We had such a good time hanging out with the awesome chicks of Women’s Tactical Association and Alpha Girls on this shoot.  Kim Heath is one of their bright shining stars up there in Chicago. This girl is the quintessential badass with a sense of humor as quick as those cat-like reflexes she uses to serve and protect as a police officer in Illinois. I have also personally seen this chick walk a high-fashion runway with ease and style. Expect much more from her at NRA Women’s Network.

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Revolutionary New Safe and Valuables Protection

Payson, Utah, May 9, 2013, Liberty Safe– World famous for their line of super tough reliable firearm safes www.libertysafe.com has devised a revolutionary portable and wireless alarm system in cooperation with Elertus Cloud Services.

SafElert is a compact 3x2x1-inch wireless hi-tech communications device you can employ in any existing safe or any other confined space including your dresser drawers, automobile, liquor cabinet, or even in your refrigerator to catch a secret snacker.

The SafElert is set into any safe or targeted area to be monitored; you arm it and go enjoy your life.

The SafElert will notify you if your safe (any safe) is jarred, hit, pried, moved, opened, over heated, the handle is jostled or most anything else out of the ordinary. Additionally the system will even automatically send you a weekly humidity report from the inside the safe.

“SafElert is another example of Liberty’s innovative thinking in an increasingly complex and dangerous world. We are always looking for ways to better protect what our customer’s value.”–Kim Waddoups, President, Liberty Safes.

The alarm and reports are sent as texts or emailsthrough a Wi-Fi system and received via email messaging and cell/smart phone via Elertus Cloud services. And if any of those systems fails, SafElert will even notify you of that particular failure event when it checks in every hour.  It even notifies you when the batteries are getting low.

You can have up to five people receive this information. So if you forget your cell phone or go on a hunting trip without your electronic toys and an alert comes in, any one of these other people can react to the alarm.

What you need:  A home Wi-Fi network (wireless router) and smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac connected to your wireless router.

Making it work:

2. Sign up at Elertus.com

3. Choose various targeted items to be monitored (heat, movement, humidity, etc.)

4. Place SafElert inside the safe or protected item and you are set.

Specifications:

• Case: Polycarbonate plastic
• Size: 3.1″ long x 2.5″ wide x 1.05″ high
• Weight: 2.5 oz. (without batteries)
• Power: Two AA 1.5 Volt alkaline batteries (generally last one year)
• Heat range: -30 to +150 Degrees F
• Humidity range: 0-100%
• MSRP: SafElert unit, $199.00
• Monitoring: The SafElert communicates via wireless electronic communication to the Elertus 24-hour 365 day Internet Cloud Service monitoring for as low as $39.95 a YEAR! That’s only about $3.30 a month!
• Available though all Liberty Safe Dealers www.libertysafe.com

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Kel-Tec P-11 9mm

Each gun, just like any other tool, has a specific implementation and as I am sure you know by now, there is a vast variety of them out there for your shooting pleasure. If you are like me, though, all of those choices can start to get a little overwhelming. But fear not! I have some advice that will aid you in finding the right gun. I will also list a few of my favorite female friendly firearms as well as a few recommended by the readers.

Shopping for a gun, as my friend Gracie from Packing Pretty says, is like shopping for a pair of jeans, new shoes or a new bra. You have to try several to be able to find the right one. Guns are very personal pieces of machinery and you need to be feel comfortable shooting the one you ultimately choose. The primary factors that play in to choosing a firearm to purchase are the following: Purpose, Comfort and Cost.

Purpose

What will your gun be doing? Do you want to use it for concealed carry, home defense, hunting, or just for fun? Many guns can be used for more than one purpose (ie, home defense + hunting, concealed carry + etc), but most of them have a specifically designated purpose.  The more involved you become in the shooting sports, you will inevitably find that you need more than one gun to satisfy all your firearm needs. But dont let that overwhelm you. Start here:

Below is a list of some of the best guns for women as recommended by readers.

Concealed Carry

.380 Caliber:Ruger LCP**, Sig Sauer P238**, Walther PPK, Bersa Thunder, Diamondback DB380, S&W Bodyguard, Sig Sauer P232

Smith & Wesson 642 Revolver

9mm: Kahr CM9 or PM9, Smith & Wesson Shield**, Beretta Nano**, Kel-Tec P-11, Ruger LC9, Ruger SR9C,

.45 Caliber: Springfield XDs**, Glock 21,

Revolver: Smith & Wesson 642**, Taurus M327,

**Voted among the best concealed carry for women in an informal Girl’s Guide Poll

Click here for a more extensive list of common concealed carry firearms for women from the makers of the Flashbang Bra Holster (fyi: there is a photo of the bra holster in use on a live female on this page.)

