Do you know the story of Lozen?
Lozen was an indigenous Apache woman who fought against Mexican and American militaries for more than 30 years. Geronimo trusted her, as did her brother, Chief Victorio.
Her brother called her his right hand.
Lozen rode horses, she carried her rifle and she was known as a shaman who used her powers in battle. Her ability to know the movement of the enemy and to move undetected added to her legend.
An Apache man who knew Lozen, James Kaywaykla, said of her,
“I saw a magnificent woman on a beautiful horse — Lozen, sister of Victorio. Lozen the woman warrior! High above her head she held her rifle. There was a glitter as her right foot lifted and struck the shoulder of her horse. He reared, then plunged into the torrent. She turned his head upstream, and he began swimming.”
Women have always risen to the occasion when necessary to defend themselves and their communities. Lozen seems extraordinary, but sometimes it only takes an ordinary person to do something that seems remarkable because it is bold and flies in the face of expectations.
That includes fighting when you’re not expected to fight.
As the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees that “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed,” women can and should explore the options guaranteed to them by this nation.
As we are in precarious political times, and with women’s rights and protections increasingly under attack, women should gather every tool available to protect themselves and their communities.
In Kentucky, Senate Bill 150 says, “Persons age twenty-one (21) or older, and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm, may carry concealed firearms or other concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same locations as persons with valid licenses issued under KRS 237.110.”
It does not apply to other states as their laws may differ. So technically, women don’t need a conceal and carry license in Kentucky but, it doesn’t hurt to apply. Just to cover your bases.
In Indiana, the law is essentially identical except for persons 18 and over. Wild, right? But some of us have teenage daughters moving out into the world. In Indiana you can still apply for a license as well, including a lifetime option. The only requirement in Indiana is fingerprints. In Kentucky, there may be some firearm training involved.
All women should apply. It is a visible action toward protecting yourself if the need arises for you to use deadly force for some reason.
I am not advocating for all women to have guns, but all women need to understand the law and how they can access their Second Amendment right should they need a gun or any other deadly weapon.
There are plenty of non-lethal items for protection: mace, pepper sprays, pellet guns, etc. If you are interested in understanding more, former Louisville Metro Police Department officer-turned-beekeeper Mike Arterburn dedicates much (not all) of his social media to giving people tips on self-defense and protection. He’s got over 2 million followers on TikTok and years of experience and training. Follow him at Killer Bee Tactical on TikTok.
Times are uncertain and as hardships increase, crimes often do. And, as choices for women to protect their bodies have shrunk in this country, the protection and defense of our bodies may fall into our own hands in more visceral ways. We may, in some ways, have to become people that we don’t like but when our bodies, our children, our communities come under threat, we have to be ready to defend them.
Perhaps Lozen didn’t want to spend a life fighting, but her community was under pretty constant threat so she did what was necessary, including strapping herself with a weapon.
Since the election of Donald Trump to a second term, many women have asked, “What am I going to do?” Fearing an overbearing government and laws that do not protect women, they may feel that their options are limited in ways to secure themselves and to survive the regime that Trump is assembling.
It is imperative for women, in particular, to know our rights and exercise them for our safety. Considering that men keep making looser and looser gun laws, it might be a real shock when scores of women learn how to use those guns and become licensed to carry them.
There are organizations like Armed Women of America that can help connect women with other women exploring their second amendment rights.
Don’t feel helpless. Study the warrior women, and if the need arises, strap up, sisters.
This op-ed was originally published by CityBeat’s sister paper LEO Weekly and is republished here with permission.
This article appears in Nov 13-26, 2024.