Women are the new Majority

I'm seeing more and more women in classes, learning, shooting, having fun.
They are strong, independent, smart and armed! 

There was a big gun show this weekend in my area and I saw a lot of women shopping, buying and smiling.  Yep, I always smile at the gun show, kind of "kid in a candy store" smiling.    Today was no different. 

But I really enjoyed seeing the women next to the men, shopping, talking, understanding.  I listened to a few shoppers, and they were asking intelligent questions, making good deals.  I remembered back to my first gun show when so few women were there and even fewer were able to talk with any knowledge. 

It is a great feeling to see women learning, being independent and able to take care of themselves.  The shooting community is a lot like a big family, welcoming, open, helpful...

Be safe, Be smart and Have Fun!!!

Use your Ears!

Hearing Protection, often call “Ears” helps us protect our hearing when we are on the range.  When looking at Ear Muffs, look for at least a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 25 or higher.  Electronic ears, which automatically shut down for loud noises but let you hear the person you are shooting with are great, but tend to be a little more expensive.  Also, you can use foam inserts, under your muffs to double up on protection. 

Lastly, there are custom molded hearing protection, that fit into the ear and block all sounds, they may also be available in an electronic version.  These do require the assistance of a professional, but I love mine!  (They are bright pink and royal blue swirled together. )

Bottom line, decide what you are comfortable with and what your budget can handle.  Even if outdoors, and the range allows it, do not shoot with hearing protection.  Once you lose your hearing due to exposure to loud noises, even partially, it is likely gone for good.  Protect your hearing.

Safe Shooting!

Developing a new class for women...ideas?

I've been working on developing a new class for women, focusing on very basic un-armed personal defense.  Not just physical contact, but more on situational awareness, using your voice, walking with a purpose, not being an easy target, getting creative with avoidance or distraction, some cyber-security, watching your drink when you are out, and, yes, some very basic physical resistance.

I was thinking of adding an optional hour at the end for holsters.  Just the ladies, try on holsters, carry purses, no shooting, no guns, just getting a feel for different types of holsters.  Maybe save someone else from "the holster bag".

That written, I'm asking you for your help.  If you were interested in a women only unarmed basic personal defense course, what would you want to learn?  I'm hoping to make this as helpful as possible and ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, I do think this might be a gateway class for some to bring them to shooting, but even if not, I want to give a good foundation, if only one woman is saved from a bad encounter, it will be worth all the effort.

Thank you!!!

Shooter’s Elbow

Ever hear of it? It is kind of like Tennis Elbow for people who shoot. It is Tendonitis in the upper forearm / elbow. And, it HURTS!! Left untreated, like anything else, it can cause serious injury, so if you find yourself with significant pain that lasts for weeks, visit your Doctor.

Like most cases of tendonitis, the first suggestion was rest and figure out what was causing it. I had already adjusted my keyboard, changed the position of my steering wheel…the only thing I hadn’t done was stop shooting. In fact, some of us are just prone to repetitive motion injuries, and I seem to fall into that group, having had carpal tunnel in both hands.  So…off to my friendly Orthopedic Surgeon. (He and I are on a first name basis.) He confirmed my suspicions, discussed my options, and had the “If it were me…” talk.  I weighed my options and got cortisone injections in both elbows. If you’ve never had the pleasure…well, in a word, OW!!!  I also agreed to stop shooting for a month to see how I did. That was probably harder than the injections. Shooting is my release, it is my chance to shrug off the idiocy of my world and just relax. Ok, I lasted two weeks, but then only 100 rounds, that in about 15-20 minutes.

But, my month is up! I went to the range Saturday and let lead fly for about 30 minutes. I didn’t want to push it too much. It felt WONDERFUL! I learned a few things. First, don’t ignore the pain for three months before going to the Dr. Second, be more aware of taking breaks from those marathon typing sessions, and third…I really do enjoy shooting.  I’m easing back into shooting, I’m a little sore today, but nothing unreasonable.

Do yourself a favor, if you are prone to this type of injury, be mindful of the signs, make adjustments, take breaks, see youe Doctor if it gets worse. Listen to your body, and be well.

Update on National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day

Ranges are starting to sign up, but we haven't listed many yet on the website pending agreements.  I'm hoping that more ranges will sign up early to give them the most time to plan, raise funds and get donations for their events. 

I have sent out a letters to many gun friendly companies in hopes of finding sponsors to help us fund the next years but haven't had much support so far.  I recognize that we do not have our 501c3 status yet, but we can not file until we meet a minimum donation threshold. Then it takes about 9 months before the IRS approves the application.

If you are not familiar with the corporate structure behind NTYDTTRD, it was founded as a non-profit corporation early in 2012.  We have 4 Directors, each with their own area of expertise.  The 2012 event was supported in part by donations, but more than 50% by the Directors, in hopes of getting it started and then securing funding.  What you may not realize is we received more in $5 and 10 donations than we did in large sponsorships. 

Our original goal has not changed.  Teaching safe handling to young people, encouraging families to take not just their sons but their daughters to shoot, and bonding over the fun of shooting sports. 

If we are to continue, and provide much needed support to host ranges, we need help.  We do not charge ranges to host an event as we recognize that they are covering their own expenses.  We would like to be able to provide more promotional materials, prizes and financial support to ranges.  We can't do that with the small amount of money we have saved now (actually, if we reimbursed ourselves for the money we spent out of pocket we would be in the hole, but have opted to consider those funds donations). 

Please visit the website at www.NationalTakeYourDaughtertotheRangeDay.com, like us on FaceBook, and if you have any ideas, suggestions, questions, would like to register your range or can help us financially...please contact us!

Thank you!