Women guns

Igros Moshe (OC IV 75.3)  Question Can women carry guns in those Israeli settlments close to Arab who hate Jews or is it prohibited as being male items being used by women? Answer It would seem clearly appropriate in this life threatening situation to carry a pistol. However if the Arabs are afraid of Jews and it is not viewed as life threatening or it is possible to travel safely in Israeli controlled areas or it is possible to be accompanied by an armed escort perhaps not, Nevertheless since it is difficult for them to act differently then what is considered normal it can be permitted since it clearly serves a purpose other than decoration and it is not for going to war.