The themes are compared with official crime statistics and nationally representative survey data to determine the extent to which the media distort information on women's crime concerns and gun ownership. Data for the research were obtained from National Crime Surveys, General Social Surveys, the Uniform Crime Reports, and a content analysis of print media from 1989-93. Findings show that in the print media women's victimization is overstated, the criminal justice system is portrayed as unresponsive, and it is strongly suggested that a gun may be women's only chance for protection from criminals. This distorted view of women's victimization is disturbing for two reasons. First, by generalizing and exaggerating the picture of women's victimization, women may adopt prevention strategies that are ineffective and in some cases dangerous. Guns, for example, are not especially effective deterrents to crime, since most crimes occur in undeterrable situations. Moreover, by having a gun in the household, the chances for accidental deaths and injuries, successful suicide, and homicide increase. Second, a distorted view of crime and the criminal may result in women not being sensitized to the kinds of crime they are most likely to experience. The media most often portray the threat to women as primarily a stranger and a predator, but in fact women are most in danger from persons they know. Media distortions inhibit women's abilities to assess and understand the true nature of victimization and to develop effective prevention strategies. 5 figures and 67 references