help with suggesting self-protection

[Mikel]

A certain lady that is related to me doesn't want to carry protection. The subject is changed when it comes up. I've bought her a carry weapon, offered training, offered to pay someone else to train her, bought her pepper spray (that she keeps deep inside of her purse and couldn't find it if a would-be attacker gave her a 3 minute head-start)
I am frustrated with the situation. She totes my kids around quite often. Are there any recommendations, shared stories of getting someone you know to actually listen, videos, or anything else that might help me to help her see the light that you guys might recommend?

[KRM45]

Interesting dilema... I see why you would want her to be able to protect herself, but I don't think someone should carry a gun if they don't want to.

I don't have any advice, other than perhaps pray about it.

[CompVest]

I don't have any advice, other than perhaps pray about it.

That is the right answer.

Unfortunately it generally takes a life changing event to get an aware person out of an ostrich type person! With any luck the event is something that happens or almost happens to someone else. It has been my life long experience that people don't change their minds or their ways just because it makes sense to change.

If she hasn't any interest in personal defense tools perhaps you should try encouraging her to take some awareness training.

[rm9792]

Some people just cant be convinced of their need for self defense. I definitely wouldnt push her to carry anything, even pepper spray, that she isnt 100% committed to use. Likely to hesitate and get used on her instead. I pointed out other things to girl I was dating that changed her mind. She like to walk a lot of places and I told her about things like dog attacks and such and she thought better about carrying and getting her license. You might start small like pepper for dogs and move up steadily to full blown pistol carry and having to shoot to stop.

[Oldgringo]

If you're deeply concerned and she is in denial about the need for self-preservation/protection, perhaps she doesn't need to tote your kids around so often.

[Mikel]

If you're deeply concerned and she is in denial about the need for self-preservation/protection, perhaps she doesn't need to tote your kids around so often.

well that would be kind of impossible as we're VERY closely related.

I don't want her to do something she doesn't want to do. Just can't seem to encourage her to protect herself.

[Zee]

I often hear "faith" being the reason not to actively prep for something. What can you say to that?

[MadMonkey]

I often hear "faith" being the reason not to actively prep for something. What can you say to that?

I believe God gave some people brains so that they can become doctors and patch me up when I'm sick... I find it much easier to have faith that an operation can be successful than to have faith that I can be healed instantly of a broken leg.

Same with concealed carry. I find it immensely easier to have faith in God's protection when I'm using the brain He gave me by carrying a gun

[buffalo_speedway_tx]

I agree with KRM45. If you have offered to give her training either by yourself or someone else then there is not much more you can do. I suspect that the more pressure she feels under the more she will back away from it. Perhaps just an offer to go and shoot with you without any expectation she is going to carry. I am not suggesting a "lesson" but some "together time". I would make sure she understands your desire for her to carry is out of your concern for her welfare and your kids. Just my opinion. I hope that this works out for you in the future.

[Oldgringo]

I often hear "faith" being the reason not to actively prep for something. What can you say to that?

I believe God gave some people brains so that they can become doctors and patch me up when I'm sick... I find it much easier to have faith that an operation can be successful than to have faith that I can be healed instantly of a broken leg.

Same with concealed carry. I find it immensely easier to have faith in God's protection when I'm using the brain He gave me by carrying a gun

Same goes with seat belts, inflatable life preservers, parachutes, etc., etc.

[Zee]

I see faith as working side-by-side common sense also. Even the Popemobil has bullet-proof glass.

[budroux2w]

I have heard the faith thing come up as well, however I have heard a smart responce to that. There are a lot of things that you're not supposed to do in any faith, but if you're going to do it to save your own life, then it's ok. I.E. your not supposed to do harm to your own body (no cutting yourself) yet it's ok if a Dr has to in order to save your life. The way I see it, if it's my time to go I'll have a miss-fire, if it's not, I won't.

[chartreuse]

I often hear "faith" being the reason not to actively prep for something. What can you say to that?

I believe God gave some people brains so that they can become doctors and patch me up when I'm sick... I find it much easier to have faith that an operation can be successful than to have faith that I can be healed instantly of a broken leg.

Same with concealed carry. I find it immensely easier to have faith in God's protection when I'm using the brain He gave me by carrying a gun

The Lord helps those who help themselves, as my Grandad used to say.

[TxSigp229]

The best you can do is offer wisdom. What they do with it is up to them.

Some people need a slap of reality before they decide to do something about it. Those that never get the hint need not add their genes to the gene pool.

[The Annoyed Man]

I often hear "faith" being the reason not to actively prep for something. What can you say to that?

Whoever is telling you that is a fool. People who are mature in their faith recognize that God can use a variety of agencies, from His own direct miraculous intervention, to sending an angel or another person to be the agent of the believer's deliverance from danger. God may also choose to equip and use the believer to be his/her own agent of deliverance in extremis.

Pastors prepare for pastoring through prayer... ...and going to divinity school.
Doctors with faith prepare for their careers through prayer... ...and going to medical school.
Lawyers with faith prepare for their careers through prayer... ...and going to law school.

I accept that God may deliver me from danger through His own divine agency or through the agency of an angel or third party. But I also accept that He may call on me to be the agent of my own deliverance. THEREFORE, I prepare for the possibility of danger by A) prayer for safety and for His divine intervention if confronted with danger; and B) by having a CHL and carrying a .45 caliber pistol in the event that He calls on me to be the agent of my own deliverance from danger.