Domestic violence in Iowa

Some truth revealed in this article"

But they also acknowledge that no document is powerful enough to bind abusers intent on causing harm or worse.

"It's a piece of paper," said Andrea Charlow, associate dean of Drake University Law School. "If someone is willing to come close enough to be a threat, the protective order is only as good as how fast the police can respond."

Survivors of abuse know threats loom

You may judge this:

Generally, victims' advocates recommend against getting a gun for protection.

"It's an option we don't really discuss," said Stark, of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "Things can backfire. If the batterer gets control of that weapon, then what happens? It's just a bad idea to bring a weapon into the situation."

And I didn't know Iowa registered gun owners

Lara O'Neal describes herself as a domestic abuse survivor rather than a victim. She is a registered gun owner, but the day her estranged husband attacked her at her mother's home, the gun was out of reach.

"I could get a conceal-and-carry permit, but it's not an end-all, be-all solution," she said.

(Hint: that would be no)

I would agree with her statement on carry permits, it isn't the end but rather the beginning. Training and the will to use it in the event an attacker would take your life or another. And the most powerful handgun in the world doesn't do one any good if it is out of reach.

I've advocated for training and carry for all women to protect themselves from the worst of society. Men too.