A Gun against Gang Rape: The $2,000 Nirbheek

It’s not easy being an Indian woman: “LUCKNOW: Giving more power to women to defend themselves and as a tribute to December 2012 gang rape victim Nirbhaya, the Indian Ordnance Factory, Kanpur, has manufactured Nirbheek, a .32 bore light weight revolver, India’s first firearm designed for women. At 500 grams, it is also the first IOF handgun made of titanium alloy. “
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nirbheek-Indias-first-gun-for-women/articleshow/28607959.cms

In America something like that might cost you less than $300, but things are a little bit different in India:

“Rs. 1,22,360 works out to about $2,000 — not exactly chump change even in America let alone in a country where average per capita income (adjusted for purchasing power parity) is about $3,650. Hence, it is unlikely that too many women of Nirbhaya’s social standing — her father was a loader for an airline company — will rush to the gun store to arm themselves.”
Source: http://reason.com/blog/2014/01/10/guns-to-the-rescue-of-indian-women

Nirbheek, which launched on January 6, has already gotten 80 inquiries and 20 bookings:

“At least 80% bookings are from women licensees,” says Abdul Hameed, general manager of IOF. 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 handbag.
Source: http://reason.com/blog/2014/01/10/guns-to-the-rescue-of-indian-women

Now my only criticism of Reason.com is why did they use this picture in their story:

Come on, Reason, you can do better than that.

Now if you’re wondering why is an American blog writing about India, the reason is simple. I believe that our values should be exported and promoted overseas, the 2nd Amendment, Capitalism, individualism, these are all good attributes and instead of apologizing for them, I rather defend them.
Indians have suffered under gun control and corruption, I welcome them keeping and bearing arms.