No secret that us girls say some weird things to each other, and at the range is no different.   In fact at the range I think we kick it up a notch, as I have heard... well ok, have been involved... ok instigated some very distinct conversations that you might not never hear anywhere else.  Last year at this time I was in Tulsa OK for the 2014 IDPA Nationals not only to participate in a sport I love, but to host the first all ladies squad at an IDPA Nationals. One of my shooting girlfriends from A Girl & A Gun Lynn Lonegran and I were working  the event and had the good fortune to be squadded together for the staff shoot.  We weren't 10 mins into getting on our gear before the funny comments which were not meant to be funny started coming.  We shared some giggles and thought it would be fun to keep track of things we said throughout the event.  

It was HOT the first two days that these set of comments were collected

• My underwear is sticking to my ass
  
• I already have boob sweat
  
• My eyelash is stuck to my skin
  
• I'm afraid to pee because I can't get my pants back up 
  
• Don't worry we all stink
  

Cute things girls do is talk in unison, like saying thank you after range briefs or when the water guy made rounds. 
Share frustrations like "My hair keeps falling down" and keep extra an extra bra in the range bag because you just never know when you might need that.  

Then the next two days were COLD and comments transitioned to "Its so cold my legs sprouted hair" and other things I shouldn't really say out loud.  

It is so much fun to shoot with women you love and that you can be yourself.  

What does the bad guy look for in a victim?  
Most crimes are random acts of opportunity.  When criminals set out to victimize someone, there are things they look for like people who are not paying attention to what is going on around them, appears to have a lot of money or expensive jewelry, or someone who looks easy to control.  By carrying a kubotan on your key ring lets the bad guy know that you have a weapon, which means you have thought about how to defend yourself.  It is an outward sign that you are not an easy mark and maybe they should keep looking.  In the Lets Get R.E.A.L. course, we discuss all these issues and more on how to avoid being the target of a violent crime. 

How do I keep my kids safe from my self defense tools?  
As with anything, you need to have a routine and rules.  Establish the rule that no one goes into your purse, laptop bag or where ever you choose to store the gun, taser or pepper spray for the day, without asking your permission first.  When you get home take out your gun, taser or pepper spray and properly secure it for the evening.  You set a routine to wash your face and brush your teeth right?  Well set the routine with your self defense tools as well.

How do I use a Kubotan?  
The most basic applications involve striking or poking vulnerable areas of the body with the Kubotan. Generally speaking, swinging strikes work better against bony surfaces while fleshy areas are more susceptible to pokes and jabs with the ends of the Kubotan. The Kubotan greatly intensifies the destructive power of any blow.  There are many worthy targets on the body: the shin, hip bone, collarbone, ankle, and kneecap are all desirable targets. A sharp crack to a bony area will prompt an assailant to discontinue his attack. A harder, well placed blow can easily break bones--especially if the force of the blow is not diminished by clothing.

Should I carry a Knife?  
A knife comes in handy for all sorts of random tasks that involve separating matter.  Like cutting a string, or making a sandwich, or opening a package.  It can also come in handy in an emergency which by their nature are unforeseen, for example having a car accident where you need to cut yourself out of the seat belt.   When used in self defense, a knife is a very useful tool of course with the proper training.   So one should carry a knife all the time.

Pepper Spray really?… I am afraid I will spray myself!  
There are many different ways that pepper spray is packaged from look-a-like perfume and lipstick to containers with safety levers in place.  If you carry a look-a-like product make sure that take precautions for friends or children that might get into your purse.  There is always a chance to have “back spray” get you if you use the pepper spray in the breeze.  A foam product eliminates that problem, but tends to be packaged in a bigger container.  

If I want a Gun, how do I carry the gun safely and legally?  
To use the handgun appropriately takes training, and more importantly, confidence.  You can learn to properly use a gun, clean a gun, even how to shop for a gun, and what makes all that happen is a positive mental attitude.  To carry the gun legally you take the Texas Concealed Handgun License course and meet the requirements to apply for the license.  There are many options for training, it is encouraged that you learn to shoot from a certified instructor. Finding the right instructor is an important component  Make sure the instructor you choose teaches in alignment with your goals, morals and will meet your expectations. 

