Posted on 05/14/2003 5:01:23 PM PDT by tarawa
Just a little something that says, 'I love you'
May 12, 2003
Back in 1999 Rosie O'Donnell teamed up with other anti-gun celebrities and gun control organizations to put together the so-called "Million Mom March." It was an attempt to rally all womankind behind the crusade to restrict or ban ownership of handguns. The effort did not succeed in getting anywhere near a million moms to march on the mall in our nation's capital, nor did their efforts to ban handguns. One outcome of the event, however, was to raise the ire of a fairly new and rapidly expanding segment of our population - women packing heat. Enter the Second Amendment Sisters.
Nancy Errea was driving home from her job at Jack First Gun shop in Rapid City early in 2000 listening to G. Gordon Liddy's national radio talk show. Mr. Liddy was talking about the Second Amendment Sisters and Nancy took note of the phone number given out during the program. Following a 90-minute phone conversation with a national S.A.S representative, Nancy Errea found herself recruited to be the head of the organization's South Dakota chapter.
Nancy says the goal of S.A.S in South Dakota is a bit different than it is in other states. Women in these parts aren't as militant in voicing any anti-gun sentiments they may have, and most support the right of responsible people to own firearms. While S.A.S. chapters in other parts of the nation concentrate on uniting women in defense of their second amendment rights to keep and bear arms, Nancy has steered the South Dakota effort toward getting more women involved in shooting sports, carrying handguns for self defense, and helping those who want to learn to use a handgun do so in a safe and responsible manner.
The centerpiece of this effort is a program cosponsored by The South Dakota Shooting Sports Association and The South Dakota Second Amendment Sisters that features a number of handgun shooting events for ladies only. These events are impressive because everything, and I do mean everything, is provided free of charge to women who want to participate. Guns, ammunition, eye and ear protection and certified firearms instructors are all part of the package. Black Hills Ammunition supplies the ammo, Jack First Gun Shop and others provide the handguns that are in a wide range of calibers including .22, .38 special, .380, 9 mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. First timers are introduced to the small calibers first. There is no pressure to shoot anything a lady doesn't want to, and husbands and boyfriends may watch from a distance if they keep their mouths shut.
The Ladies' Handgun Shoots feature over 30 range safety officers headed up by Art Aplan. Art is also in charge of firearms training for South Dakota law enforcement officers. The instructors are the only males allowed near the lady participants at the event. That's because Nancy says significant others tend to offer too much advice and sometimes think they know more than they do. The goal is to let the ladies decide for themselves if they like to shoot, and if so, what they like to shoot. About a fourth of the ladies that come to the shoots have never fired a handgun before, and about a third bring their own sidearm wanting to learn how to use it better. Instruction is given on handgun safety, gun handling, loading and unloading, drawing the weapon, and marksmanship. Nancy also seasons each event with a dash of political activism explaining why the second amendment is important to our freedom, and which politicians in the area are friends of shooting sports participants. So far, nearly 400 area women have participated in these shoots. That's a number any criminal will want to keep in mind before he tries to take advantage of a Black Hills babe.
The summer schedule for Ladies' Handgun Shoots is as follows:
Saturday, June 28th 9:00 AM at the Spearfish Rifle Range about a mile up the Spearfish Canyon Road from town.
Sunday, July 20th 9:00 AM at the Rapid City National Guard outdoor range.
Saturday, August 23rd 9:00 AM at the Rapid City National Guard range.
Sunday, September 28th, 9:00 AM at the Spearfish Rifle Range.
Nancy says the July 20th shoot is full, but there are still a few spaces available at the others. You must reserve a spot at the shoot in advance and can do so by calling Nancy Errea at 605-343-9544.
Guys, this is an excellent way to help the gal you love find out how much fun shooting sports can be, but be warned. Once the lady in your life gets hooked on shooting she'll be wanting a gun of her own, but then again haven't I always said that nothing says "I love you" like the gift of a large caliber firearm.
A gun of her own? How about several, in a variety of calibers? :)
I've told my husband that I want Rugers's 50th Anniversary edition of their .22 revolver, single action six. I don't have a .22 revoler - yet.
last year (for mother's day) I gave her a Glock 26 9mm.
now the deal is this... she will allow me to buy a new gun when I want to, but I have to buy her one, too.
Hmmmmm. on the up-side, she's happy with a gift of ammo. roses? naw, we're not dating... we're going to the range.
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