Women learn to shoot in female-friendly environment

  • By Kelley Mohr
  • October 23, 2011
  • 306
                        
Summary: A group of women learned gun safety, self-defense and pistol training at the Tactical Weapons Training Group’s women-only event. Story: Want to learn to shoot like a girl? A group of women did just that at the Women’s Pistol Training Event, held on Oct. 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Danville, Ohio. The Tactical Weapons Training Group presented the event in partnership with the NRA Women on Target. The women were heavily trained in basic gun safety, which included gun handling, basic pistol craft and International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) style scenario shooting. Participants were asked to bring their own equipment, such as a 380 or higher caliber pistol, 200 rounds of ammunition, a belt, holster, two magazines, a chair and appropriate shooting clothing. For beginners without their own equipment, however, gear was provided. Tactical Weapons Training Group Director of Events Valerie Booth organized the event when she realized that many women would feel more comfortable learning to shoot in a women-only environment. “I wanted to create an opportunity for women who have never touched a gun, so they don’t feel stupid for the first time standing there with a bunch of men,” said Booth. “I wanted to show that a gun doesn’t have to be scary. You just have to find a comfortable level for everybody.” The class was beneficial for shooters of all levels, from experienced gunners to women who had never held, let alone fired, a pistol. “The women all took to it. At this event, we had people who shoot and people who have never picked up a gun,” said Booth. With seven participants the first day and 14 the second, the women received very individual attention, which helped both beginners and seasoned shooters immensely, explained Booth. “It’s kind of cool in that environment because those new shooters pick up stuff from shooters that are experienced. And you can pick something up no matter how many times you’ve shot a gun,” she said. “If you go with an instructor, you’re going to learn something new.” All women should learn how to shoot, said Booth, because just having the knowledge makes one more prepared in instances when self-defense is necessary. “As a woman, it’s very empowering to be able to shoot a gun and shoot it well,” she said. “It’s fun, it’s something you can do and feel good about, but also if you need to, you can defend yourself.” In addition to learning to hold, carry and shoot a gun, the women received tactical training. Skilled instructors led them through IDPA scenarios, teaching the women what to do in the event of a bank robbery or home invasion. “You hope something bad doesn’t happen. But if you had to defend yourself, you would know how to do that,” said Booth. When women are capable of shooting a gun, they can protect themselves, but shooting also has other benefits. “When you shoot, you can just feel the stress pouring out of you. It’s aggressive, it’s noisy and it makes you feel good. It’s good for your soul, I swear,” said Booth. “And it’s a very empowering feeling for women to stand up next to guys and be able to say, ‘I got this.’ Once those girls got up there and fired they had the biggest smiles on their faces.” In this women-only environment, most women felt more comfortable learning the ins and outs of shooting a gun without feeling self conscious, said Booth. “A lot of women don’t like to take instruction from their husbands, for one. And this is an environment where they can come and get instruction from somewhere other than their spouse and have that bond with other women,” she explained. And even as they learned to shoot, the women could display their feminine sides as they sported pink camouflage earmuffs and fired pink shotgun shells. After spending the day shooting, a girl can always go paint her nails or clean her gun, whichever she prefers, Booth joked. “Even though you’re with guns and it’s not super girly, it’s a cool girl’s event,” said Booth. “You can still be girly and shoot a gun.” The Tactical Weapons Training Group will offer more classes for women, including more Women on Target classes starting in November. “We all had such a fantastic time and I can’t wait for the next one,” said Booth. “I think any time you can get a gun in a girl’s hand and make her feel comfortable, make her feel like she can handle it and not be scared of it, it’s just a win.” For more information about the Tactical Weapons Training group and women-only events, go to http://www.pmsecurityservicestwtg.com/ or contact Valerie Booth at 330-201-6457 or vbooth@pmsecurityservicestwtg.com.


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