The Wildly Successfuly Women's Annie Oakley Shooting Program: Opening Night

The sun was beginning its descent behind the mountains to the West as we made that long drive up the hill going North on Decatur.  The nearly 80-degree day was giving way to dusk and the cooler temperatures of a springtime evening in Las Vegas.  As we climbed the road to the Clark County Shooting Complex, the air grew even cooler.  We were excited and optimistic about what the evening had in store for us.  Months of preparation for the ladies of the Nevada Firearms Coalition was about to pay off.  The ladies who volunteered were preparing to host the inaugural Annie Oakley Shooting event.  Among them was my friend Megan, a former “student” of mine who has shown remarkable progress in marksmanship and safety during our semi-regular range trips.  When she was first told about this program, she volunteered to take the RSO class without hesitation for the sole purpose of volunteering with this program.

After many meetings, training sessions, dry runs and NRA Range Safety Officer classes, everyone was going to put their training and knowledge to good use.  The Annie Oakley program is geared towards female first-time shooters, led and instructed by experienced female shooters.  The belief is that women will feel more comfortable being taught by other women, coached and supported along the way by other women.  No scoffing men allowed.  Girls only.

We approached the gate to the Shooting Complex and were greeted by…a man?  Yes, there were some of us male volunteers (your author also carries the dreaded Y Chromosome) but we were purely in place for logistical support.  Directing traffic and greeting people.  Collecting liability waivers. Cleaning up the classroom.  The bread and butter of the program, the classroom instruction and coaching on the range, is handled by the ladies.  After a brief exchange, we continued the drive up the hill, passing several other male volunteers directing traffic.

We arrived at the Hunter Safety Education building at the end of the road and were amazed to see several dozen cars already there and a line forming outside the building.  My eyes widened as I realized that there were a whole lot of people interested in this program.  I couldn’t believe there were so many people there already, since the event wasn’t scheduled to start for another hour!  We parked and went to work.  I assumed my post in the parking lot directing traffic.  Over the course of the next 30 minutes I watched a steady stream of cars follow the same road I had just traveled.  The parking lot was full and people began parking along the side of the road, in the gravel, double parking, triple parking, it didn’t matter.  With a half an hour to go before the program would begin, the line was already wrapped around the building.  The classroom filled to capacity and disappointed prospective students were turned away to return for another session an hour later or on another day.  Still another 15 minutes to go before class started and it was already filled to capacity.

I spent the next hour apologizing to people for the class being full and encouraging them to stay for the next classroom session.  I answered a myriad of questions from “When is the program held again?” (Every Tuesday night) to “How do I get a CCW permit?” Once the traffic situation died down, I moved inside to help check people in for the second classroom session.  I was amazed yet again to see that the line for the second class was just as long as the first class.  We went to work collecting waivers and handing out the punch card for the ammo.  The first class exited and made their way down to the range as the classroom filled with our second group of eager ladies ready to learn to shoot.

I stood in the doorway of the classroom and listened to the instructors, Sandy and Alex, as they went through the basics.  The cardinal rules of gun safety.  Dominant eye and sight picture.  Loading a magazine.  Everything you would expect from a basic pistol class.  I looked around the classroom and noticed the many different demographics represented.  All age groups, daughters under 18, mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends.  Different races, different cultures and no doubt different backgrounds and life experiences.  They all came together for a common purpose and were eager to learn.

I moved outside to do some paperwork and get some fresh air.  While sitting at one of the picnic tables outside, I could hear the familiar popping sound of .22 handguns coming from the range.  I looked over towards the bright lights on the range and could see people on the firing line.  The first group had taken the range and was well on their way to learning how to shoot safely.

Disappointingly, there was little coverage by our local media.  Carla Wade from KTNV Channel 13 News was the only reporter I’m aware of who came to the classroom to cover the event.  She gave impressive and positive coverage of the program, which aired during the 11pm news the same night.  The story and video can be found at their website.

Courtesy: T. Fredkin, Facebook

Based solely on the attendance of the first week’s event, this program is going to be a resounding success for the Nevada Firearms Coalition.  There appears to be a great deal of demand for such a program and even reading comments on social media seems to be generating quite a bit of buzz among those who plan to attend.  People seem genuinely excited and I believe this class will fill a much-needed void. People want to learn about guns, but don’t feel comfortable enough to jump right into a CCW or a basic pistol type class.  I even had several ladies approach me and tell me they felt like they should take the classroom portion again.  There is no shame in that and I think people should learn all they can however they can.  I encourage every lady who has ever thought about shooting a gun (and even those who haven’t.  Why not?) to attend this program.  The knowledge you gain is empowering and could prove to be invaluable to you and your family.

