Wow, her weak hand thumb is in a bad position, and as a result her grip is way too low on the frame. Fortunately the Ruger has a high backstrap or she would be seeking medical aid for a sliced thumb!
Superb photographic evidence that seeking competent instruction is critical to learning the proper operation of firearms.
I suspect that most of the competent firearms safety instructors have long since fled California as the legislature and cities have steadily tightened the screws on lawful gun ownership.
She's going to try somebody else's pistol at the range, and get a nasty cut.
I noticed her grip immediately. I emailed the author of this piece and asked her to have Ms. Hurst get some additional training to adjust her grip.
A family member or friend who is knowledgeable can teach someone the basics of the individual gun they have.
.It's not like they are going to go out in the streets as professionals do,kick down doors and fight crime or fight gun battles. Most simply just want to be able to protect themselves in their home.
I do not think it ought to be required to take a firearms course to own a weapon.
There are people from from their teens through their eighties who have and do defend themselves and their families effectively on a daily basis if you read some of the self defense news articles available.
While professional instruction is a plus and is desired if it can be afforded it should not stop someone from being able to defend themselves.
As for the lady in the photograph she is at least doing one of the most important and most often neglected things that is required to be competent with a handgun and that is practice.
Yes her thumb from the photograph [though they can be deceiving at times] is in a bad position. however we do not know it is her weak hand as I look I think what I see which makes it look odd is the grip of a southpaw or left-handed person. Two members of my family are left-handed and if this is the case at least it explains the left thumb on top.
We also do not know at what stage this person is in with her association with firearms and she may be firing for the first time and in the presence of someone who is giving her instruction.
I do not want the elderly who are one of the high risk groups to be targeted by criminals or women to think that learning to defend yourself requires some big expensive training course to be able to defend yourself with a handgun nor should they be required to complete some rigorous course that may be beyond their physical ability to do so.
. If we are not careful we will regulate the ones who need it the most out of the right and ability to defend themselves ie: the frail, the elderly, women, and the handicapped.