South Carolina Sheriff Encourages Women to Carry Guns For Protection

A county sheriff in South Carolina is urging women to get concealed weapons permits and carry guns for protection, following a recent attempted rape of a lone woman in a local park.

During a press conference about the thwarted attack on Monday, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright suggested a .45-caliber weapon would be appropriate for many women since, you don't have to be accurate, you just have to be close to a target, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reports.

He then showed reporters a fanny pack that he said women could use to carry a handgun while jogging.

Carrying a gun is more effective than mace or pepper spray, said Wright. He also encouraged women to walk or job in groups to reduce the chance of an attack.

I don't want you to go for the mace; I want you to go for the concealed weapons permit. Gun control to me is when you can get your barrel back on the target quick, said Wright.

Walter Monroe Lance of Spartanburg was charged with kidnapping, first-degree criminal sexual conduct and grand larceny on Monday in connection with the assault of a woman at Milliken Park on Sunday.

Wright said Lance was lucky that someone with a concealed weapons permit didn't hear the victim's cries for help and put the animal down themselves.

Every state except for Illinois have passed laws allowing citizens to carry certain concealed firearms in public, either with or without a permit.

Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming allow residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.