Calgary crime fuels jump in women buying guns
01.09.2008 10:02
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- Source: cbc.ca
The number of women buying guns and taking target practice at a Calgary business has jumped six-fold partly as a response to rising crime in the city, says the owner. J.R. Cox, owner of the Shooting Edge in southeast Calgary, said business has doubled in the last five years, while the percentage of his female clientele has jumped from five to 30 per cent. He said one of the reasons is a growing sense of fear as more crimes hit Calgary streets. "I'd like to say no, but the reality is yes. I mean we've seen many times that the police, they're always there after, I mean they're not there during the event," he said. Cori Van Der Leest said she bought a gun to protect herself after moving from Taber to Calgary a few years ago. "I'll warn you now I am not that good of a shot," says Van Der Leest as she loads her 9 mm handgun at the shooting range. "If something was to ever happen, then I know I have that back behind me," she said. "Not saying to use it but just in your mind that as long as you know you can shoot a gun, then you can pretty much handle anything." Cox says he knows police are doing their best to protect Calgarians, but he understands why a growing number of people are learning how to use a firearm. Sexual assault reported in southwest CalgaryOn Friday, police asked for public assistance in finding a man wanted in a sexual assault early that morning. They said a woman was walking through a grassy area west of Macleod Trail between 78th Avenue and Heritage Drive S.W. when a man briefly engaged her in conversation and then forced her to the ground. The man was described as Caucasian, about 30 to 35 years old, about 5-foot-10 with a medium build and short, brown hair. This month, police released surveillance photos of two men who jump-kicked a woman from behind and continued to kick her as she was on the ground. Police believe the attack, which occurred as the victim was leaving a downtown bar, was random. In July, police released a sketch of a man wanted in the sexual assault of a woman who was walking downtown early one morning. RelatedInternal LinksProvince rejects Calgary police funding requestCalgary police worried by spike in gun violenceSuspect photos released in downtown assaultSketch of attacker in downtown sexual assault releasedBeltline sexual assault suspect still at largeAudio Colleen Underwood reports: Calgary crime fuels jump in women buying guns (Runs: 1:14) Play: Real Media »Consumer HeadlinesB.C. death raises listeriosis outbreak toll to 9The nationwide outbreak of listeriosis is being blamed for a ninth death, the first outside Ontario, public health officials said Friday afternoon.Aviation industry slow to act on safety issues, investigators sayA decade after the Swissair Flight 111 crash off Nova Scotia that claimed 229 lives, the aviation industry has yet to act on recommendations stemming from one of lengthiest and most expensive air investigations in Canadian history.Calgary crime fuels jump in women buying gunsThe number of women buying guns and taking target practice at a Calgary business has jumped six-fold partly as a response to rising crime in the city, says the owner.Zoom's classic entrepreneur: some wins, a loss Hugh Boyle, a Scot transplated to Ottawa in 1998 where he began Zoom Airlines, has had successes and failures in the air travel business.GM recalls 944,000 vehicles with heated wiper fluid featureGeneral Motors is recalling 944,000 vehicles because of a problem with a heated windshield wiper fluid system that could lead to a fire. Consumer Life FeaturesIN DEPTHFood safetyFrequently asked questions about listeriaYOUR INTERVIEWBack to school tipsAn expert takes your questionsSAFETYRecalls and AdvisoriesYOUR INTERVIEWListeriosisDr. Allison McGeer takes questions on the outbreakBLOGFood BytesListeria hysteria?BLOGComm-OdditiesFarmer's winePeople who read this also read …
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