Target Practice for Self Defense

Is target practice really necessary for women, or men with the self defense gun? It would seem that this would increase the user's ability, confidence, and practice would be necessary for good comfort level.

Thought for the day: "Practice using your firearm at a gun range regularly."

Orienting toward the 'right' handgun for the individual including the comfort level that goes along with practice, and the proficiency that results is important. The biggest challenge should be scheduling the time or finding the partner to accompany you to the range. A mentor, or someone with equal experience. That's for you to decide.

Take time for practice, at least every month or so. There's more places to practice at both indoor and outdoor ranges than you might expect. Check it out. For women involved in shooting sports, this is basic to keeping proficient, and practiced!

As a sidenote worth mentioning: Michelle Chihara promotes BOW, an organization for women interested in the outdoors, many of whose husbands or male family members are actively involved in the fishing, hunting and other activities. The organization, and its members, attempt to break away from the traditional thought of many outdoor activities being passed down, from father to son. She describes the group's members, now in 44 states and counting, along with some colorful descriptions and environmental backdrops in her web-based article. That work, including Chihara's related thoughts, is entitled: "Crashing the gunclub."

A Gun for Self Defense

What level of comfort would be provided by a mace, or a loaded gun in the home? What are the perspectives of women on this question? Most women choose to not deal with deterrents for 'bad guys' due to their philosophy, comfortable lifestyle or other circumstances, and others often leave their dwelling with a 9-volt powered siren, or coach's whistle to alert others for possible help, during a crisis.

Woman Soldier Receives Silver Star
Our Patriotic Hat is Off to You!











A soldier, Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, who fought insurgents in close combat outside Baghdad, is the first woman to receive the Silver Star since World War II. Ooo-ah!

The 23-year-old National Guard soldier, originally from Bowling Green, Ky., and more recently Nashville, won the award for skillfully leading her team of military police soldiers in a counterattack after about 50 insurgents ambushed a supply convoy they were guarding on March 20, 2005.

The narrative accompanying Sgt. Hester’s citation reads: Sergeant Leigh A. Hester is cited for conspicuous gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with anti Iraq forces (AIF) as a team leader for Raven 42B, 617th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion (Airborne) stationed at Camp Liberty, Iraq on 20 March 2005, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The team’s mission was to assist Raven 42 in searching the Eastern Convoy Route for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and provide additional security to sustainment convoys traveling through their area of responsibility.

Guns and Aggression

What is it about Men and 'guns' that is a turn-off or has women detest a hobby related to a handgun, rifle or shotgun? There are aggressive men involved with guns and shooting sports, no doubt about that part. When people yell at the tv or radio during a football or other sports event, this is a form of aggression, right? So, is there a balance here of what is healthy, if there's a main stream, or how do you view this interest that men or women have with shooting sports. Some even carry a permit for a gun that sits under the car seat (CCW). Sure, some men are compensating for insecurity. The regular reasons stem from an outlet that provides an interesting distraction from a mundane job, or routines of cutting grass, or performing chores around the house. Some find a level of excitement in regular practice and the proficiency that can be derived from the activity. The same reasons often apply to women.