ProArms News & Views

On Saturday June 26, 2010 we will be hosting a First Shots “Introduction to Handguns” program.
For a short video click here.

About First Shots

When it comes to learning about handguns, shooting and firearms ownership, not knowing how or where to start can be an intimidating hurdle for newcomers. First Shots® provides opportunities to get started and the support to continue in handgun shooting.

At a First Shots seminar, you will get:

• an educational introduction to the safe, recreational use of handguns
• a clear understanding of the local requirements for owning and purchasing a handgun
• individual and group training and shooting range access for continued participation
• shooting sports opportunities for all levels of interest

Join the millions of Americans who enjoy the shooting sports.  Come to our First Shots seminar and give handgun shooting a try.

Visit the First Shots website for more information

I once drove a CandyApple Red Flare Stepside Ford Truck.

It was Sharp and useful.

It also was a male magnet, unfortunately I was getting married.

After marriage I bought a PINK metallic Ford Probe. It also was Sharp and maybe not as practical. But for me and my husband it was great and all we needed.

It attracted men and women.

When it got wrecked (not by me) I bought a Purple Mustang.

Sharp it was.

Maybe not as practical to some, but we had no kids and when we traveled it was great.

It was a women magnet. I do apologize to the friends who bought it. You see he was a college student but also he was spoken for already.

Sorry to his now wife for all the women it attracted. Now I drive a white SUV. Now we could not get all our stuff and everyone else that usually goes places with us in a car. But with the SUV we can all go together at times. Plus all the times we have to carry so much stuff.

It is also sharp and practical.

So getting to the styles of guns that attract different people.

We all have different taste.

Different likes and dislikes.

So what style gun you like is different from me.

BUT THEY ALL MUST BE PRACTICAL AND USABLE FOR THAT PERSON.

I always purchased the vehicle then picked the color. Buy the gun then pick

your options that are available if they have any.  Now getting to the

big fuss about marketing and PINK. Yes pink sells.

Also Hot babes sell. It can also be overdone and stop a sale.

As most of you know we are also in the lawn equipment retail business. Yes they have ads with women on mowers and with chainsaws. And there is no way they could use this equipment with what they have on or don’t have on.

If all the ads are this way it can turn women to another brand.

You would be surprised at the women who purchase and use mowers and chainsaws. They sometimes can be the determining factor if their husband is able to make a purchase. Now getting to the point of advertising and  stereotyping.

Women who shoot, mow use a chainsaw are rough-tough and non feminine.

If women shoot they shoot pink guns or they are rough and tough.

Maybe they are single, or husband is disabled, or no longer with them, so they have to mow, clean the yard, learn to shoot.

They want and need what will work for them when needed. This does not mean design and color can not be added, as long as it does not take away from it being reliable and usable for the person who has to use it.

I personally want to see the ad with the Tarzan man in a lion cloth, or Rambo in colored g-strings with the tanned body shooting the decked out 1911 with faux pearl grips with gold inlaid on the slide. Alligator holster and magazine pouches.

Or the XD with blue flames.

Just my opinion.

Terri

A lot of women will tell you that if someone was going to do their child bodily harm, they would defend their children. Then you ask them, if they were harmed or killed would not that cause harm to your child also?  But when you ask them how they would carry out that defense, everything changes.

Do you carry a gun? Do you carry a knife and know how to use it? Do you have any hand to hand training?

That brings up another question, are you aware of your surroundings? Will you have time to react should trouble come your way?

I found discussing actual events with people where the victim either did not react or did not have the ability to react (gun, knife or physically), really brings self defense to the forefront for women. It makes people think about what happened: How could I have prevented this? How could I have defended myself?

Some excuses:

• “My husband always carries a gun.”
• “I have a gun in the car or in the house.”

Are you always at you husband’s side?
What about a girls’ day out or the gym?
Do you take your car in the store with you?

Have you ever thought about how long it would take to get to your car from inside the mall or just the convenience store when there is an attacker between you and your car?

Your wife has made the choice to carry a firearm for self protection? Guys, we need some help here. We need to practice and learn to be proficient with the chosen firearm. You’ll encounter excuses here, too. “Too much to do (taking care of the entire household is damn near a full time job in addition to work).”  “The house needs cleaning, there are dirty clothes stacking up, there dirty dishes to be washed, dinner to prepare, etc.”

How about a little help around the house to free up a little time to get to the range and not be thinking about all that is waiting for her at home? That will create an opportunity to focus on learning the marksmanship skills that are needed.

Now that we have the time and mindset of learning to shoot this is going to bring up a difficult subject:

Teaching Your Wife to Shoot

The dreaded words, you’re teaching your wife to shoot. Yes it is better if you can get someone else to teach your wife to shoot! But maybe there are no good teachers around your area. Maybe the cost is a major issue.  Whatever the reason, now it is up to you.

I have watched my husband teach women and he is great at it, but when it came to me he SUCKED.

Think of it like a date. When you took your wife out the first time you wanted her to have fun and hopefully, get another date. Or to put it more in your perspective (the man’s) get past first base… and hopefully score. Well, take your wife on a date to the range. Make it fun. Do not bark orders. Slowly show her the right way to do things to get better results. If it feels good and does not hurt her she may want to keep doing it. As she improves she will be willing for more.

Take the time to EXPLAIN why to do it this way. PATIENCE! Then give her time to adjust to that. Remember when you started shooting you did not always have the perfect stance-grip-sight picture-trigger squeeze. So be patient, if you have her working on one thing don’t bark out other commands. Wait then slowly add to the work in progress.

Also remember that everyone is different. What you think would work best may not always be the case. Then stop and do some easy fun drills. Then stop. Remember you want to get lucky tonight.  Go to dinner. Go home. Cook on the grill. Sit down and spend time together. Then she just might be willing to go on a second date.