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Ms., Armed “Freedom of choice” I can get behind.
National Review Online ^ | 9/24/02 | Elizabeth A. Fitton

Posted on 09/24/2002 6:54:26 AM PDT by FreedomWarrior

Elizabeth A. Fitton

September 24, 2002 9:00 a.m.

Ms., Armed “Freedom of choice” I can get behind.,

eing a National Review employee has its perks — intelligent daily discourse, relaxed work environment, good people, WFB parties, etc. But I never imagined NR would put a firearm in my hand. Through connections here, I recently had the opportunity to participate in a free rifle lesson in New York City sponsored by Women on Target.

Women on Target is a branch of the National Rifle Association that seeks to educate and train women on the use of guns, specifically for recreational purposes. They arrange events such target shooting and women-only hunting trips. Its main goal is to get more women involved in the shooting sports, but its motto "Refuse to Be a Victim" indicates that self-defense is another inevitable goal.

I was not raised around guns and had never even held one. I admit, too, I had reservations about the NRA. But I was determined to conquer my fear, and make my own decisions about the organization and its issues. I was among about 17 other women, most of us novices, and all of whom were average women, of various ages, attracted to idea of learning how to use a firearm.

Amy Heath, the event coordinator and an energetic spirit behind Women on Target in New York City was surprised at the turnout for the free lesson. "It was mainly word of mouth," she said. "I sent an e-mail to friends, and they sent it out to other friends." Everyone thinks that there is no interest in New York City in the shooting sports, but the success of these free clinics, Heath points out, belies that belief. "There is a waiting list for the next event."

We sat through an hour-long seminar with a NRA trainer who introduced us to the meaning of calibers and the origin of the phrase "lock, stock, and barrel." He explained in detail the safety precautions gun users should take and cleared up several myths about gun accidents, such as a gun going off by itself. As the lecture continued, fear was transforming to eagerness. We put on our goggles and ear protection and went off to shoot.

I was paired with a woman who looked a little too well primped for 8 A.M. on a Saturday, but her bull's eyes were incredible. My instructor — a trained marksman — was a woman. When I finally held the .22 rifle myself (you don't need a permit to fire a rifle at a shooting range; to fire a pistol, however, you need a permit, $300, and ample patience waiting for your application to get processed), I was shaky, but that first shot was something I won't forget. I started to get the hang of it, and, like a child, was anxious for my turn to come around again.

There was a part of me that felt like I had done something naughty. Maybe it was the basement where the shooting range is located. Maybe it was the indoctrination that guns are bad; they kill. And yet there I was, a straight-laced nerd wielding a weapon. It seemed like I was suddenly admitted to a dubious, underground secret society.

I got over it though. The "evil" mystique quickly faded. When I took hold of the gun, I did not suddenly harbor murderous thoughts. My demeanor did not change. I did not become enraged. If anything, I felt more responsible — more respectful of the power of a gun — than I had before, when I was afraid to go near one. I am trying to avoid the word "empowering," but it really felt that way.

For many women, knowing how to use a gun is consoling in an unsafe world. Between 15 and 20 million American women own a firearm. The growth of groups such as Women on Target and Second Amendment Sisters are further indicators that women and guns is an increasingly popular combination. Gun opponents insist the Second Amendment is outdated, that we don't live in the same society that we once did. They're right about the latter. More women live alone, and there are more single mothers than ever before. The police can't be everywhere at once as evidenced by the unsolved serial murders of women in Baton Rouge, La., where Governor Mike Foster has reminded women about their Second Amendment rights. And I should be able to walk to my car in the mall parking lot or a train station after sunset (or before) without being terrified.

I don't think that every man, woman, and child should carry a firearm. I think there should be background checks, and different communities have different standards. I do believe that trained, licensed women have a right to protect themselves by carrying a gun if they choose. Like driving a car, she should take lessons in handling and firing a gun, as well as self-defense instruction and the use of common sense. According to award-winning criminologist and ACLU member Gary Kleck, firearms are used defensively 2.5 million times a year, and in 48 percent of those incidents, the defenders are women. Women use firearms to prevent rape 204,000 times every single year and most of the time a shot is never even fired. Most attackers are not going to bother pursuing prey who pose a fatal challenge.

As we reconvened for closing remarks at the end of our lessons, all the women were smiling, joking, and just more comfortable and relaxed. We hardly became expert marksmen, knowing we still had much more training ahead of us. Many of us walked away somewhat transformed; we had tried something new, and came away a little stronger, a little smarter, and a little more independent. Not bad for a Saturday morning.

Annie Oakley, America's legendary female sharpshooter, exemplified with class that girdles and guns are not mutually exclusive. She, however, always insisted that women, even gunslingers, comport themselves like ladies. Unfortunately, that's not always realistic. In an unsafe world, women should have the power to defend themselves; groups like Women on Target, who seek to teach women to wield that power responsibly, should be encouraged rather than demonized.


TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; armed; banglist
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To: Cicero
Excellent metaphor, the camel & the tent: it works both ways. Once this woman goes past getting her nose out of the tent, she'll be able to see the light of day!

That's what the Brady Bunch fears the most, informed citizens.
21 posted on 09/24/2002 10:02:03 AM PDT by Redbob
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To: Chemist_Geek
I also have donated time as an instructor for the Women on Target session at my local range. The best experience of the day was a young woman early twenties I guess who we got hitting bullseyes before she left the firing line. When she came in she was totally anti-gun when she left she was litterarally jumping up and down with excitement at hitting her target.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

22 posted on 09/24/2002 10:08:20 AM PDT by harpseal
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To: Redbob
Arent' those Hillary's eyes?
23 posted on 09/24/2002 10:09:24 AM PDT by areafiftyone
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To: Sloth
It's good that she came around, somewhat. What I find very alarming is how may still share her (formerly) ill-conceived notions?
24 posted on 09/24/2002 10:33:37 AM PDT by banjo joe
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To: banjo joe
Is this Tom Fitton's wife? You know Tom. He's Larry Klayman's second at Judicial Watch.
25 posted on 09/24/2002 11:07:41 AM PDT by STD
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To: Vic3O3
Seems the media want the American people to think ALL women are terrified of guns...

But they end up as converts, don't they?

Every time one of these fearful ladies fires and comes out convinced and empowered, we all come out better.

I'll cut her considerable slack regarding her 2A views compared to some 'long-time' NRA member who thinks background checks and licensing are just fine.

26 posted on 09/24/2002 11:13:55 AM PDT by Eagle Eye
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To: SauronOfMordor
In NYC, you need an expensive and hard-to-get license to OWN a pistol (which may NOT legally be kept loaded in the home, and may only be loaded at the firing range).

does this mean I can't even rent a pistol at the range?

27 posted on 09/24/2002 3:02:20 PM PDT by fourdeuce82d
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To: fourdeuce82d
does this mean I can't even rent a pistol at the range?

In NYC, I doubt it. But just across the river, in NJ, renting pistols at the range is very legal, so you can just go there.

28 posted on 09/24/2002 3:19:19 PM PDT by SauronOfMordor
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To: fourdeuce82d
Come to AZ, and you can rent any full-auto weapon you like :)
29 posted on 09/24/2002 3:54:57 PM PDT by Britton J Wingfield
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