What is the difference between a stun gun and a taser?  
Both TASERs and stun guns are electronic control devises (ECDs). The TASER is capable of creating neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) by shooting two needle like barbs connected by a wire to the handheld device into the skin, whereas stun guns only create pain and need to be held to body for 5-7 seconds to work.

While I was at the 2014 Indoor Nationals this past February, I was chatting with Joyce Wilson, Executive Director of IDPA and I had a flash in my brain (which happens a lot when I'm chatting with "Industry People" about the things I am most passionate about- women and the shooting sports).  I asked her if there had ever been an all ladies squad at Nationals, she said no, I immediately said can I bring one?  She gave her blessing and sent me over to IDPA HQ for the final approval and logistics.  

I made the announcement at the A Girl & A Gun Women's Shooting League National Conference a few weeks later. With over 2000 members in our organization, filling 12 spots on a squad was not going to hard, but I wanted it to be fair and something that everyone had a real opportunity at.  The rules were simple: Be a member of AG & AG and IDPA, Shoot the 1 stage qualifier... and that is it.  We did not keep record of time/points, it was just a matter of participation.  Then the names of the women who participated were in the pot for a random draw. By July we had our squad and were ready to make history (or Herstory)

My main goal was to introduce the amazing experience of a major match to our members who didn't know what they were missing out on!  I successfully met that goal!  The 12 woman that were on the team were in different stages of their competitive shooting journey.  Some new to the sport with 6 months experience, others with a few years under their belts.  None of them had been to a Nationals.  I was extremely proud of them for so many reasons, but most impressive was how well prepared they were.  For weeks they were chatting as a team about what to bring, best equipment, best clothing, best food choices as an athlete, best travel practices, and just about any other thing 12 girls can talk about.  It was like going to camp!  

Our Squad shot 15 stages in one day.  I was worried about them hanging in there for such a long day, but the weather was wonderful, and with all the preparations they took, they sailed through the day like champs.  They asked questions... boy did they!  I called them my chickens.  Our Team Coach Randi Rogers was on hand to make sure they understood how to best approach each stage safely and efficiently.  It was a huge treat to have Randi spend the day with us, she is a wonderful role model and just a really kind person.  

I was on staff for the rest of the match and spent the next two days with two other squads with shooters from around the US and Puerto Rico.  It is always such a fun and rewarding job being Squad Safety Officer, or "Squad Mom" as the shooters call you.  My welcome talk includes that I am there to make their match a great experience, if you need anything I'm your girl.... water, food, potty breaks, to bitch at someone!  I did get to full fill all those needs....but we will leave that story for another time.  

All in all this was my first IDPA Nationals too.  It was amazing experience and I am so happy I got to share it with my AG & AG  sisters and dear friends in the sport.  See ya next year!

Additional thanks goes out to:
Smith & Wesson and Comp-tac for making it possible for Randi Rogers to be our Squad Coach
Allison Neil and Robert Ray, IDPA HQ for guiding us through the process
Brett Russo, Blade-tech gave the girls a swag bag.  

Team member Christy Ross and Husband Gene have wonderful pictures on their blog The Couple That Shoots Together

When The Rolling Stone called and said they wanted to come to my 2nd Annual National Conference for A Girl & A Gun it was thrilling and terrifying all in the same moment.  I feel it is my responsibility to protect the women of my organization especially on such an important weekend of self discovery and education.  The journalist assured me his intentions were good and that he really wanted to experience our event and would do right by us  

Well, I think there was a few spots of "murky" commentary but all in all I fell it is a good article, sparked lots of discussion and was pretty entertaining to read his perspective.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/her-right-to-bear-arms-the-rise-of-womens-gun-culture-20140714#add-a-comment

I have a lot that crosses my mind to talk about... I mean blog about.  By the time I sit down to right, some one else has written something similar, or I don't want to beat a dead horse on the all so common topics in the gun industry...OR what I have to say might ruffle a feather or two.  So I am sitting back watching the world turn, thinking about what is important to talk about, what is not and supporting my colleagues out there who are blogging on some great topics.  

