Letter to the Editor: ‘Mama bears’ explain opposition to gun bills

The Women’s Defense Coalition of Delaware and our members stand opposed to House Bill 450, House Bill 451 and Senate Bill 6.

Each of these bills has the ability to disarm thousands of women or turn them into felons for refusing to give up the one means of protection that provides them with an equal footing during an attack.

While lawmakers claim these anti-gun bills are about safety, we’d like to point out a few issues with their claim.

When Jan. 6 took place, Delaware’s anti-gun members of legislature immediately took action in evaluating the security for Legislative Hall. Rep. Pete Schwarzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, made it very clear the importance of enhancing security. Not once did he mention giving up their armed officers. Rather, he boasted the importance of more manpower:

Yet when Sen. Dave Lawson, R-Marydel, brought forth a school-security bill after Parkland, he said Sens. Jack Walsh, D-Stanton; Dave Sokola, D-Newark; and Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, refused to even let it out of committee despite a billion dollars in surplus.

Severe child abuse is increasing, and child killings and deaths due to abuse and neglect are up 40%. In the month of March 2022 alone, there were 10 children found near death and one already deceased upon intervention. These reports are provided to the legislature and governor quarterly. Where is the outcry for the safety of these children with fractured skulls, broken bones and starvation?

Reports show women are far more likely to be raped than become a victim of gun violence within the state of Delaware.

While 82%-90% of all victims of rape and sexual violence are women, Black women are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence. Unfortunately, there is an extensive history of failing to report due to fear of authorities, which hinges on the historical abuse of power by figures of authority.

The under-21 ban on possessing, controlling, purchasing or owning firearms and ammunition is extremely concerning when the most at-risk population for some of the most reprehensible violent crimes are women from the ages of 12-34, leaving adults between 18-21 defenseless before, during and after attacks. Mind you, beside every preteen and teen stands a mother willing to defend their baby.

Us mama bears are tired of waiting for a savior when we are completely capable of protecting ourselves and those we love. This was made absolutely clear when Angeli Gomez, a shining example of a true mama bear, ran into school and saved her children, while government agencies stood still.

As a firearms instructor, there is a saying I use often when teaching: “Our bodies cannot go where our minds have not been.”

Monsters do exist. To pretend they don’t only prevents us from preparing to counter them.

We aren’t the “gun nuts” they portray us to be. We love our children more than anything. We accept that there is evil in our world and the responsibility that comes with being equipped to save ourselves and those we love.

As lawmakers ram these bills through with zero regard to women’s safety, we want to be abundantly clear: Politicians are not our masters. WDC and its members stand ready to assist the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association with the challenge in the courts should these bills be signed into law.

Erin Chronister

Vice president, Women’s Defense Coalition of Delaware