What used to be an activity reserved for “the guys,” shooting isn’t exclusive to men anymore. More women are interested in gun ownership and learning to shoot than ever before. Whether you’re a potential mentor or a newcomer, it’s an exciting time to share shooting sports and learn about the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) +One Movement.
One of the best ways to ensure a new female shooter has an enjoyable range experience starts with appropriate safety gear. Eye and ear protection that fits well not only helps protect eyesight and hearing, but together they contribute to making a range session more comfortable, productive and most of all, fun!
Starting with eye protection, choose glasses that are rated for shooting. Look for an ANSI standard rating of “Z87” or “Z87.1” to meet the criteria for impact resistance, coverage area, and lens clarity. Shooting glasses that meet this standard will typically have the rating stamped on the frame or lens.
When it comes to comfort in eyewear, look for thinner temple pieces that won’t interfere with ear muff. Many female shooters will also appreciate an adjustable nose piece on their eye protection. Because women tend to have smaller faces, noses and longer eyelashes, being able to adjust how the glasses sit on the nose is safer and helpful for seeing the sights and the target.
Women tend to be more sensitive to noise. Choosing appropriate hearing protection not only helps prevent hearing loss, but it also helps female shooters maintain focus and helps to reduce flinching or anticipating recoil. It’s useful to bring both earplugs and muffs to the range. Smaller or tighter muffs help provide a good seal for smaller head sizes. Foam earplugs are easy to insert and provide basic protection in most cases, but wearing earplugs and muffs simultaneously is best.
Whether you’re acting as a mentor to a new female shooter or you’re interested in hitting the range as a first-timer, be sure to check out letsgoshooting.org. The site has resources including videos, information on how to find a range near you and ways you can share shooting with the +One Movement.
Julie Golob is one of the most accomplished professional shooters in the world and captain of Team Smith & Wesson. She has won more than 120 championship titles in international, national and regional marksmanship competitions in seven different shooting disciplines. Learn more about the champion, author, veteran, hunter and outdoor television personality at JulieGolob.com. View all posts by Julie Golob
