It seems to me that most people who have a gun for self protection often aren’t in a position to use it when they really need it. You’d have to carry it in an easily accessible holster on your body, which isn’t easy to do-shoulder holster, one where it fits in the small of your back, or maybe an ankle holster. None of these are comfortable when you aren’t accustomed to it. Putting it in your purse or even your glove box isn’t really handy. I am thinking that if he surprised her, a handgun wouldn’t have helped her.