Good grief! A 1910 story can't justify the gun violence

plagued the US today.   

I don't think the person who cited the Girl of the Golden West example told the whole story.  It is hard to imagine that a young lady holding a 1910 version or optimally a 1903 Springfield rifle could fend off the armed mobs without some sort of miracle.  My guess is The mob had no intention to take her down in the first place.    

A single person, armed or not, stands no chance against state power.