As you can imagine, we here at Twitchy follow a lot of people on Twitter, and a lot of the people we follow are women who are proud gun owners. You might think that the gun could be a great equalizer between a petite woman and a large man who’d do her harm, but then you might not have read this hot take the other day from Shailja Patel, who writes for the Guardian and the BBC News, among others.

You see, if you carry a gun to protect against rapists, you’re not reducing rape … unless, of course, the guy tries something and you blow him away with your handgun. Then you’ve stopped a rape and very possibly many more rapes that would have occurred in the future had this dirtbag gotten away with it.

Oh wait, we’re talking nonsense. If you carry a weapon to defend against rape, you’re just pointing a neon sign at some poor woman who’s not armed, duh.

When you tell women and girls to learn self-defense, or carry weapons against rapists, you're not reducing rape. You're just saying "let him rape someone more vulnerable." Stop calling for dystopias. Start working to end patriarchy. Make a world BEYOND RAPE. #Uyinene — Shailja Patel (@shailjapatel) September 3, 2019

Wait, this goes on a bit.

Patriarchy wants us to believe that rape has always existed and always will. That rape is intrinsic to masculinity. This myth serves patriarchy by transferring all consequences of rape, including shame and blame, onto victims. Patriarchy stays unaccountable.#UyineneMrwetyana — Shailja Patel (@shailjapatel) September 3, 2019

Rape culture is how patriarchy sustains the hegemonic myth that rape is a given, an unchangeable condition, of all human societies. So men never have to hold themselves or other men accountable. Rape is a women's issue.#Uyinene — Shailja Patel (@shailjapatel) September 3, 2019

So is self-defense. We hear shooting rapists is a great way to cut down on rape culture. But sorry, we interrupted.

Rape serves patriarchy by keeping all women scared, ashamed, scrambling for a non-existent safety, and available to men on the most unequal of terms. Patriarchy tells women their best hope of survival lies in being chosen by powerful men who'll protect them.#Uyinene — Shailja Patel (@shailjapatel) September 3, 2019

You know what doesn’t keep a woman scared, ashamed, and scrambling for non-existent safety? Owning a firearm and knowing how to use it.

No, we don’t get it.

Yes, ladies, put your guns away and let the rapist have at it, so that he won't seek to rape someone more vulnerable. That is the most ridiculous and lame thing I have ever heard, in my entire life. https://t.co/3dm9UStMy2 — BayAreaFrau (@bayareahausfrau) September 5, 2019

I'm old enough to remember when @TheDemocrats in Colorado said that gals should pee on themselves to deter rapists.@shailjapatel — Tom (@BoreGuru) September 5, 2019

She won't dare say that face to face to rape victims. It's just more leftist "messaging." — Tera Flop (@teraflopclub) September 5, 2019

Honey, you have no idea of which you speak…zero — gillian (@gillianbdoll) September 5, 2019

This is a weird way to admit that unarmed people are soft targets. — Jake (@Chestys_Ghost) September 5, 2019

Top 5 dumbest things I’ve ever heard easily, probably top 3. — Politically Nomadic Cat (@KittehDark) September 5, 2019

Not rape, just "forced pleasurable encounters" by future "justice-involved persons". These are the people that want to be in charge of our well being once they take our guns. ??‍♂️ — You've Got to Be Kidding Me ? (@SpencerAnglin) September 4, 2019

Oh, sorry, we’d forgotten that San Francisco is pushing to re-brand “convicted felons” as “justice-involved persons” and do away with negative terms like “offender” and “addict.”

Imagine if we lived in a free society, where EVERYONE had the right to keep and bear arms, and there were no victims left… — Little-Known Blogger (@L_K_Blogger) September 5, 2019

Fighting patriarchy/rape culture and learning self-defense are not mutually exclusive. — Kofoworola Oni'gba'yun. (@Blakkoffee) September 3, 2019

Be realistic 4 once. Stop dreaming. Why not do both. U know it won't be beyond rape tomorrow, 5 yrs, 10yrs or 20 yrs 4rm now. Meanwhile they can be defending themselves and their friends. — Weldon (@kipweldone) September 3, 2019

This is an awful take that is in no way rooted in reality. You’re actually doing a disservice by suggesting it. — DanCamm (@Dan_Camm) September 5, 2019

I teach women's self defense. Your tweet is going to be a framed poster on the wall of my school. I'm also going to start classes with, "who's ready for some dysTOPIAAAA!" — Darrel Harb (@HARBDARREL) September 5, 2019

Sign us up!

And in the meanwhile, just go ahead and be a victim though. — Breckenridge Elkins (@bjr1031) September 5, 2019

Holy shit, this is at the top of the list for dumbest thing I've ever heard. — PLEB ?? (@HuMbLe_StOiC) September 5, 2019

I agree with your statement but I disagree with not learning to protect ourselves. Until rape is dealt with which can take generations we have to take action as well. Women can also participate in their safety — Olivia Honey (@LolaHoneyBuns) September 3, 2019

You can't get more ridiculous than this. — VR Sampath (@VRSampath) September 4, 2019

Blaming a woman who knows self defense or is armed for another's rape? — Rebel Rae (@RebelRae13) September 5, 2019

I don’t think that’s a fair assessment. It’s a bit like saying if you install a security system on your house that you’re telling burglars to rob someone else. — upstartrising (@upstart_rising) September 3, 2019

When I lock the doors to my house at night I’m not actually reducing crime, i’m just making them rob someone more vulnerable… — Chuck Davis (@ChuckD1791) September 5, 2019

I was feeling dumb today, but then I saw your tweet, thanks — Franco (@Franco_Rocco_) September 5, 2019

Are you kidding? pic.twitter.com/uJ8S8Bc5LM — Bobbi Jo Woöds (@beejereeno) September 5, 2019

No…. What people are saying TO RAPISTS is that they should be SHOT and likely killed and that NO ONE will have sympathy for them if they meet that outcome…. There is literally no message more antirape than "you should die simply for attempting it"… You WALNUT. — Sasha (@KittyBatSeth) September 4, 2019

Ps…. Since that self defense training includes CONCEALED FIREARMS ownership… There is additionally NO ONE who is in any way identifiable as "more vulnerable" as ANYONE in public could be armed and willing to defend themselves and/or others…. No "safe place" FOR RAPISTS. — Sasha (@KittyBatSeth) September 4, 2019

And mic drop.

Related: