A woman's perspective on firearms, or what equalizes them all
Just remember that as a female, you’re a target.” This has been something I’ve been fully aware of for the past decade or so, and a mid-July conversation with my father served as yet another reminder. I am a short female, standing at about five feet tall, so I sometimes think about how I’d be able to defend myself should an attacker choose me as their victim. I have a higher-than-average history with martial arts, but realistically I know I wouldn’t stand a chance against an ordinary man. It seems my parents understood this as well and ensured that my sister and I learned how to handle firearms growing up. From joining a riflery team with my local 4-H club to shooting with my family to taking an all-female firearms seminar in college, I am comfortable using firearms and have faith that I could defend myself should I need to.

Unfortunately, not everyone has had experiences like mine growing up. Several of my female friends become uncomfortable and squeamish when the topics of gun handling and self-defense arise. To that, I usually respond with another quote my father likes to say: “guns are the great equalizer between males and females.” For example, shooting sports like target and trap shooting are some of the only sports where males and females are on an even playing field, as success is about proper technique rather than biological advantages. In another vein, if an experienced female with a gun was put in a life-threatening situation against a man with a gun, she would be able to hold her own and could definitely get out of the situation alive and unharmed. I shudder at the sheer number of women who are unwillingly put in situations where a gun could be used to their benefit, yet the stigma around female gun ownership prevents their self-preservation. This is why I practice shooting and why I urge my female friends to learn how to handle firearms and practice their aim, because it could quite literally save their lives one day. The two unfortunate factors in this equation are that ammunition prices have skyrocketed over the past few years, and many females are scared to even touch a loaded firearm; so how do we solve this problem?

Simulation training systems fix both of these issues in one go, and programs like the Strikeman laser firearms training system could be the future of firearms. I learned how to shoot different kinds of guns by dry firing dozens of times before ever loading the gun, but the main problem was that I had no idea if my accuracy was good or not before shooting my first bullet. In fact, I’m sometimes nervous to even think about the amount of money going “down the drain” with each missed shot. Training systems like Strikeman allow the user to train accuracy while dry firing, so that when the user eventually uses real ammunition, they won’t worry about “wasting” it as they train accuracy. Another reason why this type of training is so good for new gun owners is that it eliminates the intimidating part of learning how to shoot a gun. Through the practice of dry firing, those that are hesitant to handle a firearm don’t have to worry about the “scary” parts of gun handling, such as firing real bullets or accidental discharges and jams. Instead, they can focus on becoming familiar with their chosen firearm and learn how to improve alongside it. This is the exact type of program I would recommend to my female friends, as it can build their confidence with handling firearms while simultaneously building their skills.
I understand how unpredictable and dangerous the world can be, and although I do my best to stay away from scenarios that could put my life in danger, I have no control over what a stranger or an animal might do to me or those I care about. This is why I stay prepared. This is why I don’t live in fear about becoming another statistic. I know, through firearms training, that I have the power to protect my property, my friends, my family, and my life.