Gun Training for the Tender-Hearted
Posted on January 7, 2012 by Natalie in In Photos, In Words
While I grew up in a household with guns, I am not, nor was I ever, a hunter. Don’t get me wrong. I like meat. A lot.
However, I like many other women, am a nurturer. I’m a rescuer of all things less fortunate than myself. I don’t kill unless I have no choice.
Unfortunately, my soft heart also got me into trouble as a younger woman because I felt the need to “rescue” certain men as well. With the infinite wisdom that age brings, I can now tell you that those types of men not only do not need to be rescued, but it is likely that if you try, YOU are the one who will need rescuing.
My experience with one of those men in particular led me to purchase my first self-defense handgun. At some point, a profound need for survival awakened in me and I realized that if I was going to get through life, I was going to have to get a lot tougher.
Not wanting to make things worse, I took my first class in Personal Protection with a firearm. It was a turning point in my life.
My journey into the world of guns led me to become a champion for the Second Amendment. I became the Oregon State Coordinator for the Second Amendment Sisters, adeptly fighting for our right to keep and bear arms every day of my life. The job was exhausting, but educational and rewarding.
The really pivotal change in direction came when, somewhere along the line, I was invited to participate as an assistant instructor to teach a group of women how to shoot. It was called “W.E.D. Day”, which stood for Women Empowered for Defense. We took 50 women through the classroom and out to the range. To this day, I cannot think of anything that has been more amazing than watching the faces of those gals as they pulled their first triggers! They were empowered. I was empowered. I was hooked! I immediately started my official training to be an instructor and have been teaching ever since.
Traditionally, we women are taught to be submissive. We are not fighters. We are not killers. However, we live in a world where we MUST be able to protect ourselves. A firearm, with proper training of it’s handler, equalizes us. It gives us the ability to protect those we love as well as our own life. I must stress the “proper training” part though. Having a gun is of absolutely no value unless you know how….and are willing to use it. While it’s perfectly okay to be soft-hearted, to be a rescuer of creatures less fortunate, you must KNOW with all certainty that you are tough enough to shoot without hesitation when necessary. Begin with training. End with training.
Unfortunately, my soft heart also got me into trouble as a younger woman because I felt the need to “rescue” certain men as well. With the infinite wisdom that age brings, I can now tell you that those types of men not only do not need to be rescued, but it is likely that if you try, YOU are the one who will need rescuing.
My experience with one of those men in particular led me to purchase my first self-defense handgun. At some point, a profound need for survival awakened in me and I realized that if I was going to get through life, I was going to have to get a lot tougher.
Not wanting to make things worse, I took my first class in Personal Protection with a firearm. It was a turning point in my life.
My journey into the world of guns led me to become a champion for the Second Amendment. I became the Oregon State Coordinator for the Second Amendment Sisters, adeptly fighting for our right to keep and bear arms every day of my life. The job was exhausting, but educational and rewarding.
The really pivotal change in direction came when, somewhere along the line, I was invited to participate as an assistant instructor to teach a group of women how to shoot. It was called “W.E.D. Day”, which stood for Women Empowered for Defense. We took 50 women through the classroom and out to the range. To this day, I cannot think of anything that has been more amazing than watching the faces of those gals as they pulled their first triggers! They were empowered. I was empowered. I was hooked! I immediately started my official training to be an instructor and have been teaching ever since.
Traditionally, we women are taught to be submissive. We are not fighters. We are not killers. However, we live in a world where we MUST be able to protect ourselves. A firearm, with proper training of it’s handler, equalizes us. It gives us the ability to protect those we love as well as our own life. I must stress the “proper training” part though. Having a gun is of absolutely no value unless you know how….and are willing to use it. While it’s perfectly okay to be soft-hearted, to be a rescuer of creatures less fortunate, you must KNOW with all certainty that you are tough enough to shoot without hesitation when necessary. Begin with training. End with training.
Bio:
Lisanne Dickenson
I was born & raised in the beautiful, green Willamette Valley in Oregon.
