Jane's Due Process

[threeplusfire]

http://open.salon.com/blog/steelrigged/2009/06/02/i_helped_teenagers_get_secret_abortions

I know I am helping the right-wing make something private into something shameful by being discrete. But I don’t have a T.V. show, I don’t have security guards, all I have is the residual fear that somewhere there is a man with a gun, looking for our office, who is absolutely certain he has the right to shoot me, because I help teenagers get abortions.

Jane's Due Process - http://www.janesdueprocess.org/

I am thinking about volunteering for this group. I have no legal skills or training, but I do know how to talk to upset people on the phone. Of all the things I've done in my life, I am wondering if volunteering at clinics and for groups like this will be the most dangerous one. (My volunteer orientation for Planned Parenthood is next month)

I am also starting to wonder how this, and how my messy, complex gender identity crisis, will change my friendships and my life. My livejournal has not been exceptionally funny or lighthearted in the past couple weeks. If I feel some outrage fatigue on the subject, that probably goes double for anyone reading. Not to mention, is there a weird disconnect between identifying as male and being so wrapped up in the cause of women's rights over their reproductive health and choices? I don't know. Is it frivolous to be wishing I had a more gender neutral name at such a time? What am I going to say when someone does cut me out of their life because of all of this? Should I finally go ahead and take that hand gun class, get a concealed carry license?

It is strange, to feel all of this converging at once.

Comments

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I don't know - surely there have been more horrible things somewhere!

I think holding on to a gun needs to be a stronger component of gun education/safety in general. A person probably shouldn't carry a handgun if you can't hang onto it while being punched in the face.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but I was pissed and justified ;)

[delchi.livejournal.com]

This is a really good point. Having taken several (dozen) handgun classes this is one of the things that they mention over and over. From a personal point of view , I'd love to go to the range with you and take classes and such. I'd support the choice you made - but it's alot of consideration. I started out with just owning and getting used to carrying to and from the range. Carrying on a dialy basis is a whole other ball game with a twisty turny series of laws and rules that can make it very complicated. I can't get a carry permit here ( NY/NJ gun laws .. Iv'e got a better chance of ... nevermind heheh ... ) but if I ever end up in Nevada again it's quite easy.

Anyway back on track , anyone can loose a handgun if they are punched in the face , hit with a brick or so on. The proper use and deployment or LACK of deployment can prevent this. Don't let anyone tell you " Oh because you are $X you are vulnerable to having it taken away ". Lack of confidence, training, bad timing or bad luck can give someone a chance to disarm you.

In order to use deadly force, the person attacking you must meet specific criteria. If you follow this , then you will have time ad distance that should prevent the attacker from disarming you , and if they attempt to you will have ample time to , well, stop them.

Training is the most important thing. Training is more than just going to the range and target shooting. Training in scenario based situations with simulated weapons is just as important.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I think the two of us would scare the bejesus out of the other patrons at the gun range. Hee! I can picture it now.

It's been a long time since I had a gun of my own. I think owning one and becoming used to it again is a very good first step.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

PS : Check out if there is a " Pink Pistols " group nearby. They are an org. that provides handgun training for the GBLT community.

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

I think holding on to a gun needs to be a stronger component of gun education/safety in general.

This is one of the few reasons that have held me back in terms of owning a gun and having a concealed carry permit. My ex-bf taught me how to shoot and had a permit, but that was also in Tennessee, where everyone does. I imagine there should be plenty of support, in terms of classes, etc, where you are.