Women and guns

[Tarminator]

coverage of an NRA Women on Target event in N.C.
check out the photo gallery that goes with it.

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/outdoors/

 

[hso]

Definitely what we want to see more of.

Nice article on the event.

Getting a grip on guns
Clinic helps women learn to shoot firearms, 'empowering' some of the participants
Mike Zlotnicki - Staff Writer
Published: Thu, Apr. 16, 2009 12:30AM
Modified Thu, Apr. 16, 2009 07:07AM


CREEDMOOR -- Martie Schulte stood on a picnic table bench, addressing a diverse group of women on a recent Sunday morning. The women listened intently as Schulte explained the day's proceedings. Part of their rapt attention might have been Schulte's amiable stage presence. Part of it might have been the Springfield XDM 9mm pistol in a holster on her hip.

Schulte was the program director for the National Rifle Association's Women On Target event held at Sir Walter Gun Club in Creedmoor. The 48 women, from Winston-Salem to Wilmington, had come for an introduction (or reacquaintance) with firearms and target shooting.

"I'd like to thank the Sir Walter Gun Club for hosting and Mother Nature for the beautiful weather," said Schulte, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Staff Photos by John Rottet - Lisa Williams of Oxford fires an AR-15 rifle as instructor Rachel Jones observes during the Women on Target clinic at the Sir Walter Gun Club.
Buy Photo
CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

*
*
*

Related Content

* Photo gallery: Clinic helps women learn to shoot

More Outdoors

* Getting a grip on guns
* Herring's return a treat
* Planking adds flavor to fish
* From the field
* Pack of fishermen enjoy day
* Don't Miss: Roanoke River Partners paddle days

Women on Target started in 1999, and in 2008 more than 7,000 women participated in 240 clinics nationally, said Rosemary Herr, manager of NRA women's programs. Since the program's inception, more than 40,000 have participated. A fee of $25 included lunch, ammunition, a visor and other items.

After testing for left- or right-eye dominance, the women, dressed shooting chic in jeans or sweats, split up into four groups of 12 designated by a color and headed to one of five stations: pistol (.22 revolver and autoloader), cowboy action (shotguns, revolvers and rifles of the late 1800s), high power (military-style autoloaders in .223) and skeet, for which light autoloading shotguns in 20 and 28 gauge and .410 bore were used.

The blue group split in two, with half at .22 pistol and half at cowboy action.

"Who wants to go first?" Schulte asked after explaining the workings of the Ruger Mark II pistol.

"Not me," said Lesley Kline of Clayton.

Kline, who had no shooting experience, had come with Lisa Pearce, also of Clayton, saying, "This is a good girl's night out," and she was a bit hesitant at first. After some coaching, she hit three of 10 metal-plate targets, then four of 10.

"It's really heavy," Kline said of the pistol. "My arms were shaking. It's not as easy as it looks."

Brooke Ellis of Cary, a more experienced shooter, hit 18 of 20 at a distance of about 30 feet.

Schulte said the toughest thing for new shooters is adjusting to the sight picture.

"They have to get the relationship between the front and rear sights," Schulte said. "Once that clicks, it's just bang, bang, bang."

Erica Bing was with the other half of the blue squad watching instructor Wanda Parrish demonstrate a single-action (cock to shoot) revolver, lever-action rifles and pump and double-barreled shotguns.

Bing, an assistant attorney general with the N.C. Department of Justice, said she had shot once as a child, and she eagerly shouldered the side-by-side 12-gauge shotgun.

"It was awesome," she said, beaming, after shooting the metal silhouette targets. "The worst part was waiting to get up. I've got to tell you: The double-barreled shotgun was pretty empowering."

"Empowering" was a word repeated throughout the day.

"Oh, I loved it, loved it, and I didn't even fall on my butt," Amanda Johnson said after trying the shotguns. "This is empowering even if you don't want to keep a gun in the house."

At the skeet range, Cindy Huffman of Wake Forest waited with her daughters, Hailey, 13, and McKenna, 11. Their main experience was a BB gun at home.

"My husband signed us up as a surprise," Cindy Huffman said.

Once they were on the range, Edie Fleeman instructed them in target tracking exercises, then coached Hailey Huffman as she used a Remington 1100 in 28 gauge to hit one of four clay birds. Her mom then hit her first two, shot a few more times and gave way to McKenna, who dropped to the .410 for more comfort.
[email protected] or 919-829-4518

 

[WomenofCaliber]

I love seeing posts like this! It is really good to see women taking an interest nation wide. This is something I am extremely passionate about!

 

[snipe300]

That is GREAT! I don't think many woment understand how much of a difference having a gun makes for them. There's nothing cute or pretty about a goblin finding himself looking up the barrel of a gun held by a woman.

