Aiming for gun safety: Women learn to feel at home on the shooting range

The Daily News of Los Angeles | May 11, 2003 | Greg Botonis

[tarawa]

The Daily News of Los Angeles

May 11, 2003 Sunday, Antelope Valley Edition

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. AV1

LENGTH: 225 words

HEADLINE: AIMING FOR GUN SAFETY; WOMEN LEARN TO FEEL AT HOME ON THE SHOOTING RANGE

BYLINE: Greg Botonis, Staff Writer

BODY: LANCASTER - Combining gun safety with shooting practice, 30 women took aim Saturday in a class to help them feel comfortable with a firearm in the home.

Hosted by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, and state Sen. William "Pete" Knight, R-Palmdale, the event at The Gun Shop was only the second in the state to be sponsored by the Second Amendment Sisters, a firearm advocacy group.

"At first I was a little nervous but after a while I was very comfortable," said Theresa Quintana, of Palmdale. "My husband signed me up for the course because, in case he's not around, he wants me to know how to fire it."

Runner, a novice shooter, scored well during target practice and began the paperwork to buy a handgun of her own.

The Second Amendment Sisters describes itself as "a women's advocacy group dedicated to preserving the basic human right of self-defense, and to giving attention to the vital role the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution plays in protecting that right."

The 5-year-old group hopes to host workshops all over the country within the next couple of years to educate women in how to use firearms for self-defense.

"My gun is very important to me and the safety of my family," SAS State Coordinator Emily Berg said. "We want women to stand up and say, 'Hey, I have an opinion about firearms."'

[tarawa]

I hope this hasn't already been posted. I did do a search first...

[tarawa]

ping...

[hole_n_one]

*

[2nd_Amendment_Defender]

More women need to learn how to use and carry a firearm for protection. This is a great article.

[umgud]

There are two very important things soccer moms (and others) need to know about guns.

1. How to use them

2. Never vote democrat or you'll eventually loose your guns

[lilylangtree]

Great idea for any woman who feels intimidated by a gun. I took lessons to learn to trap shoot. Then decided I should learn how to shoot a handgun. I took handgun lessons taught by a former San Diego policeman. The classes were invaluable. Intimidation gone.

[Joe Brower]

[marktwain]

I very much enjoy teaching women to shoot. It is always nice to hear them say thank you.

[PatrioticAmerican]

I wish I had my NR Instructor certificate because I'd love to teach anyone who wanted to learn for free. NRA, because here you get that CCW with an NRA class.

[Chemist_Geek]

There are two very important things soccer moms (and others) need to know about guns.

I disagree. The three things everyone needs to know about guns are:

1. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
3. Always keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use.

It's also useful for everyone to know the render-safe procedures: (these are for pistols)

• For semiautomatics:
  
  1. Eject the magazine.
  2. Lock the slide back.
• For revolvers:
  
  1. Swing the cylinder out

Everything else, is proselytization and can turn people off.

[basil]

Thanks for the ping, Tarawa. Although I was aware of the event, I haven't seen this particular article about it. A SASSY thanks for posting it!

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Who would I need to suck up to ask nicely if I am interested in being put on the *bang* list? I'd like it if possible!


This could be my daughter and I.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

I am a soccer mom with special fondness for my Taurus .357mag. The rules I was taught years ago have become as natural to me as breathing; I adhere to them without second thought.

While target practicing one day, I was firing my husbands .45 and had an unexpected misfire. Had I not automaticaly had the muzzle pointed toward the ground, I would have shot my husband right in the back.

* Always know the exact location of your firearm.
* Always assume that the weapon is fully loaded.
* Point the firearm only at that which you intend to shoot.
* If you must shoot, be prepared to kill.

[lainie]

Woo hoo ! We had a freepin' good time.

Ladies' Handgun Shoot -- Report

Me (and my two future shooters) at the SAS-AIM March, 2000

[lainie]

The four cardinal safety rules are:

1. All guns are always loaded
2. Never let your muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Be sure of your target and what's behind your target
4. Finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target

[technochick99]

Getting politicians to your shoot usually gets *some* coverage. Kudos all!

[SASNatCoord]

future shooters (young and old) are being educated everyday. Thanks for teaching your children right from wrong and how to be SAFE. (what did you do on Mother's Day?)