingly, the article also hints at whom the new gun would eventually benefit by reeling out statistics of the number of arms licenses in Uttar Pradesh, which is over four times the number of firearms available with the UP police. The implications are terrifying!
Above all, it is
shocking to think that we live in a society where law makers believe a firearm
is a possible solution to contain the physical assaults on women..
