As far as being paranoid, however, I take a different view. I don't know the stats for men, but I do know that one in four women will be a victim of violence at some point in her life. 1 in 4 women means that I know a lot of these women, and we are not in a bad part of town, nor do we run with questionable characters.
1 in ten to twenty men is a sex offender. That means that I probably know one or more sex offenders personally, I just don't know it. (Did that make sense?) I believe that the odds of being made a victim are higher for me than the odds of my house catching fire or for needing major medical care due to an auto accident. I see my CHL as preparedness, not paranoia.
As far as learning self-defense, I've been told by many (but particularly a martial arts instructor), that I probably wouldn't not be able to overcome an attacker, simply because I am not a very large person. He recommended that I learn a few key moves to free myself and keep up with my target practicing incase my attacker won't back off.
As for the reasons I took so long to get my CHL, much of it was laziness. I must say, however, that for many years, I could not have afforded it. The cost wasn't a burden to me this year, but during my college years, it would have been impossible. I spent a total of $210 between my class, fingerprints, pictures, and fees to the state. I understand the necessity of paying for the first three, but I think the state's fees are excessive. Other states aren't asking that much.
surprise for them.
