weapons
Nawaal Deane and Roshila Pillay ‘Clear … aim… fire!” shouts the instructor, and with a series of explosive shots, the shooting session begins. A group of black 30-something women have discovered a new hobby: shooting. The shooting range is becoming a prime hang- out for women serious about protecting themselves. Standing in a row 10m from the target board, they’re the modern gunslingers, all set to point and fire their weapons at the practice range. “What began as a means to protect ourselves has now also become a hobby,” says Delisile Malambo* (30), an engineer and mother of two. Malambo views a gun as a necessity as it provides protection, especially when she is driving home in the evenings. “I can carry it in my jeans pocket with a large T- shirt to cover it and no one will suspect that a black woman has a gun,” she says. The element of surprise as well as her skill gives Malambo a sense of “being in charge” of any situation. These gun owners say they have a responsibility to educate themselves and their families on how to use their weapons. “My seven-year-old son accompanies me to the range where I teach him about a gun and how to handle it,” she says. Women who have guns should not look for fights says Malambo. Guns are used as a last resort in an emergency when your life is threatened. Malambo enjoys carrying a gun. “I would support a gun-free society if they can guarantee and offer me protection,” she agrees.
A global awareness of women and guns was highlighted by a writer for The Observer, Eileen MacDonald, who was intrigued by Interpol and European anti-terrorist squad recruits who were advised to “shoot the women first”. MacDonald interviewed the female members of organisations ranging from the Basque separatist group to the Baader-Meinhof gang to find out why the “less violent sex is regarded by anti-terrorist groups as the more lethal”.
MacDonald came to no firm conclusion, but says significant factors include women’s need to prove themselves and to be able to “influence the world about you instead of experiencing it passively”. This sentiment is not reflected by Shereen Forbes (28), who is a former international Springbok pistol shottist and an instructor who feels forced to carry her gun for her protection.
“I don’t like to carry a gun but I don’t feel safe in this country.” Her attitude is that women should not carry a gun if they are not prepared to use it. As an instructor she feels that there is a misconception that a gun is a man’s item and it is a lack of confidence among women which enhances the misconception.
“I am a mother and I feel that it is my constitutional right to protect myself and my family.” Forbes points out that each situation needs an appropriate response and faced with a hijacking she would not pull out her gun. “I shoot to kill, not to injure,” she says. “I am not trigger-happy or aggressive but in a situation where my life is threatened I won’t think twice about shooting.” Forbes recognises that to live in a gun-free society would be beneficial but says: “This is South Africa and that is definitely not our reality.”
Alex Holmes, the chair of the National Firearms Forum and South African Gunowners’ Association (Saga), does not see the use of guns as a gender issue but believes that women have more practical reasons than men do for using guns. “Women who have been hijacked, robbed or almost raped feel that they should be able to defend themselves.” “There is no such thing as a woman’s gun,” he says. A woman can shoot any type of gun and not just stick to revolvers because they are smaller and easier to use than pistols. Linda Swanepoel, a police reservist and a member of Saga, was involved in an attempted hijacking which changed her attitude towards shooting – from merely a sport to her primary means of security and protection for her family.
Swanepoel says the state should have compulsory psychometric testing for people wanting to own a gun. The problem is the lack of manpower or resources to do so. Training can make the difference between life and death; according to Swanepoel, it decreases the reaction time. “If you can’t get to your firearm quickly, don’t bother – it will be too late,” she says.
She would not want to kill someone but is aware that it is important to cope mentally with the possibility that it could happen. “I have fortunately never had to shoot at anyone yet but if my life or my children’s lives are in danger I will do whatever it takes to protect us.” AdSle Kirsten, director for Gun Free South Africa, says: “Guns are anathema for the majority of South Africans.” She does not feel particularly vulnerable being a woman but says she believes guns are not the only option. Women have other alternatives for defending themselves – for example, martial arts.
But many other young women may feel that when surrounded by a number of attackers, a gun is a far more effective method of defence than any other. “I don’t intend killing them but if I shoot to defend myself, rather them than me,” explains Michelle Wizman (26), a marketing consultant who owns a Taurus .38 Special. The idea of a gun-free society is an appealing one, but most of these women are sceptical that it could happen in South Africa.
“What is the use of taking our guns away when there will still be lots of unlicensed guns around?” says Annetgie Opperman (43), a manageress. She suggests that the unlicensed guns should be confiscated first before restrictions are placed on the licensed owners.
According to Opperman: “The focus should be on a crime-free society, not a gun-free one.” * Name has been changed