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(2) Self-defense courses emphasize prevention, use of assertive body language and verbal techniques, and role-playing. These techniques can often be used to prevent a situation from reaching the point where violence is called for; in addition, these techniques can be used to defend against sexual harrassment. How does Ms. Miller propose that gun-toting women respond to sexual harrassment–shoot the guy?
(3) MRL’s letter claimed that self-defense courses teach women to get angry and out of control. MRL cites the case of a Chimera graduate who injured a man who was not even attacking her. Aside from the obvious questions this example raises (if self-defense techniques are so ineffective, how did she manage to injure the man? What about the numerous gun owners who have mistakenly shot and killed people who were not even attacking them?), MRL’s claim is inaccurate. Self-defense courses do not teach women to get out of control, but instead to calmly assess the situation and decide what to do about it.
W. Arlington
