“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. “
As stewards of the Second Amendment, we have an obligation to share it with others. We must teach about the awesome responsibilities that come with the right to keep and bear arms, on and off the shooting range.
Katie Pavlich is sponsored by Volquartsen Firearms
As I‘ve written about before, women are the fastest growing demographic of gun owners in the country and they aren’t taking their Constitutional rights lightly. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the number one reason women say they become first-time gun owners is for self-defense purposes. Between 2001 and today, female target shooters have increased by 51 percent. The majority of women report they do not buy guns on impulse, but rather consider their purchase for months before making a final decision.
I recently experienced this process firsthand and watched as more than 100 women proudly embraced their Second Amendment rights.
(Bunny Ware photo)
Over a weekend in October, I traveled to Savannah, Georgia, for the first annual Ladies, Ammo & Guns event hosted by the local women’s Republican club. Although classified as a political event, 130 women were in attendance to “lunch and learn” about the U.S. Constitution and the Second Amendment embedded in the Bill of Rights. As the featured speaker, I did my best to offer attendees an informational talk they could apply to their own firearms ownership and journey.
(Bunny Ware photo)
Before and after lunch, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office provided basic firearms training in a classroom and on the range. They split our group into 2 sessions, morning and afternoon. Both were full.
The main message in the classroom focused on mental preparedness and accepting the reality that bad things don’t happen according on our time schedule. Instead, they happen on the clock of criminals who seek to do us harm. Preparation is key to survival when defending yourself or your family in a life-threatening situation.
(Bunny Ware photo)
After about 2 hours of classroom lecture from of the sheriff’s deputies, we hit the range. Women could bring their personal handguns, but .22 Ruger pistols were provided to everyone for basic training. I ended up shooting during the afternoon sessions and got my hands on a Smith & Wesson .38 Special, the .22 and a .380 Sig Sauer with a pearl handle and artfully engraved barrel. The last beautiful gun belonged to a woman who signed up for the event.
Although many women had shot before, a handful of first timers put lead downrange. When asked about their experience, they responded by saying “awesome” and “empowering.” They plan to make it to another class.
Self-defense with a firearm requires an extreme level of personal responsibility, which these women happily embraced. The Second Amendment sisterhood is strong in Savannah, just as it is all over the country.
Katie Pavlich is passionate about shooting and hunting. She’s also an advocate of the Second Amendment over at Townhall.com and FOX News. View all posts by Katie Pavlich
This is very inspirational. Are there any of these types of events in Washington State?