Home Defense

Many people choose a shotgun for home defense, though others prefer rifles or handguns.

Shotguns: Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Browning Citori 725, Winchester SX3

Hunting

This area is pretty technical and I will let the hunters weigh in on this in the comments below.

Fun/Target shooting (paper, steel, skeet and trap)

All of the above!

Comfort

Grip- This is a major factor that I cannot emphasize strongly enough. The gun should feel comfortable in your hand and equally as important, you need to feel comfortable shooting it. If you aren’t comfortable shooting it, you won’t practice and practice is imperative.

Weight- Train with your prospective gun. Shoot and handle it for at least an hour or two to know whether you like the weight of it.

Control/Snapiness- Can you control the gun effectively when firing it? Can you keep the muzzle from popping upward?

Ruger LCP with a Hogue grip

Training will help quite a bit in this area, but be observant of this factor with every gun you try.

Hogue Grips is a fantastic company that can help you with any issues you may find with the grip of the gun you choose. For instance, many people find the Ruger LCP to be perfect for their conceal carry needs, but a difficult gun to grip.  Hogue has created a customized rubber grip to solve that problem.

Cost

The financial piece is a big one for most of us these days. You want to stay within your budget, of course, but the last thing you want to do is compromise safety by buying an inadequate gun. There are a couple of ways to find a reasonably-priced firearm without putting your safety at risk. Namely, I would check out the USED selection at gun stores, look online, hit up gun shows, auctions, estate and yard sales. Any time you are buying a previously owned firearm, I suggest that you have a friend or relative who is knowledgeable about guns check out the used firearm you are eyeing before you buy.

Here is a short list of reputable online firearm dealers:  GunBroker.com, BudsGunShop.com, GunUp.com

Do not forget to include the price of ammo in your decision. For instance, .22 is a wonderful, inexpensive caliber. I love to practice on paper with a .22, but it does not pack the punch that a .380, 9mm or .45  will. Many people like the 9mm because the ammo is plentiful and less expensive than, say, the .45.

There is so much to know about this subject and we are really just scratching the surface here. Talk to your friends, send me a message here or on facebook or twitter, and definitely ask the people behind the counter at the gun store if you have additional questions. And if the people behind the counter are not cool, find another gun store. There is no need to put up with prejudice or bad customer service.

Now go practice!! Shooting is a perishable skill and it is key that you maintain your ability. I like to take a class at least every 6 months to keep my skills sharp. If you need a group to go shoot with in your area, check out A Girl & A Gun Shooting Clubs around the country.  And if you can’t find one, start your own! Also, find a list of ranges and class providers here.

NOTE: This article is a work in progress. If you would like to see a firearm or section added, please comment below.

The Wedding Dress Moment

When a gal tries on wedding dresses, they’re ALL pretty, and white, and they make you look like a princess. But there’s ONE that causes light to shine down from Heaven and the angels start singing and you know that its THE ONE.
Same thing happens with guns! They’re all kinda cool looking…they go *bang* when you pull the trigger, but every now and then you’ll run across one that makes you shoot straighter and gives you that feeling of an angelic choir in full “Laaaaaa!” When that happens…..GET THAT GUN!!!  - Lisa Looper, creator of the Flashbang Bra Holster

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The darker the green, the higher the online sales.

Check out the full article here:

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/2012-ammo-stats/

Percentage of ammo size sold.

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NSSF’s Range Directory Goes Mobile; Other Features Include Video Tips, News and Safety Info

	Scan the QR code to download the app

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) today announced the launch of “Where2Shoot,” a mobile app now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Read the full article here.

HT: Julie Golob

Natalie’s Commentary/Review:

True to NSSF form, this app is awesome. I have yet to see anything like it for the world of firearms. It is incredibly exciting to see the gun community embrace this technology. We are making progress, people!

Where2Shoot has everything you need to digitally prepare for the range. You can find high quality video full of shooting tips from experts in the Tips section and vital basic safety rules under the Safety tab. The primary selling point of this app is, of course, its GPS-guided list of contact info for ranges near you. If you spend a lot of time traveling or happen to have moved recently, this feature can help you find a new place to hone those perishable shooting skills. The only area in which I can see room for improvement when they update the app is this: I would like the location of the ranges to be connected to the Maps app so you can access directions immediately without having to copy and paste address information. Other than that, I am very impressed with their work.

Best part of Where2Shoot – it is FREE! If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, I highly recommend making this little advancement part of your app collection.

Where2Shoot is the comprehensive app that the firearms community has so desperately needed. Kudos to NSSF for making this happen!

UPDATE: I just heard from the NSSF and they are working on an Adroid app that will be out this summer.

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The proprietor of Pretty Dangerous, Julie Ruster-Price, and I began a conversation about the origin of her business and found out that this chick has walked a pretty interesting road.

