Nathaniel Firethorn
August 7, 2003, 05:45 PM
Princeton Packet:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9952204&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425695&rfi=6
Shotgun starter
By: Gwen McNamara , Staff Writer 08/05/2003
Staff photo by Gwen McNamara
Sharon Roessle gets instruction on the shotgun from Sam Zimmerman at Women's Day on Saturday. In the background is club member Scott Monsees.
Women warm to firearms at Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club.
WEST WINDSOR — Annie Oakley would have been proud.
Nearly 50 women from as far away as New York and Pennsylvania came out to the Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club's fourth-annual Women's Day at the Range on Saturday.
The free event took place at the club's 13-acre facility on Princeton-Hightstown Road and was intended to give the women a chance to learn about firearms in a nonthreatening, friendly environment.
"We want to show women you don't have to be 6-foot tall and weigh 200 pounds to handle firearms safely and successfully," said Carol Katona, club president. "This day is really a community service. Many women say they hate guns and would never have one, but when they get to learn about them and safely handle them they find out guns really aren't that bad."
The day started out in the classroom with lessons on three types of firearms by National Rifle Association certified instructors before the women got to actually try their hands at shooting handguns, rifles and shotguns.
"Knowledge is key," said Jeannine Czech, who recently joined the Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club. "With a day like this you can really expand your understanding and get to know what you're doing."
"Everyone gets hands-on experience and can feel comfortable asking even the silliest question," added Ashley Bohem, a member of the club's Juniors Program and, at about 11, the youngest person there.
At each location, whether at the indoor rifle range or outside shooting handgun or shotgun, instructors stressed safety first. Rules such as "always point the weapon in a safe direction" and "always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot" were repeated often.
"Firearms are not something to be afraid of, but they do need to be treated with respect," said Dave Williams, a rifle instructor.
A wide variety of women attended Saturday's event. Some had experience with guns, others did not. Some were young, others older. Some came with friends, others with relatives or alone.
One politician, Catherine Barrier, who is running on the Republican ticket in the 17th Legislative District for state Assembly, even came out.
"Guns and firearms are very controversial," she said. "And I could take the party line, but I feel the only way I can take a position about them is to have a real understanding and get first-hand experience to know what I'm dealing with."
Most women said they decided to learn more about guns because of a family member's interest.
"My 13-year-old daughter started shooting last year for the Falls Township Rifle and Pistol Team," said Carol Wright. "I thought I'd better learn more."
"My dad is interested in joining a club and I figured he'd need a pal," said Jennifer Perone, a Hamilton resident. "So I thought this would be the perfect chance to learn."
Interest in firearms is increasing not only for personal protection but also for simple enjoyment, Ms. Katona said.
"Our club, for instance, has changed dramatically," she said. "When I first got involved the membership was basically male and there were about 100 members or so.
"Today we have over 300 members, of which about 45 to 50 are female," she continued. "What I find is really interesting is that we see more couples shooting together and whole families joining clubs is a new phenomena."
Ms. Katona, the first female president of the Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club, has served in the post for 10 years. She served as secretary for the previous 10 years.
"I never shot a gun before 21 years ago," she said. "I took a safety class and found shooting was fun and I was good at it. Since then I've become a certified instructor and club president and I've competed shoulder to shoulder with men. Women need to know there's no limit to what they can do and do well."
The Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Guests are welcome. The club will be holding an Open House and Family Fun Shoot from noon till dusk Oct. 26 and Nov. 2.
To learn more, contact the Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club at (609) 799-9890.
- pdmoderator
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9952204&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425695&rfi=6
Shotgun starter
By: Gwen McNamara , Staff Writer 08/05/2003
Staff photo by Gwen McNamara
Sharon Roessle gets instruction on the shotgun from Sam Zimmerman at Women's Day on Saturday. In the background is club member Scott Monsees.
Women warm to firearms at Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club.
WEST WINDSOR — Annie Oakley would have been proud.
Nearly 50 women from as far away as New York and Pennsylvania came out to the Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club's fourth-annual Women's Day at the Range on Saturday.
The free event took place at the club's 13-acre facility on Princeton-Hightstown Road and was intended to give the women a chance to learn about firearms in a nonthreatening, friendly environment.
"We want to show women you don't have to be 6-foot tall and weigh 200 pounds to handle firearms safely and successfully," said Carol Katona, club president. "This day is really a community service. Many women say they hate guns and would never have one, but when they get to learn about them and safely handle them they find out guns really aren't that bad."
The day started out in the classroom with lessons on three types of firearms by National Rifle Association certified instructors before the women got to actually try their hands at shooting handguns, rifles and shotguns.
"Knowledge is key," said Jeannine Czech, who recently joined the Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club. "With a day like this you can really expand your understanding and get to know what you're doing."
"Everyone gets hands-on experience and can feel comfortable asking even the silliest question," added Ashley Bohem, a member of the club's Juniors Program and, at about 11, the youngest person there.
At each location, whether at the indoor rifle range or outside shooting handgun or shotgun, instructors stressed safety first. Rules such as "always point the weapon in a safe direction" and "always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot" were repeated often.
"Firearms are not something to be afraid of, but they do need to be treated with respect," said Dave Williams, a rifle instructor.
A wide variety of women attended Saturday's event. Some had experience with guns, others did not. Some were young, others older. Some came with friends, others with relatives or alone.
One politician, Catherine Barrier, who is running on the Republican ticket in the 17th Legislative District for state Assembly, even came out.
"Guns and firearms are very controversial," she said. "And I could take the party line, but I feel the only way I can take a position about them is to have a real understanding and get first-hand experience to know what I'm dealing with."
Most women said they decided to learn more about guns because of a family member's interest.
"My 13-year-old daughter started shooting last year for the Falls Township Rifle and Pistol Team," said Carol Wright. "I thought I'd better learn more."
"My dad is interested in joining a club and I figured he'd need a pal," said Jennifer Perone, a Hamilton resident. "So I thought this would be the perfect chance to learn."
Interest in firearms is increasing not only for personal protection but also for simple enjoyment, Ms. Katona said.
"Our club, for instance, has changed dramatically," she said. "When I first got involved the membership was basically male and there were about 100 members or so.
"Today we have over 300 members, of which about 45 to 50 are female," she continued. "What I find is really interesting is that we see more couples shooting together and whole families joining clubs is a new phenomena."
Ms. Katona, the first female president of the Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club, has served in the post for 10 years. She served as secretary for the previous 10 years.
"I never shot a gun before 21 years ago," she said. "I took a safety class and found shooting was fun and I was good at it. Since then I've become a certified instructor and club president and I've competed shoulder to shoulder with men. Women need to know there's no limit to what they can do and do well."
The Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Guests are welcome. The club will be holding an Open House and Family Fun Shoot from noon till dusk Oct. 26 and Nov. 2.
To learn more, contact the Citizens Rifle and Revolver Club at (609) 799-9890.
- pdmoderator