My SHOT Show experience is very different this year.  Instead of walking every aisle looking at everything I possibly can, I'm bouncing from meeting to meeting, squeezing in interviews about A Girl & A Gun, and even have two time slots as a "celebrity appearance" at the Flashbang Holster booth!  

BUT... while I am rushing from place to place my eyes have spied some things! 

There are so many choices that are competing to be my "favorite" of the day.  Shooting the new Glock 42 .380 was a highlight for sure as was the Slidefire.  But my favorite new item debuted was most definitely the Train and Defend Ammunition from Winchester.  

Long story short the guys at Winchester figured out how to match the grain weight of the bullet, powder charge and power factor of practice ammo to be the same as defensive ammo.  This is revolutionary!  What this means is you can work your marksmanship skill sets with cost effective ammunition and carry defensive ammunition that will feel exactly same in regards to performance and recoil.

Think back to when you were a new shooter, maybe attending your first Girl's Night Out at the range, and you were told to just pick up some ammo at your local sporting goods store and head out to the range, we would have a gun waiting there for you to borrow.  The most stressful part is looking at shelf after shelf with boxes of ammo with different grain weight, power factor, velocity, FMJ or Defensive; which one do you get to do target shooting?  Then at some point you decide you are ready for concealed carry, now have to start over again with what ammo to buy to defend your life... and you hear it will be more powerful than your practice ammo and beware of the recoil.  Winchester has answered these questions and made it extremely easy for any handgun owner to pick up practice rounds for the range and transition seamlessly to defensive rounds you carry everyday.  

Don't color code your pants, yellow in the front... brown in the back!  Pay attention and listen up!  I say this because when the body experiences a state of extreme stress or panic, an involuntary bowel movement can happen.  Familiar with the phrase "scared shitless"?  Well it is real but it can be prevent. 

Most people have heard of the color codes of mental awareness.  What most people don't know is that there is a military version and a civilian version of this chart.  Because I like to teach from the "everyday person" perspective, here is a review these color codes as they apply to the private citizen. 

• WHITE- unprepared, not alert to the symptoms of violence
  
• YELLOW- relaxed alertness and preparedness
  
• ORANGE- unspecified alert, something wrong but we don’t know what it is yet.  Perceived threat aka Gut Instinct
  
• RED- initial encounter, you are facing one or more people that you believe have the potential to take your life, or compromise your safety
  
• BLACK- lethal assault in progress
  

Cheat sheet version is this:

• White- you are totally zoned out
• Yellow- paying attention to your surroundings
• Orange- attacker might be there
  
• Red-  attacker is there
  
• Black- attacker is carrying out unlawful action, and you freeze or fight

Self presentation is one of the keys to avoiding criminal confrontation.  Bad guys can sense the difference between an easy prey target and one that will fight back and is prepared.  There is something in the way we walk, talk, look, etc. Pay attention to what is going on around you and present yourself in a confident manner, and you reduce your risk substantially. 

Be safe my friends, and take control of your own personal safety.

For a new shooter to understand what trigger control is, I find it helpful to break it down into a 5 step count down.  The SIRT training pistol is ideal for this exercise, but using your own gun is important to learn your trigger.  Every gun will have a different feel about the trigger, but the process is the same.  

5- Finger on trigger
4- Take up the slack
3- Meet resistance
2- Continue to press with firm and steady pressure
1- Trigger breaks

To learn trigger reset and follow through, steps 3-2-1 are essential. THE IMPORTANT PART....after step 1 (trigger break) DO NOT RELEASE THE TRIGGER. Follow through by  releasing the trigger to the point where you hear or feel a ‘click’ which is actually step 3.  Then repeat steps 2-1, reset to 3, 2-1, reset to 3, 2-1.  Make sense?  Biggest mistake is letting your finger bounce off the trigger, releasing it to the normal position, aka step 5.

To really become one with the trigger, I encourage some dry fire repetitions. Close your eyes and just feel the process happen.  

• If using a SIRT the trigger will automatically function
• When using your real gun  DO NOT RELEASE THE TRIGGER, keep it pulled tightly to the rear. While keeping the trigger depressed, rack the slide so you can experience the exercise the way it is intended.