Julie has a long history in the fashion and merchandising industries, which served her well when it came time to create the custom holsters that are at the center of the Pretty Dangerous line. Like many of us, Julie appreciates beauty and has a refined aesthetic honed over a lifetime of being a girlie girl. Few of us, however, choose to take the step of a second career as a police officer. That is exactly what Julie did. She notes that she loved being a police officer, but an injury and the unexpected passing of her mother lead her to her latest career path; that of an entrepreneur.

Julie Ruster-Price

Julie started down the road of designing the Pretty Dangerous signature holsters after finding that she was unhappy with the options that were on the market at the time.

As a police officer, I had more basket weave than I knew what to do with and if I had to stare at the color blue any longer I was going to scream. I wanted something pretty and simple that would protect the trigger of my gun.

After a little market research, Julie realized that other women were looking for the same thing.  Julie got creative and began to experiment with various shapes, leathers and colors. It took her a couple of tries on the manufacturing side, she says, but the third time was indeed the charm. “I finally have the safe, luxurious product I have been looking for.”

So why all the effort for an item that few people will ever see? “Not many people see it, but I see it,” she says. “It makes me feel good to carry it.”

In addition to the holsters, Julie also offers a purse and super cute clothing options on the website.

Julie credits her supportive husband and the memory of her mother as motivating factors in the long and fabulous journey that has brought her to the genesis of Pretty Dangerous.

the back

What were some of the life lessons Julie learned along the way?

• Never doubt yourself.  Continue to tell yourself you can do it.
• If you dont enjoy what you are doing, you will never succeed. Do something you love.
• Start small and you will be astonished as to what you can accomplish.
• Push yourself.
• Go with your gut.

   Thanks for taking the time to chat, Julie! We wish you the very best and expect to see a lot from Pretty Dangerous in the near future!

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Jarrett Arthur, self-defense instructor.

 I met Jarrett Arthur a few months ago when I took one of her classes here in Los Angeles. She introduced me firearm retention training, a concept I had not been taught in my prior coaching. I had a fantastic time learning from Jarrett and I asked her if she wouldnʼt mind sharing some of her insight with us here. This information, as Jarrett mentions, is designed for civilians. Jarrett recommends finding an instructor in your area (some suggestions below) to get you on a solid training path. Until then, check out these techniques:

FIREARM RETENTION WITH JARRETT ARTHUR

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you own a firearm chances are that youʼve thought about the possibility of being in a fight for control of that weapon. That is one of the most disconcerting scenarios you can describe to a gun owner.

• Your concealed firearm is in your purse or bag. Walking to your car you suddenly feel your bag being ripped off of your shoulder by a purse-snatcher you never heard coming.
• Youʼve been attacked and are in a hand to hand fight for your life. Youʼre being choked and hit and desperately trying to defend yourself with both hands, while you wait for an opportunity to reach for your weapon. Your attacker has seen
  your firearm, or felt it, and before you know whatʼs happening heʼs reaching for it.
• A verbal altercation has quickly turned violent and you realize you will need rely on your weapon to get away safely. You know you need to create space, but in the flux of the encounter, and with adrenaline surging, you begin to draw your
  weapon. Your attacker sees the movement and reaches for your gun just as you grip it to draw.
• Youʼre home alone and in your bedroom. You hear a window break in the living room and the sound of someone entering. You grab your firearm from under your bed and as quietly as you can you begin moving towards the living room. Youʼve
  practiced house clearing once or twice and try to remember what your instructor told you. Your heart is beating so loudly you can hardly think and your legs feel like jelly. You peek around the corner of the doorway knowing you are about to
  get tested for the first time. All of a sudden unknown hands are grabbing your weapon and yanking it away from you.

All of these scenarios represent realistic possibilities, and they all fall under the category of weapon retention. The topic of weapon retention is a huge one, and includes the entire spectrum of considerations. If you think about a timeline of a fight, from pre-fight
to post-fight, youʼve got a list of techniques you should learn and train on that runs the gamut from what kind of weapon you should carry, to where you carry your weapon, to how you conceal or store your weapon, to verbalizations in order to deescalate a
potential altercation, to keeping your weapon safe before youʼve drawn, to drawing your weapon, to keeping your weapon safe while drawing, to keeping your weapon safe once itʼs drawn, and finally to maintaining control during the fight and immediately afterwards.

These first two videos in my weapon retention series will only cover weapon retention strategies once youʼve drawn your weapon

Jarrett doing a little shotgun training.

and someone grabs it wanting to take it from you. In an ideal world, everything goes right and you correctly and successfully clear
your home, or correctly and successfully draw your weapon under appropriate circumstances and maintain control until the threat is nullified. For civilians especially, those who are usually unaccustomed to operating under adrenaline in high stress situations, and who more than likely do not train consistently on these practices, there is the distinct possibility that they will end up in a fight for control of their weapon. These videos are intended for the everyday civilian who has not had a high level of training on these techniques. The goal of this video series is not to make you an expert on weapon retention. Moreover, for you to get the wake-up call needed to begin training effectively for the worst case scenario.

