She arrives to the firearms safety class after
researching her instructor’s firearms experience and her investigative
intuition has already acquired what would be expected from her. He examines and compares the varying prices
of courses, and seeks information from his male circle in finding an
instructor. Throughout the process of identifying a trainer, she comes into
contact with several styles of training.
She is turned off by those who imitate a hard core militaristic method of
training. He takes in this information,
and his desire is to become part of the brotherhood. He imagines himself standing side by side with
these men who are the next terminators. She is not impressed by offers from male
instructors that promote firearms training for women only classes. He wonders why there should be special
classes for women shooters. She becomes hesitant by offers from female firearms
instructors whose shooting experience is very limited. He is hesitant in taking
a class from any woman unless she has demonstrated experience or has been referred.
Depending upon the gender demographic in class, she
is initially quiet without a need to boast about the highest caliber she has
ever shot, if any. He loves demonstrating his knowledge of any kind to the firearms
class, while anticipating the countdown to range time. Her inquisitive nature spurs questions that
end with a request, “Can you show me?” Usually, he offers details from the
latest rumor, movie, or information that his friends “have told him.”
Upon arriving at the shooting range, she is curious
and cautious. He walks up to the line and grabs the gun. Each shot that is fired
on the range startles her. She does not
care if anyone observes this. If anything
bothers him, it is not noticeable. In fact, he is waiting to “get this show on
the road.” While on the line at the range, she listens intently to her
instructor’s advice. Each step taken is deliberate
with focus. While on the line, he grabs
the gun and proceeds to fire as rapidly as possible as if the quicker, the
better. The instructor continues to make
requests for him to slow down and not “slap the trigger.” A sudden, unexpected smile
illuminates her face as her shot breaks the bullseye on her target. This is the encouragement that was needed to calm
her nerves and uplift her confidence.
At
the end of the class, her target reveals that SHE CAN SHOOT! His countenance remains unchanged. He realizes that the class is finished,
however he wishes to remain on the range and continue shooting. She leaves
feeling armed with more confidence, and she is now ready to begin her journey
in researching what lucky firearm will be hers, eventually. It might be pink, it could be purple, but it
could also dark or steel in color which matches her wardrobe at home.
Homework?
Yes, most women take a firearms training course and explore the opportunities
of shooting several firearms before making a purchase. Her research in finding
an instructor did not end there. Much
like trying on a pair of pumps, she examines how various guns fit her hand and
realizes that it is indeed a very individualized choice. She asks as many
questions as she does in handling several firearms before the purchase has been
made. On the other hand, he primarily compares prices, solicits advice from his
friends, and his selection is typically based on what is popular.
The latest Gallop Poll on guns reports that 47% of
Americans now have guns more than any time since 1993. Those firearms purchases are largely attributed
to women. It is reported that 23% of
women confess that they are gun owners; up from 13% in 2005. I use the word confess because oftentimes,
women in general don’t feel the need to announce to the world that they are a
proud owner of a gun. Rather, a large percentage
of female gun owners covertly carry for an element of surprise should danger
surface; or their gun is safely stored at home.
More men adorn their waistline with the presence of a firearm depending
on the geographic regions of our country.
It is like passing a fellow motorcyclist, he has joined the circle.
Those who know him are familiar with his interest in firearms and his
enthusiasm for shooting. There is no
expected surprise or odd look from anyone as he approaches the subject. When she happens to mention that she is
shopping for a firearm, eyebrows raise and some may ask, “Are you in trouble?” Her “coming out” in taking such a class or
acquiring a firearm might earn her a label as “being odd,” or paranoid from
certain peers or social groups in our community, but nonetheless, she might be
your sister, mother, grandmother, co-worker, wife, or partner, and, SHE CAN SHOOT!
*Although some
readers may view this article as being condescending in nature towards males, the
purpose or intent is to post a compilation of opinions based on personal
observations and experiences that have been gathered from male and female
firearms instructors that note the differences as it relates to firearms training
between the genders. It is merely a
general observation, and the writer acknowledges that not all female and male
shooters may fit in the categories that have been mentioned.
-Tina Wilson-Cohen
SHE CAN SHOOT, President
