India Unveils Handgun For Women After Much-Publicized Rapes
There's been a steady stream of stories over the past year about the rape of women in India. Now, Indian officials have unveiled a gun they say women can use to protect themselves.
The .32-caliber revolver is named Nirbheek, for the victim of the Dec. 16, 2012, gang rape aboard a bus in New Delhi. Indian law forbids the identification of rape victims, and the Indian media called her "Nirbhaya," which means fearless.
"After the gangrape incident, our researchers were working on a revolver which is very light and can be carried by women in their purses or small handbags," Abdul Hamid, the general manager of the Indian Ordnance Factory in Kanpur, told the semi-official Press Trust of India news agency.
Hamid told media there have already been 20 orders for the lightweight weapon that's made of titanium alloy. He said the gun, which will be delivered in a special ornamental box, will also be sold to men. Here's how The Times of India reported on it:
"Described by arms experts as an Indian hybrid of a Webley & Scott and Smith & Wesson, for its simple mechanism and light frame, it is the smallest revolver made in India — an ideal to fit a purse or a small hand bag."