Please seek the help of a professional before embarking on a training program. Always use a training weapon, NEVER a live weapon (not even one with barrel inserts). I do not address any legalities of these situations, and itʼs up to you to make sure you fully understand the gun laws governing your place of residence.

I hope you enjoy the videos. Please contact me at JarrettArthur.com or Natalie at GirlsGuidetoGuns.com with questions, or requests for specific techniques.

Be safe and be well…

Jarrett Arthur

NOTE: Firearm Retention has been the topic of discussion in a few gun circles recently. I spoke with former Top Shot contestant and Gun Nuts Media guru, Caleb Giddings and he recommends the following for shooters interested in serious training in self-defense and weapons retention:

ShivWorks

https://shivworks.com/
“Extreme Close Quarters Concepts” is the standard that other CQB courses are measured by.  He trains all over the country, so chances are your will be able to find a course near you.

InSights Training Center in Bellevue, WA

Here’s their course list: https://insightstraining.com/catalog.asp  Caleb recommends everything in the “Combatives” section, (Unarmed Self Defense, Defensive Folding Knife, etc) without reservation.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

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And from Girls Guide to Guns to you and your family, may you have a wonderful holiday with lots of love and laughter and maybe a little firepower, too.

MAGNUM TO DONATE $1 TO OPERATION GRATITUDE FOR
EVERY FACEBOOK “LIKE” ON CHRISTMAS EVE

MODESTO, CALIF. – For the past 11 days, Magnum Boots USA has been giving its Facebook fans gear from not only Magnum, but its partners like ITS Tactical Edge Custom Calls, Bass Brigade, Panther Racing and Women’s Tactical Association. For the 12th Day of our 12 Days of Christmas celebration, the Magnum team has decided to change it up a bit, and give back to an organization that is doing incredible things for our troops serving overseas instead — but we need your help.

On Christmas Eve until Midnight, Magnum Boots USA will donate $1 in your honor to Operation Gratitude for every “like” to our Facebook page and/ or for the 12th Day of Christmas image featuring Operation Gratitude (up to $1,000). Then, tell all of your colleagues, friends and family who use Facebook to “like” our page and the image, too. Every “like” counts!

Operation Gratitude, which has shipped more than 750,000 packages to American troops deployed overseas since 1993, aims to lift morale of U.S. Armed Forces, bring a smile to a service member’s face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people.

With this goal, all previous rules and entry regulations from the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway are thrown out the door. Whether you live in the U.S. or not, anyone and everyone can offer up a “like” to help raise funds for this worthy charitable organization.

“We realize that not everyone is blessed with being able to be home and spend time with their families during the holidays,” said Brett Weitl, Magnum USA’s marketing director. “We hope that our humble donation will help touch some of those folks, and bring them a little piece of home and serve as a reminder that we truly appreciate their support.”

ABOUT OPERATION GRATITUDE
Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in harm’s way and to Wounded Warriors in Military hospitals and Transition Units. The organization’s mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member’s face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$125 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 750,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas. Learn more about Operation Gratitude by visiting www.OperationGratitude.com.

ABOUT MAGNUM
Since 1982, Magnum has been providing high-performance tactical and service product with credibility second to none. It is the mission of Magnum to be the best in class by delivering unsurpassed product designed for its end user. Distributed in over 100 countries, Magnum attacks the marketplace with unmatched comfort, technology and value in uniform footwear and apparel used by law enforcement, military, fire/rescue, emergency medical, and service agencies around the world. For more information,
visit us online: www.magnumboots.com.

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Alice Anderson

Sergio Marroquin

What do you love about shooting?
That shooting can be a family affair. As my son’s grew up, my wife and I would take them shooting and shooting was one aspect of our family time. I firmly believe that you “gun proof your children as well as child proofing your guns!”

What does shooting mean to you?
Freedom first and foremost. I also believe that in young and old alike it builds and teaches responsibility, character and leadership. Let me explain: In learning to shoot, you learn proper gun handling techniques. You need to be responsible to keep yourself and others safe. When shooting competitively you learn to win AND to lose. Dealing with competition can, but not always, build your character. As one gains experience, one starts to teach others safe weapons handling, stance, sighting, etc. This is leadership.

Why and how did you get in to shooting?
While in the US Army, one of my Father’s duties was being on the 5th Army pistol team. Consequently, I grew up watching, then learning and competing in the shooting sports. Those memories of my Father and I as he taught me are the sweetest of all with him.

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