By: Lisa Packer
Taylor Woolrich makes the case to carry a gun for self defense.
Taylor Woolrich thought she was safe. She’d been away at Dartmouth College for 18 months, and had arrived home to California at 1:30 in the morning. She didn’t think anyone knew she was in town.
But by 8:30 that morning, the man she’d hoped never to lay eyes on again was at the door. Richard Bennett has allegedly been stalking Taylor since 2010 and was under a restraining order. This was the second time he’d been caught in violation of it.
When police searched Bennett’s car they discovered a classic “rape kit:” duct tape, rope tied into a slip noose, knives and more.
Woolrich understandably wants to be able to defend herself, and has applied for permits to carry a concealed firearm. She made headlines this week because she says the administration at Dartmouth refuses to waive its blanket anti-weapons policy for her.
Gun control and carry permits are controversial topics. Woolrich is becoming a symbol for people on the side of gun ownership. But regardless of anyone’s beliefs on that topic one fact is undeniable:
Carrying a gun is not the only option Woolrich has to protect herself.
Lets imagine for a moment that her stalker had managed to avoid detection that morning when she came home from college. Or even that he manages some day to locate her on campus. Even if Woolrich is carrying a firearm, it’s entirely possible for Bennett to sneak up on her from behind. To quickly get his arms around her neck in a choke hold and have her restrained.
What good does the gun do her now? In fact, its entirely possible that in this scenario her gun could be the very item Richard Bennett uses to end Taylor Woolrich’s life.
Self Defense Can’t Rely On A Single Tool
Now let’s imagine a different scenario. Bennett sneaks up on Woolrich from behind. As his arm wraps around her neck, she instantly turns her head to put her mouth in the crook of his elbow, allowing herself to breathe. She juts her hips backwards, offsetting his balance. As her hands grab his forearm, she positions one foot behind his. Now she sinks to one knee, probably making Bennett think his attack is working and she’s about to pass out.
Instead, with a twist of her upper body, Woolrich tosses Bennett forward over her shoulder, and he lands on his back on the pavement. While the breath is knocked out of him, she is able to quickly immobilize him, giving herself time to get to safety.
Whether you want to carry a gun or not, the fact is it can’t protect you in every situation. As Taylor Woolrich discovered, there are going to be places it is not allowed. And occasions where you just don’t have time to get to it.
By engaging in self defense training (such as the Ninja Self Defense classes here at Elevo Dynamics) you give yourself more tools, more options to meet any type of attack. You don’t have to rely on a firearm, or on police or campus security. And you don’t have to be afraid.
Because there is no more empowering feeling in the world than knowing you are capable of defending yourself – whether you have a weapon on hand or not.
Lisa Packer is a freelance writer, Internet Marketing Consultant and student of Modern Ninjutsu. She currently holds the rank of yellow belt in To Shin Do and is looking forward to growing and progressing in this exciting Martial Art.
