The study also has the overarching purpose of serving as a resource and catalyst to increase the involvement of women and advocacy organizations in the firearms violence debate. Section One reviews the marketing campaigns of the firearms industry and analyzes recruitment efforts aimed at women by pro-gun organization. It focuses on the industry's use of common myths concerning violence against women in an effort to increase product demand through fear. Section Two explores four of the most common myths about violence against women that permeate firearms advertising and outreach efforts. Issues discussed include stranger rape, firearms homicide and its relation to domestic violence, firearms suicide, and the effectiveness of firearms in self-defense. Section Three offers addenda covering such topics as the use of women in firearms advertising aimed at men; a listing of companies and organizations on both sides of the debate; charts detailing female firearm homicide and suicide rates, as well as the leading causes of death for young women; and a bibliography with selected readings. The study concludes that the belief that the mere possession of a firearm, usually a handgun, guarantees security and personal empowerment has long been a fixture of male mythology in American culture. Recent efforts to present this myth to women constitute a real problem that makes matters worse, not better. A 42-item bibliography and 65 notes