 

[dwg27]

women with power

my wife learned it all from her daddy and i am proud of her i have to be because she shoots better than me and she loves to go look at guns now that is my kind of women i did it right the first time

 

[Merkelman]

There are exceptions, of course, but I think most are too emotional and flighty to face a threat with absolute confidence.

 

[4Freedom]

I know there is many exceptions, but it really seems to be like 70% more women against guns than men I meet. They seem a bit squemish when it comes to guns.

Also, I know I may get grilled for this, but I had to get it out. Some women I know get real cocky when they can shoot good, like they have to prove how superior they are to you. Its kinda the feminine macho bravado. They feel weak with the hands, but can wipe out a room of men, mentality. I know years of sexism is probably the reason why this is. However, comments I have heard from some women, like "women are much better and agile than men with a gun, blah blah", piss me off. As far as I know, some of the best shooters, have been men, so why do they have to make these feminist comments? I know there are good and humble women shooters, but I really hate the in-your-face attitude.

There are plenty of guys of course who are cocky as well and think being good with a gun, makes them godlike, somehow. My opinion is cockiness will always screw you up or hinder your skills in any trade or activitiy in the long run.

 

[luzyfuerza]

My wife asked me to sign her up for a women's handgun class as her birthday present one year. She had a great time. The first time we qualified for our concealed carry permits, she scored better than I did.

There's no whimp in this girl, that's for sure.

The best line came from one of my co-workers, though, when I told them what I had done for her birthday. He said: "You must have a GOOD marriage!" He was (and still is) absolutely correct.

 

[Gamera]

I thought for sure this was going to be one of those "OMG boobs and guns!" threads

But yeah, I think it's great that women can enjoy shooting, it really is fun for the whole family!

 

[4x4given]

My wife has become interested in both SD/HD and safety/trinaing courses. She just bought a S&W M&P9 and tomorrow wants to go pick up a SG.

She also seem very interested in both of us developing our skills enough to participate in IDPA type events.

Gotta love it!

 

[Sixtigers]

We used to go bowling...

Now we IPSC. It doesn't have to be expensive. I shoot a Federal Ordnance 1911A1, she shoots a Springfield 1911A1 GI. We use Kimber 10 rnd mags and cheap, Uncle Mike's kydex gear. Are we competitive? Nah...but we weren't great bowlers, either...and this, as she says, is at least practical. What's really great is when you get two or three women shooting together--it's a whole different feel than when men are there, and they take it just as seriously. I'm all about women shooting. My son knows what to look for in a woman: Can she cook, and can she tap-rack-bang?

 

[TonyDedo]

The NRA's Women On Target is such a wonderful program. It's administered in Massachusetts by the Gun Owner's Action League, and they receive tremendous feedback on every event they host. I've sent three ex-girlfriends to the even, and all three have loved it.

And as far as women embracing shooting is concerned, I've found that A LOT of women are rather open minded to the concept, so long as they feel they're in a safe environment with someone they trust. I think the problem is that shooting can be one of those gender focused activities, and that men tend to be given opportunities to try shooting (especially in their youth). For instance, most Boy Scout troops will be taught gun safety and marksmanship at some point in the program, whereas the Girl Scouts decorate a float for the anti-gun Million Mom March. But once you give them an opportunity in a situation where they're safe and comfortable, I find women, by and large, really embrace shooting.

Curiously enough, I've found women tend to be open to other, non-firearm related experiences under the same circumstances. Maybe this is a place for a rifle vs. gun joke. But I digress…

 

[ZO6Vettever]

Somewhere around 35 years ago when competitive bass fishing was new I entered a tournament with my wife as a partner. Man, did we get the looks. She was as good a fisherman as the next and it poured, I mean poured rain all day long. We came in third as there were only three boats at weigh in. My wife, at 61 is going to start shooting and wants to get her CCW and I'm as proud of her now as I was after that tournament.

 

[cactusgeorge]

woman and guns

As a firearms instructor, I have as many women students as men. I like it that way and without offending all you hard charging male students and shooters out there, the ladies, on average, are better students and ultimately, they become better shooters, on a consistent basis. They are easier to reach and teach and pick things up quicker...they are able to focus better and in many cases, I don't have to repeat things three and four times to get them to do the procedures correctly. Are there some males who can perform like this..?? why certainly...just not in the numbers that females perform at. Medical studies on this subject, suggest that it all part of the female makeup of giving birth to and raising their children. It is part of the process that goes to the concentration and focusing on the child and his or her daily activities. The controlling center here resides in the brain, somewhere, according to this study. Whatever it is...it creates some great students from my perspective. As a previous poster stated, and I am paraphrasing here. "once a woman gets comfortable and feels safe in this environment, she is able to concentrate and accomplish anything she desires." Well said.