-John

The Annie Oakley Women's Shooting Program is for women only (sorry dudes) and is a free program provided by the Nevada Firearms Coalition Foundation for women who would like to learn how to shoot and handle guns safely. No registration is required. Eye and ear protection (shooting glasses and ear muffs/plugs) is available for a nominal fee.

The program is held each Tuesday night 7-9 PM at the Clark County Shooting Complex (Rifle/Pistol Center), 11357 N. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV.

Contact leader Jeannette via email

No Pink Pistol Here; A Woman's Experience

The stereotype of shooting being a sport dominated by men is quickly being broken. More and more women across the country are taking firearms courses, becoming competitive shooters, buying firearms, and carrying daily for safety. They are "the next big thing" in shooting sports. We feature a story from one of our readers, Becky, who recently entered the gun community.

After much encouragement from my son, I enrolled in personal firearms training. Initially, I was reluctant and fearful. My thoughts toward guns were that they are dangerous and I was reluctant to handle them. An earlier incident of ‘slide bite’ didn’t help. My apprehension centered on ignorant fears that the gun may accidentally discharge and I was afraid of the recoil. Boy did my perspective change. 

My first lesson was with a .22 semi-automatic pistol. I told my instructor my fears and he demonstrated by dropping a loaded gun onto the shelf at the range and explained in a firm tone “The gun will not go off unless you pull the trigger.” He handed me the gun. I flinched with every shot all through my first lesson. I seriously had second thoughts about going to another lesson and I am sure my instructor had reservations as well. I shot the .22 for the first three lessons, arms out slightly bent at the elbows thinking, This is the gun for me. At my next lesson I was introduced to my instructor’s Glock 17, which holds 17 rounds of 9mm. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with this gun.

After entering the lane for my lesson, there was a target still up from the last shooter.  I had to wad it up and throw it out so no one would think it was me who shot so poorly. Over the weeks, I quickly progressed from basic to advanced techniques. When I first shot using the Center Axis Relock system, the spent shell hit me in the head and it was a little unsettling.  Once I became more comfortable shooting and looking through the sights, I’m actually a darn good shot and I hit the target in the kill zones. I have felt elated after leaving the range and I am proud of myself.

I also shot a revolver, a really big revolver. I was a bit hesitant anticipating the kick but it wasn’t bad to shoot, just a heavy piece of metal. I also shot the AR-15 and boy, did I like it. No kick and impossible to miss your target. After shooting the AR, I said I want a chair and a table that both fully rotate so that if need be, I can sit inside my house and shoot 360 degrees covering all entry points.

After ten lessons, I bought a 9mm and I continue to practice. I am now training for conceal carry and continue with personal defense courses. I could not care less when a spent shell flies in my hair or down my shirt. I know what a smoking gun looks like and have felt the heat.  Mostly, I wish would have done this years ago. It’s a fun challenge to hit the target and being able to handle a gun and hitting the target is a great confidence builder.

 

Get educated on gun safety. Women need a way to defend themselves as they are more likely to be victims of personal assault crimes (check statics on this one). My lady friends with guns carry when they travel alone. Many keep revolvers by their bedside.  They have also taught their children and grandchildren how to shoot. The main reason I own a gun is for personal safety, piece of mind, and security. Also consider if you travel any distance by vehicle, live alone, and your neighborhood.

Many women are better shooters than men (from my instructor). You will gain confidence in yourself and your abilities. You could do target practice as a stress reliever. Shooting is fun!

You may also like: Vegas Woman Shoots Stalker

Vegas Woman Shoots Stalker

An anonymous woman in Las Vegas defended herself against a stalker who broke into her apartment on September 26. “Police said the woman fired two shots at the man once he made entry into the unit, hitting him once in the chest.”http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/26635005/man-shot

This is her story and her picture, found on Imgur. I am posting it here, as I do not want such a harrowing, yet inspirational, story to disappear.  Original source: http://imgur.com/gallery/giExlcJ

