SHE CAN SHOOT Helps Women Discover Their Strengths and Hidden Talents!

It is in each one of us, whether we have discovered it or not, every woman has a talent.  SHE CAN SHOOT uses firearms training and self-defense as a catalyst to help women become empowered and build confidence.  It is on this journey that each woman hopefully discovers or validates her strengths and talents.

Check out our recent SHE CAN SHOOT female student's testimony.  She discovered her hidden talent:

What kind of women shoot guns? Here is my story. I am a 62 year old grandma, a retired teacher who is now an artist, a photographer and golfer. I signed up for Tina Wilson’s Firearm Instruction class to overcome my fear of guns, to learn gun safety, and to learn how to protect myself.
When my husband took an NRA class, I was very upset to see a gun in the house and was admittedly afraid of the thing. It was my husband who found “shecan shoot.com” on the internet and encouraged me to sign up for Tina’s class. I was not thrilled with the idea but felt that I needed to overcome my fear, to educate myself, and to learn how to defend myself. That was it. Period. Or so I thought.
After Tina’s instruction, the students went to the shooting range to practice what we had learned. Just the reverberations I heard from the shooting range gave me the chills (chills of intimidation, not of excitement). Tina helped me get set up in my lane. I aimed and slowly pulled the trigger. When my session ended, I flipped the switch to return my practice target. Well, what do you know. I completely shredded the “X” right out of the bulls eye. I guess I am a natural. Anyways, that is what Tina said.
When I got home I showed my husband my target practice sheet. He was in awe and could not believe it. He said, “ If there is ever a problem, I am handing you the gun”. I felt very proud of myself. But what is more important is that I have educated myself on the use of firearms and feel confident in my ability to protect myself. We are heading to the gun shop to purchase my first firearm this weekend.
So, what kind of women shoot guns? Smart, confident and empowered women. See you at the range.

Wendy Schobert

At SHE CAN SHOOT, our lessons are simple, and the results are remarkable!  Discover your hidden talent!

What Am I Doing Wrong?

In the past couple of years, women have been crossing off "firearms training" from their bucket list.  Ladies, the firearms industry has taken notice. There are guns out there that look like they were dunked in a Pepto-Bismol bottle and forgotten for centuries. What used to appeal to young girls, "Hello Kitty," has now caught mom's eye as the logo can be seen plastered on AR-15's.  Hearing protection and safety goggles have even caught the pink and purple fever.  But with all of this fashionable hype, why do some women fail to have a love affair with their firearm?  After all, the majority of women have been told that "this is THE gun for them," or some females have had a family member purchase a firearm for them as a present.

Once we have this new item, the next step is taking our "friend" to the range.  There is nothing as embarrassing than if we can't pull the trigger, or when we do, the entire front end of the firearm drops.  As a result, the target boldly indicates that the most popular shots she is capable of firing are to the groin area.  This is multiplied a dozen more times, "What am I doing wrong?"

So maybe your new purchase hasn't been taken out of the box until you arrive to the range.  As you place your hands around the grip of of the firearm, this area is so large that there is no way that a finger can reach the trigger without canting your hand sideways.  The slide on the semi-automatic doesn't appear to move no matter how hard you attempt to lock it back. "What am I doing wrong?"

All of your friends comment how they enjoy shooting.  Your like-minded girlfriends want to show off their guns.  Are you serious? Why am I not having such a good time? Well, your hand hurts, you feel like a weakling, and you think that you aren't capable of being a proficient shooter. "What am I doing wrong?"

Sadly, many women experiencing these symptoms don't understand that there is a remedy for these problems.  First, females need to understand that selecting a firearm is like looking for a great pair of shoes that need to be comfortable and fit properly!  You wouldn't go shopping for shoes with your girlfriend and force your foot into a shoe that fits her or proves to be a great selection based on your girlfriend's taste in shoes, would you?

The grip area of a firearm is very important.  This needs to fit your hand comfortably, while also allowing your finger to reach the trigger as the "backstrap" area of the grip remains in the middle of your hand.  Gun manufacturers are becoming smarter and offering some firearms that allow the interchangeable grips to be swapped out depending upon hand size.

Remember, only the middle padding of the trigger finger should be on the trigger itself when firing.  Your hand should not move at all when firing.  Trigger control means pulling the trigger to the rear rather than applying a "slapping" movement of the trigger with your finger.  Slowly let your trigger finger ride the trigger all the way out, this is "follow through."  If you can't do this because the trigger is so hard to pull, and you find that it is impossible to not move the firearm, this trigger is to much for you!  This is causing the downward movement of the firearm.  As a result, your shots will continue to fall below the bullseye on the target.

Oftentimes, a bad habit can occur when a shooter anticipates the gun going off followed by a "bang."  This is called anticipation.

Firearms with "hammers" are great especially on revolvers because they afford you the opportunity to cock the hammer back when firing each shot which is called "single action."  You will find that this might improve your ability to actually fire into the bullseye without forcing the gun in a downward motion because the trigger was originally so strong.  As a side note, there is a possibility that a gunsmith can also go in and release the tension on your trigger making  you a happier gal!

The bottom line is that a firearm purchase should be based on what YOU like and what fits YOUR hand!  The best way in determining this is to rent as many firearms at the range for shooting, and make a list of what you might prefer.  Join a women's firearms group, such as SHE CAN SHOOT, that will allow you to go shooting and receive training with various firearms.  Get feedback from other women!  Next time, don't let that person behind a gun counter sell you what they think you should have.  Arm yourself with knowledge.

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The Gender Differences As It Relates To Firearms Safety Training

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

WHY WOMEN SHOOT

SHE CAN SHOOT, LLC is featuring a series,  "Why Women Shoot." 

SHE CAN SHOOT would like to feature Olga Diana in our "Why Women Shoot" series.
Olga Diana joined the Northern VA chapter, SHE CAN SHOOT: The Shooting Divas in 2011. Along with her beauty and melodic accent, she also brought some previous shooting experience to the group. Since joining SHE CAN SHOOT, Olga feels that she has gained more experience and confidence leading her to consider becoming a future firearms instructor.

Why does Olga Diana shoot? She admits that one of her personality traits is having a strong personality. This trait is what sparked her desire to become interested in shooting. "Years ago, shooting was considered more of a man's thing to do, and I wanted to prove to myself that I can be as good as anyone else," states Olga. As a result, Olga feels that not only did she become a good shooter, she discovered that this was also a catalyst in "building self-control and confidence because you have to coordinate the control of your mind and body in order to focus." "The amount of focus that is necessary can also be applied to your goals in life to allow achievement."

Today, Olga applies that accomplished focus and confidence to a jewelry business, Brenap Jewelry, which she owns. Now rather than doing the occasional bi-weekly skydiving escapades that was once enjoyed, Olga gets her adrenaline rush at the range, but that follows after her zen moments as she shoots,

Her message: "Understanding that guns don't kill people, people kill people; if we all have the education and a better understanding of this fact, while treating firearms with respect, this world would be a safer place for us and our children."

Feel free to check out her website at www.BrenapJewelry.com