 

[4Freedom]

Medical studies on this subject, suggest that it all part of the female makeup of giving birth to and raising their children. It is part of the process that goes to the concentration and focusing on the child and his or her daily activities. The controlling center here resides in the brain, somewhere, according to this study. Whatever it is...it creates some great students from my perspective. As a previous poster stated, and I am paraphrasing here. "once a woman gets comfortable and feels safe in this environment, she is able to concentrate and accomplish anything she desires." Well said.

Typical feminist bs in my opinion. Sorry no offense, but I have seen many cases where women indeed do not learn faster than men. I am not trying to have a man vs woman debate. But when people go so far to say the women are scientifically superior and have higher comprehension skills then men, I just cannot help thinking that perhaps someone here has biased against men, perhaps he has seen women abused, neglected and has to find a way to let out his frustration by degrading men?

As far as science is concerned, I read an article on MSN about scientists have found 6 times more grey matter in a male brain and 10 times more white matter in female brain. They say women perform better in memorization tests, but have harder time in comprehension skills then men. Of course these are all gross generalizations and I am sure these results vary from man and woman. Anyhow, I don't believe women are superior, but equal if they both put equal effort into their learning. In my computer science course, the class started with 15 women and only 2 were left by end of the semester. Also, I never found the women being able to comprehend the material any better than the men. I have found in instructing women in software related information, that they do not have any better ability to focus nad comprehend information than men do.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6849058/

I think everything in regards to learning computer sciecne can be applied to learning shooting.

One thing I can say to cactusgeorge, is that the women may be more determined to succeed in their shooting skillls, whereas the men are more complacent during the training.

 

[kathya]

There are exceptions, of course, but I think most are too emotional and flighty to face a threat with absolute confidence.

Those are the ones who gravitate towards the common nitwit male as well, so if that's all you are witnessing, well...

 

[cactusgeorge]

guns and freedom

4Freedom....I think you need to reread the post again and rethink your statements..NOTHING is further from the truth and no such broad sweeping claims were made in my post. I just knew that "hard charging" males such as yourself would "take the bait"..!!

 

[tracman2]

Brides can shoot too

My bride of 39 years just completed her CC permit certification this month. She shoots with increasing confidence every week. She is a joy to shoot with......

 

[gbran]

I took a 21 y/o girl to the range yesterday. She's part of the police academy Explorers program and is supposed to have her 1st gun training next week. She didn't want to go to it unexperienced. I hammered safety rules, presentation and dry fire excercises, then onto live fire. She blew off over 250 rounds of 9mm thru a Glock, which is what she'll train with.

After mastering stance, hold, sight picture and trigger control, I was amazed at her performance. The more she practiced the better she got. She will now be able to go to her training having mastered everything from safety to accuracy.

And even better? She wants to buy at least a couple handguns for practice and fun.

 

[EHL]

I just knew that "hard charging" males such as yourself would "take the bait"..!!

So you're baiting people? Looks like we got some trolls skulking around THR.

I have to agree with 4freedom. BS on the bogus, amatuer, anecdotal "experience" cactusgeorge offered as evidence that females are better than males in shooting. I get sick and tired of hearing this line of balogna. "Women can do ANYTHING a man can do, only BETTER!"

I'm not woman bashing at all, but I think it's just as counterproductive to man-bash just to support women's involvement in shooting. People get what they put into it, plain and simple. If women (or men) decide to really learn how to shoot, they will be successful. Trying to pin point some physiological barrier that keeps one gender from excelling in shooting does nothing but create a wedge that divides all who support the RKBA.

It is a good thing that women are becoming more and more familiar (i.e comfortable) with firearm ownership and use. Hopefully it results in more votes for 2nd amendment friendly politicians. I'm glad the NRA is really reaching out to women, since historically they have been a tough crowd. This special attention I think is a smart move by the NRA in that it seeks to build bridges with a demographic that has not been an ardent supporter of gun rights. Lets not do a pendulum swing in the wrong direction and making claims that are not statistically backed or even scientifically studied. Ignorant claims from either side "men are better" or "women are better" is nothing more than empty bantor.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I think they are more willing to admit when they don't know anything, though usually are more afraid of shooting.

I don't think they make better shooters, not significantly better at least, though they are no worse.

 

[Huddog]

My wife and i celebrate our 29th anniversary this year. I have had her shooting, taken her to classes and tried to get her to obtain her concealed permit for years. She basically has always depended on me. Recently I got her to go to a safety course for National Parks. The next week she went and got her permit and is researching what gun she wants as hers. Our next gun purchase will be for her concealed carry. She always knew she could get any of the guns from the safe but she finally wants her own. She has never been anti-gun but with the way things are in the country now has gotten her interested in being responsible for her own safety.