Should Women Learn to Shoot Guns?

I have been teaching AZ CCW classes for a numberhandling a gun, and a few their spouse made them
of years with my husband and recently have noticedcome. For the most part, those that were terrified
more and more women coming to classes. So I havewhere raised thinking guns are evil and by what they
recently started having women's-only basic handgunsay on the news, not from personal experience.
classes. I really enjoy teaching these classes.I think folks are amazed when during class we teach
Because of my experience teaching these classes Ithat if you have a gun in your possession, you never
have come to the conclusion every women shouldget in another argument again! Especially, if you are
be a basic knowledge of guns and how to shoot.carrying a gun for self-defense.
Now, I realize there are a lot of women whoWhat I learned, is most woman have access to
absolutely do not want to shoot a gun and I respectfirearms. Usually it is a husband who has firearms for
that.hunting or shooting sports. So from a safety
I would like to state that I Hate violence! I am astandpoint women need to know how to safety
mother of two and a grandmother of 5. I was ahandle and store firearms.
nurse for many years. I was very active as an adultI today's environment, we never know when we
volunteer with the Girl Scouts for over 20 years andmaybe in the area or even face to face with some
I am a life member of the Girl Scouts.disgruntled individual with a gun. What happens when
About 25 years ago, I began going to shootingyou find yourself in a situation when you are terrified
matches with my husband and I have been shootingand you don't know how to handle it. You FREEZE!
ever since. I enjoy pistol and trap shooting. It is notI have found that just a basic understanding of
only the shooting that is fun, but I have meet sofirearms gives women knowledge to protect them.
many great people from all over the country andUnderstanding some basics such as reloading and
from different walks of life - women as well as men.simple movement has a defensive tactic may help
And none of these folks are violent. In all the yearsthem make better choices to keep themselves safe
of shooting at various shooting ranges, I have neverinstead of freezing without any options.
seen hot tempers. It just is not tolerated. There in noBy the end of the class, even those who flinched
alcohol allowed at the facilities and safety is numberwhen they shot for the first time, were doing great
one priority. In fact, statistics show that the shootingand, yes, even having a good time. You can definitely
sports are one of the safest sports there is.see the self confidence level increase dramatically.
First, I believe knowledge is power. I have hadMany of my students have continued on with the
women come to the class who have never handled ashooting sports and having a great time.
gun before, some where terrified of the prospect of