A noted publicationrecently reported that a large number of women in New Delhi have begun to applyfor firearm licenses. Until recently, men dominated the statistics and womenapplied for gun licenses after citing the inheritance clause. The changingpattern in gun ownership could be due to increasing reports of violence andcrime directed against women on the unsafe streets of Delhi. Guns areincreasingly being seen as the weapon of choice by those who venture out in thenight and also in high-crime prone areas.
This doesn't mean it is easy to purchase guns in India. Menor women, applicants need to go through red tape and bureaucracy in order toget the licenses and 'knowing' higher ups always helps the applicant to get thelicense faster.
Nilima Chauhan, a senior manager who travels to Gurgaonalone at night for work finds owning a gun license intriguing. "The recenttrend of women applying for gun licenses tempts people like me to apply aswell. At the end of the day, I choose not to, as it is always easier to pullthe trigger when you have a weapon in your hand. That trigger may be anaggressive man who could otherwise have been handled with a pepper spray or atiny metallic club. No matter how dangerous our streets might seem, I would notlike to carry a gun".
This sentiment is echoed by city psychiatrist Dr. VishalDhiman as well. "Possessing a gun has not proven to avert crimes and as wewitness more gun related deaths in the United States, we need to understandthat possessing a gun makes it easier to take decisions impulsively that maycause tragic deaths. Assertiveness training and martial arts are certainlybetter alternatives to guns, when it comes to self defense."
Sonia, daughter of a local businessman who did not want tobe identified by her last name, begged to differ. "Carrying a gun boostsmy confidence and I feel courageous to walk on the streets. It is always goodto know that the life of your assailant is in your hands".
In India, gun licenses are mostly sought by wealthyindividuals who sometimes consider weapons as status symbols. Men or women,those who possess guns have the capability to cause both intentional andaccidental deaths. However police officers who issue the licenses must carryout thorough background checks and request psychological profiles ofapplicants.
