1. According to Hasselstrom, why does she carry a gun? In one sentence, summarize her rationale.
- She carries a gun for self-protection, which provides a personal measure of safety for her.
2. List the specific events that led to Hasselstrom to her decision to carry a gun.
-Living alone in a deserted area, being stopped on a bridge by 4 men, being harassed while camping with a friend, coming home one night when she thought that someone had been in her house.
3. Other than carrying a gun, what means of protecting herself did Hasseltrom try? Why did she find them unsatisfactory? Can you think of other strategies she could have adopted instead of carrying a gun?
-Deodorant spray cans (since mace was illegal), kung fu classes (would have to practice several hours a day to be good, and very good at self-defense).
-She was very careful about her surroundings, the only thing else I could think of would be getting a roommate or moving to a safer place.
4. Where is the essay does Hasseltrom express her reluctance to carry a gun?
-In paragraph 25 when she says that “the pacifist inside me will be saddened if the only way a woman can achieve equality is by carrying weapons.”
5. In paragraph 13, Hasselstrom says "gun possession might increase your danger-unless you know you can use it." Where else does she touch on the possible pitfalls of carrying a gun?
-In paragraph 26 "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
6. What does Hasselstrom mean when she says, "The pistol just changed the balance of power "(24)?
-That even though a man might be stronger then she is, she feels as strong as a man and more confident when she has her gun.
PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE
1. How does paragraph 1 establish Hasselstrom's purpose for writing this essay? What other purpose might she have?
-That she is a peaceful non-violent woman, but wants to justify why she carries a gun.
2. What purpose does paragraph 5 serve? Is it necessary?
-The