I live in a city of 90,000 people. We have had 55 murders this year. 55. There are two months left to go before the end of the year. Some of these are gang related, some are children, and some are home invasions. The way I see it, if I am out in public, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. That's why I carry a knife in public, even though I have the permit to carry a concealed firearm. It's possible that I could, potentially misunderstand someone's intentions if I am outside of my home, or that I could shoot a bystander even if I had a reason to shoot. I wouldn't want that. At least in public, I have a chance of someone coming to my aid, be it a civilian or law enforcement.
In my home, that is a different story. If you enter my home without my permission, and do not heed a verbal warning, I will shoot. Period. There is no need to try to figure out someone's intentions, if they are in my home and I don't want them there. As far as hitting a bystander, I know that it could still happen, and it could be a member of my own family. But, at that point, my family is already in danger.
It's always a risk having a weapon in a house with children, but in my case, the kids would have to locate the gun safe, which is concealed, they would then have to locate the lock box with the ammo. They would then have to somehow get both boxes open, which means figuring out two combinations, and get the weapon put together in order to shoot themselves. I can do it in 43 seconds, (Yeah, I drill myself). My kids can't do it, and they don't get a chance, there is a lock on my bedroom door and they are not allowed in that room. My kids are not allowed toy guns or shooting games because I have taught them that guns are bad for kids, dangerous, not toys, they will hurt you, so on and so forth. It's possible to safely own a gun, even with kids.
HOWEVER, at the end of that little soapbox statement, I do have questions. Why should only women arm themselves? Are men never attacked in SC? I'm glad that the sheriff has the guts to say what he thinks, but it does disturb me a bit that the sheriff seems to be inciting a bit of a panic, by making the statements that women need to arm themselves. He's creating an "us against them" mindset, IMO. If it's what he really believes, why not suggest tht those that are able, regardless of gender, might want to consider arming themselves, to protect themselves, their families, and their vulnerable neighbors. And he should probably add on there something about gun safety and training, since those things should always go hand in hand with gun ownership.