For the past few years I have increasingly come to realize how vulnerable we all are to crime and criminals. It has become ever more apparent that if a person is in trouble, the police probably won't arrive in time. They will only be able to come and clean up the crime scene, try to solve the crime, and attempt to bring the perpetrator to justice. Even that is too often unlikely, i.e., with an ineffective justice system that fails to protect us from dangerous criminals who go through a revolving prison door.

My reason for mentioning this is simple. Libertarianism is really about taking responsibility for oneself, including responsibility for one's self-protection. I have also come to believe that if we want to keep and preserve the right to keep and bear arms, we should exercise that Constitutional right.

I started by taking a handgun safety course which included a session at a shooting range. Then I started going to a local shooting range and tried out various handguns. I have to admit that my first experiences were somewhat intimidating and that I have a love/hate relationship with guns, i.e., I want to be able to shoot but I'm not sure how much I like to. But, ultimately, I want to get a license to carry a handgun for self-defense. I came across a helpful article In the February 1997 issue of Women & Guns by Lyn Bates entitled ''Your First Time Carrying A Gun'' and would recommend that anyone deciding to follow the path to armed self-defense read it. In fact, Women & Guns is a good read for any woman (maybe for men, too — my husband reads it!) who wants to know more about guns and related issues.

It is interesting to note that oftentimes those who decry violence against women also advocate gun control. They don't seem to realize that a woman who is capable of protecting herself is less likely to become a victim of crime and that the greatest equalizer for a woman is a gun. If we want to stop violence against women, then women should be taught how to defend themselves and accept responsibility for their safety and well-being. (Note: For the real story on bogus statistics in relation to women's issues, I recommend Christina Hoff Sommers' book, Who Stole Feminism?)

The positive aspects of concealed carry of handguns in deterring crime are reinforced by a study conducted by Professor John Lott of the University of Chicago Law School and David Mustard, a graduate student of economics there. The study indicates that states which adopted ''shall issue'' laws permitting citizens to carry concealed handguns have seen significant reductions in crime rates: Murders, down 8.5%; rapes, down 5%; aggravated assaults, down 7%; robberies, down 3%. This comprehensive study covered the years 1977 through 1992 and was based on FBI crime statistics for all 3054 American counties. These reductions of crime rates were even more significant for women, i.e., as Mr. Lott stated: ''. . . an additional woman carrying a concealed handgun reduces the murder rate for women by about three to four times more than an additional armed man reduces the murder rate for men.'' All the more reason to take steps to protect oneself.

I have become even more committed to my support of the Second Amendment and, as I acquire more knowledge and experience, I wonder why more women and men—- particularly libertarians—-don't take on this responsibility. As Libertarians, we make a pledge against the initiation of force to achieve our goals, and I fully support that pledge. But I also believe I must be prepared to defend myself and my family against deadly force by society's criminals while, at the same time, protecting a Constitutional right.