About Me

I am also the author of 4 books, available on Amazon, and at many major outlets. I have been contributing writer for Combat Handgun Magazine and Women and Guns Magazine.

I was an instructor for many years, Recently retired.

Thank you for following along with me as this journey continues.

Safe Shooting!



my books

my books
Thoughts, comments and insights for women who shoot and the men who love us!

Friday, December 29, 2017

Profiles in Excellence: Julie Golob


Julie has a long list of accomplishments; Veteran, Mom, Wife, Author, Hunter, Pro Shooter, TV personality, Captain of the Smith & Wesson shooting team, and IPSC World Champion Ladies Classic Division (and probably the nicest shooter on the circuit).  




I have been honored to meet Julie on several occasions and follow her on FaceBook, Twitter, www.juliegolob.com, and YouTube, JulieG.TV.  If this woman has the ability to frown, I’ve never seen it.  She is upbeat, generous of spirit and inspiring.  I learn so much watching her, but never feel like I’m being taught.  She is approachable, funny and most importantly genuine. 




Julie is truly an inspiration for girls and women everywhere.  We’ll probably never rise to her level, but she never makes you feel that way.  This is someone I would love to just sit down for coffee with, not that she has time between her competition schedule, writing, blogging, appearances and spending time with two adorable little ones, teaching them early about gun safety.  It isn’t possible to watch Julie’s vlog and not smile.  She has been nominated for the 2018 NRA Board of Directors.  I support her! 

#JulieGforNRA

to Tell or Not to Tell

There comes a time for every shooter to decide do I tell someone that I like to shoot or that I carry a concealed firearm.  This is a very personal choice, and can have profound consequences.  Just look to media over the past year.  Some very outspoken gun rights advocates have received death threats against themselves and their families.  Some have been forced to move after their addresses were published on social media.

Oh, that’s not me, I’m not a public figure.  Well, that may be, but it doesn’t protect you from bullying behavior from intolerant people.  In my experience, most people are ok or neutral, but I’m not walking around telling everyone or being obnoxiously obvious, either.  People in my office generally know I shoot, have instructor credentials and have written a few books.  I get teased good naturedly at times, people will come for advice.  But not everyone is positive.  There is a woman who is a rabid anti-gun nut.  She states that NO ONE should have a gun, period.  She will make statements like this when I’m nearby.  She will sometimes pose what seems to be a reasonable question, then turn it around into a rant against shooting.  No argument is acceptable; she is against self-defense, hunting and recreational shooting.  This is baiting and bullying, I have to ignore her when she starts in.  Unfortunately, this is not the first time I’ve experienced this type of reaction, and likely won’t be the last.  I had a woman complain that my owning a gun made her feel unsafe.  This was in an office, she had never seen it, they were prohibited on the property.  She had eavesdropped on a private conversation with another co-worker about a trip to the range.  She made a complaint to the company and I nearly lost my job.  Most people are fine, but for the irrational or strongly opinionated, some will stop at nothing to make you regret them find out. 
 
This reaction gets even more extreme when children are around.  Many people support teaching children gun safety, and families enjoying the shooting sports together.  Others see it as child abuse or reckless endangerment.  Just look at some states that are requiring foster parents to remove guns from their homes or not be allowed to provide a loving home to kids who need it.
There are still youth shooting teams, sometimes in schools, sometimes Scouts or other organizations.  But there are parents who would not allow their child to be friendly with another who shoots because they think it is dangerous.  In truth, well trained shooters are safer than the child who stumbles upon a gun with no idea how to use it safely.  But that is logic, and this is an issue often responded to with emotion, not logic. 

Some extremes illustrated here but it happens.  My policy is to not bring it up unless asked.