I'm writing this staring at the mess the police left for me, in a bit of a fog.  After 6 months of stalking and threats against my life my stalker finally snapped and decided to kick my door in and make good on his promise. Out of fear, the past month I had begun sleeping with a chair propped against my front door, to give myself a few extra precious seconds in case of emergency. I shudder to think how differently things might've turned out had I  not barricaded the door. I awoke around 1:15 am to the sound of the door giving way after one kick followed by the sounds of my stalker struggling to dislodge the chair while forcing his way inside. I jumped up and grabbed the gun I've learned to do everything even shower with. I stood at the top of my stairs and fired twice. Hitting him in the chest, I hear his scream, his disbelief that I'd stood up for myself… 0 to 100 in milliseconds. I've never been so afraid in my life. I do not know if he is living, but I do know the police have him and that's what helps the most. For months of him evading the police I began to question whether he was unstoppable. Untraceable. Houdini, he would murder me and get away with it. As of now I'm in a haze of guilt, surprise, relief  and disbelief. I shook as the canines drag him out from his hiding place under a bush. I survived,where so many people do not. Holy shit, I survived.
The outpouring of support is WILD. I can’t thank you guys enough. Everyone can be a critic and the fact still remains, you don’t know what you will do in a situation until its presented in front of you. Those who believe there was other things to be done have never had someone tell you that you no longer deserve to draw breath and mean it. And for the should’ve fired a warning shot folks: There are no warning shots, a gun is a deadly force, you only pull that trigger if you are in fear for your life and all other methods of deterring are gone. When he kicked my door in, there was no longer a deterrent preventing harm. Warning shots are dangerous and could hurt the unintended. This is not a wild west movie. That's what responsible gun ownership is. I’ll update once things have calmed down a bit I promise. I’ll write back to everyone and after being isolated for so long,  anyone who wants to be friends, I am always accepting those. A few people have asked so I finally created one, anything that is donated will help and be seriously appreciated.

Support her campaign to recover the money she lost here: http://www.gofundme.com/Stalked

This woman is a survivor. She did what the media and the elitist anti-gun crowd told her not to do. Only by owning and using a gun did she avoid being a victim. The anti-gun folks rail about how making guns harder to obtain and carry will supposedly protect women from violent men, but they ignore stories like this.

Crimes like these are why Nevada’s system of open carry, shall issue concealed weapons permits, and yes, even face-to-face sales without background checks, are necessary to ensure that women can fight back against violent men who may be stronger than they.

Still disagree? Tell me how soon the police would have arrived and if calling 911 would have made a difference. A restraining order? Bug spray? 

Update 10/18/2014: More of her story, in her own words, on Reddit. Note the extreme and determined lengths the stalker went to find and contact her. If you are involved in a situation like this, it is recommended you have NO social media presence at all. 

Update 01/12/2014: This commendable woman is doing well and has become a certified range safety officer with the goal of teaching others how to protect themselves. Article here. She is still affected by things one might describe as PTSD, which one could consider only natural after enduring such stress, trauma, and having to use deadly force (though not in this case) to protect her life. Notice the determination and resolve in her words. This is the woman that Shannon Watts does not care about. The anti-gun crowd would rather have seen this woman dead and/or raped, than her have the ability to defend herself. This is what hand gun ownership is all about.

I will quote the young woman here, as it seems her Reddit post, the source, was deleted.

I thought I’d update my fellow redditors. The past few months have been a roller coaster for me. Since my last update, I’ve moved and started a new job I cherish and made amazing new friends. I now work in a firearm range that doubles as education hub for shooters of all experience levels and recently gained my cert. to become an NRA Range Safety officer.
I can’t even begin to describe how working in this environment has helped me. I get to be around like minded individuals AND help broaden people’s knowledge and understanding of firearms and safe handling while expanding my own. I’ve learned so much from the people that I work with and their positivity and support is what’s been the most helpful.
If I told you that what happened to me no longer affects me I would be dishonest. It does and it does so everyday. I still jump when I hear doorbells or someone knocking. No matter how much I try to shake it, it won’t leave. I have nightmares, more often than I’d like and become anxious when I’m home alone. I am more aware of my immediate surroundings, but I trust less and my small town mindset and naïveté has pretty much vanished. Even certain movies I used to like, I can no longer enjoy because of the subject matter.
A piece of me is forever hollowed by my experience but that part is slowly becoming overshadowed by the part of me that’s helping others to feel more confidently and assertive about not having to become someone’s victim themselves.
After multiple court resets and subpoenas the man who was stalking me made a deal and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb.11. Initially, I didn’t want to speak at his sentencing, I just wanted to close this hideous chapter and get on with my life but now I feel like I need to.
I need the court to understand the severity of what this person did to me, I still fear the justice system falling under his spell and giving him leniency because he was shot. I need them to understand what it may feel like to have someone hunt you down and toy with you like their prey. Or how you can become accustomed to lodging a chair against your door routinely the same way you brush your teeth before bed. I need them to know that I am a real person and not just a name read off of a piece of paper.
I feel as though I am ready now to look him in the eye and have him swallow the fact that I am the one who put him there. No one saved me, but me. I am alive, I am here despite many threats against my life, and almost giving up myself. I laugh and smile everyday because I know there are others in similar situations who won’t have the chance to. I am so much stronger now because of it. Today, I am happy to report, life is good. So yeah, Ask me anything.