Posted on 04/10/2004 2:40:05 AM PDT by Pharmboy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- In what organizers call ``the softer side of shooting,'' a gun convention for women is offering classes ranging from hunting and gun safety to gourmet game cooking and fancy hat making.
There was even a pajama party with manicure tips and a shooting scrapbook contest.
The Shooting for Women Conference was created for the female gun enthusiast who doesn't enjoy the testosterone-charged environment at most gun events, said Susan Long, editor of Shooting for Women magazine and a promoter of the four-day conference, which began Thursday.
The idea is to create a more feminine place so women feel comfortable learning about guns. Long said women and younger people are the fastest growing group in shooting sports.
``Women enjoy the sport. You just get hooked,'' Long said.
One seminar taught the basics of collecting antique guns -- and what to do if a dead husband leaves you with loads of collectible guns.
After an event Friday showing off the latest in camouflage fashion, there was instruction on cowboy action shooting and rape awareness.
Empowerment was another theme.
Cinda Brooks, a game warden from Austin, Texas, and a six-time winner at the World Police and Fire Games, is giving a speech on how to become a champion.
``There are some national and world-class shooters here. And across the board, what they love talking about the most is helping out new women into the sport,'' she said. ``I love teaching women. I have a real passion for motivating women to succeed.''
About 550 women from around the country registered for the conference. Organizers have promised it will be the first of many.
Long said that since Sept. 11 -- and any time there is a crisis -- there is an increase of the number of women that sign up for concealed carry classes.
Tennessee state Sen. Rosalind Kurita, a Democrat from Clarksville, said she hopes to pick up a tip or two on a seminar about setting up shotguns for shooting clay targets.
``For myself, it is the uniqueness of the opportunity to be with an all-women's group,'' said Kurita, who has sponsored legislation giving tax breaks for gun safes.
Political opponents of the gun industry aren't pleased with the effort. They claim the gun industry uses fear to persuade women to buy a handgun.
``They're very open about the fact this is not just about bringing women in to enjoy hunting and the like, but that there is a very political aspect,'' said Violence Policy Center executive director Josh Sugarmann. ``The bottom line is guns are being sold because a gun owner is more likely to be a gun voter.''
But there's no debate on politics at the Nashville conference -- just lots of gun talk, surrounded by field trips to the Grand Ole Opry and other tourist sites.
``This is not really a shooting convention; it's more of a get-together conference,'' said Dallas resident Nancy Galletta, a member of the Divas, a contingent of women from the Texas Women's Shooting Sports.
``We have so much fun whenever we're together. It's the camaraderie,'' Galletta said. ``It's like a sorority.''
Anytime that happens, my day is off to a good start.
When I married my wife, I got her a Beretta .380. Almost immediately thereafter, she began lusting for my Government Model .45 and I had to fend her off by getting her a .45 Commander. The major reason for this was accuracy and stopping power. She kept saying to me: "If I have to shoot somebody with that little bitty .380, I don't want to also have to stand there all day and argue with him." I conceded the point.
I try real hard to stay out of Memphis the 2nd most violent city in the US as much as possible. I lock my car doors, make sure I've plenty of gas and make sure I can get to my Bersa.
When I first entered medical practice in the 1970s, I was a lefty; I volunteered at the local Planned Parenthood to write birth control pills and treat STDs one day a week as community service. About 6 months later I attended an awards dinner that Planned Parenthood threw for their volunteers. At the dinner, my wife and I were shocked at the PRIDE these people took in announcing how many abortions they did; I never had anything to do with that organization after that dinner. I soon became a conservative and pro-life.
In other words, Mr. BA, you are correct.
I'm gonna go buy some new shoes.........Stay safe !
The legendary Simmerling is one of the smallest .45 ACP's ever made. This incredible vest pocket pistol has a 5-shot capacity, and the first round is carried in the chamber ready for instant use just like a revolver or a larger frame .45 Auto. The LM4 weighs in at just 24 oz., and is only 5.2 x 3.7 inches in size with a thickness of 1 inch. The LM4 will be produced in limited quantities.
I wonder if the media ever tells the full undiclosed truth.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.