First and foremost, I’m a wife & the mother of 3 lovely daughters and a newly adopted 8 year old son.
My passions lie in my work as a firearms instructor and in my animals. I’m an avid cowgirl and can
spend hours on my horse, more at home there than on my own two feet! I was raised with guns, but didn’t really
start shooting until I was in my adult years. Now, I can honestly say that I’m hooked. I love to shoot!
I love shooting for fun, for competitions, and for training. I like new guns…and I like old guns. Guns are just
plain fun! I am fortunate that in Oregon, we have fairly good Concealed Carry laws. Unless you’re a felon or
have a serious recent criminal record, you can legally carry your firearm for protection. Training women to
empower & protect themselves is an achievement that I am very proud of!
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I worked as a balloon runner for one of the Alberta Mounted Shooter’s Society’s events last summer… If I had a horse, I would so love to do this!
I too, was not raised around guns except that my dad hunted. Unfortunately I was put in a situation where I needed protection so I learned how to safely operate a gun, but in the process discovered that I like the shooting sports! Now, I compete in IDPA with my husband, son and son-in-law and we have a hoot together. (Eastern term for “a lot of fun”.)
However I do now carry a firearm for protection and feel very comfortable with it.
Great article. Go Cretia! I used to love to hunt and it doesn’t mean you aren’t a sensitive person! One of my friends is a Vegan and she just loves to shoot and gets a lot out of it!
I’ve not eaten meat in about 18 years. I got a CPL, I shoot regularly, and I got my NRA certifications for instructor and chief range safety officer. Oddly enough, the guy who taught my classes was also a vegetarian. We’re everywhere! And we’re just like normal people.
Hi Cretia:)
My daughters all hunt and they love it too! I’m perfectly okay with that. We can always use the meat. I actually shot my first buck last month. (Well…okay, so it was lying in the road because someone hit it with their car…and I was just putting it out of it’s misery…but it was still a buck! Lol!) I’m hoping that it’s the last one I have to shoot. (I know, I’m a big sap!)
We women really could take care of ourselves, couldn’t we?
I love that you say, ” I LOVE to hunt and do so responsibly.” That is awesome! I hope you have daughters, because you’re a great role model.
“While it’s perfectly okay to be soft-hearted, to be a rescuer of creatures less fortunate, you must KNOW with all certainty that you are tough enough to shoot without hesitation when necessary. Begin with training. End with training.”
Very nice. I like that.
Sometimes we MUST be able to pull the trigger, whatever the situation. It’s good seeing someone else training with that theory. After all, we’re not trying to make killers, we’re trying to make protectors.
I guess I’m a select few. Born and raised in Texas and will probably never leave, I LOVE to hunt and do so responsibly. The meat saves us so much money year round. I grew up with guns of all kinds and my daddy put one in my hands when I was just a toddler. I married the best man ever whom became the Po-Po and has the same passion for hunting and guns that I do, probably more. That being said, I have the biggest heart and am the biggest nurturer. I love animals of most kind. I have rescued so many and would have a ton if I could afford it. I can be the most giving, caring, loving person one could know when it comes to humans and animals. I do have to say that I am a great shot that I’ve been told I got naturally, but I like to give my hubs credit for making me better with his being a Fire Arms Instructor on top of his many other titles. Oh and I have passed down that same love for hunting and shooting to our daughters.
This morning I had my first gun safety, handling, & shooting lesson. I love it. Was scared to death of guns; never been around guns. Have a wonderful son-in-law, a trained sniper, who is encouraging me to learn to handle a gun. Two more shooting sessions before my CHL class on Sunday. This is all new for this Grandmother and am so excited.
You should be so proud of yourself! We sure are!
Go Marilyn! That’s awesome:)My first student was a 78 year old woman whose husband had passed and left her his pistol. She was living alone and needed the protection…so she decided to learn to shoot. By the time we were done, she took her target home and put it on her door! She was an amazing shot:)