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By SUSETTE RITENOUR
Rappahannock Newt Special Writer
No longer is Angie Dickinson, “the 70s Police Woman,” the only female packing a gun.
The rate of violence against women appears to be increasing each year and women are choosing among a large variety of weapons to use in defense.
At Clark Brothers Gun Shop in Opal, gun purchases by women have increased by 25 to 30 percent over the past four years, said owner John Clark.
Clark Brothers, a family-owned business since 1957, has several thousand customers pass through its doors each weekend. No longer is the shooting range in back of the store just for the man’s facination with weaponry or the local hunter’s hang out.
Women are taking rape, assault — and most recently — carjackings, seriously. Clark said women find that with a weapon, there is a certain kind of security.
‘There used to be a saying, ‘No matter what the strength or how large the size, my gun will equalize,’ ” said Clark.
He said the wave of inner-city violence that seems to be spreading into the suburbs, is at the root of the women’s growing fears.
Clark said he lets women know there’s an alternative to being a victim of crime. “So many women have given up on the idea of protecting themselves.” he said.
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