It’s a day of lasers over here at the Girl’s Guide to Guns headquarters, and we want to know what your favorite handgun laser is. So far we have tested products from Viridian, LaserMax and Crimson Trace. Each product has it’s strengths and we look forward to telling you more about them in an upcoming piece for a gun magazine. But before all of that happens, I would like you to chime in and tell me about your laser experience. And if experience is the one thing you lack when it comes to lasers, tell us what laser you would like to own and why you think lasers are cool. I will choose my favorite comment and the winner will receive a couple of awesome hats from these laser companies. I look forward to your comment!

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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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Vicki and I have been friends since Girl’s Guide began and I am proud to have had the chance to work with her, via NRA Women’s Network, on this video. There are some pretty incredible people that populate the world of firearms, but I have to say that Vicki is one of the most generous and big-hearted ones you could possibly find. I hope you enjoy this piece as much as we enjoyed making it.

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Hey, our primary concern here is safety, right? That safety means taking good, holistic care of yourself, which includes cancer prevention. Whether you are defending yourself from a bad guy or getting regular mammograms, the same objectives apply. We need you around, sister! And too many of us are seeing the signs of sun damage, including melanoma, at a very young age. Check out these videos from Birchbox to refresh yourself on the good habits you should maintain every day and especially while you are on the range:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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And a little added bonus video about the NRA Women’s Network:

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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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Let the contest begin! Lightfield Less Lethal and Girls Guide to Guns  want to hear your stories and see your photos. Here is how it works:

1) Send in 1-3 photos of you and your shotgun.

2) Answer one, two or all three of the following questions questions in a paragraph. Please keep it under 500 words.

• What do you love about shooting?
• What does shooting mean to you?
• Why and how did you get in to shooting?

Send all entries to natalie@girlsguidetoguns.com

The top three winners selected by Girls Guide and Lightfield will find their photos and stories posted on this site and they will receive a gift box of Lightfield Less Lethal ammunition*. Be sure and check out the Lightfield Less Lethal website to learn more about their products.

Contest ends Tuesday, 12/13/11. Winners announced on or before Friday, 12/16/11.

*in states where shipping ammo is legal

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At-a-glance Embed Article Print Article Share Article Short URL for Sharing Program helps women stay safe Wednesday, October 26, 2011 By ANDREA OWEN SAFETY FIRST: Bellaire Police Officer Tracie Matthews stresses physical skills during ehr Rape Agression Defense classes for students and adults in the area. She’s taught the classes since 2006. – ANDREA OWEN As she teaches how to elbow, knee-scrape and face-punch, Tracie “Pinky” Matthews — from the fuchsia reflective tape on her guns to her Pepto-Bismol colored handcuffs — is a symbol of female empowerment. According to the Bellaire Police officer, embracing her femininity and wearing pink was her way to “get back” at her fellow officers who would joke about her gender early on in her career. Matthews, who has taught Rape Aggression Defense — RAD- since 2006, describes it as a program that educates women how to not only physically defend themselves, but also to build general “tools for confidence.” When first approached to teach RAD, Matthews said that she didn’t know anything about the program, so she researched it. “If I didn’t believe in it, I didn’t want to false advertise and teach it,” she said. However, she explained that she was very impressed with the professionalism and the “full-force” curriculum. The physical skills taught in the program — which is only to be used for defense under reasonable threat — range from simple blocks to full-out kicks and punches. Women are also taught precautionary measures such as how to secure their houses and carry themselves in public. Bellaire High School senior Hasanthi Seth, who took RAD at the behest of her mother, said she was reluctant to spend one of her only free weeks of summer learning how to throw punches. But contrary to her initial impression, she was pleasantly surprised. For the full article, click here: http://my.hsj.org/Schools/Newspaper/tabid/100/view/frontpage/schoolid/781/articleid/466054/newspaperid/757/Program_helps_women_stay_safe.aspx

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MILLER: Emily gets her gun

I want a gun. I don’t feel safe living in Washington, D.C. and want to protect myself. I’m starting today by going down to City Hall to find the gun permit office to tell them, “I want a gun.” This series will follow me as I navigate the city bureaucracy and outdated rules in order to legally buy a firearm.

My desire for a gun started when I had to face down over a dozen criminals on an empty cul de sac in Washington, D.C., armed only with a Blackberry.

It was New Year’s Day 2010, and I’d been staying in the house to dog sit for friends who were on vacation. I’d returned from walking the dog when I saw a man coming from the house. “What are you doing?” I asked, sensing something was off with the situation. The Golden Retriever just stood next to me with a slack leash.

“We’re here to clean the pool,” the man said. He looked nervous and his eyes were blood-shot.

I was pretty sure my friends hadn’t called in a swimming pool emergency during the middle of winter. “No, we didn’t call for you,” I said.

“Oh, then it must be the house next door,” he said, smiling nervously. He turned and walked away quickly.

I’d left the front door unlocked since I was walking the dog for less than ten minutes. (I know, lesson learned.) After the man left, I was still suspicious so I went inside, grabbed my Blackberry and clicked on the icon for the camera. I walked down the street, and as I turned the corner, I saw about 15 scruffy young men standing around two pickup trucks. We were at the end of a woody, dead-end road.

I nervously held up my Blackberry to take a quick photo of them and the license plates. Suddenly, the blood-shot-eyed guy darted out, blocking the shot. “What are you doing?” he asked. I looked around at all the men staring at me and was suddenly scared. “Nothing, I’m um, just going now,” I said as I put my Blackberry down instead of taking the picture around him and went home.

Hours later, I was at a New Year’s Day party when my phone rang. It was my credit card company asking if my card was in my possession because there were odd charges on it. I looked at my wallet and saw that all my cash was gone and the cards. It suddenly dawned on me that the “pool guy” had been inside the house.

Read the full Washington Times article here:

https://admin.washingtontimes.com/blog/guns/2011/oct/5/miller-emily-gets-her-gun/

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Massad Ayoob – Women and Guns

We found this insightful, no nonsense post over at Town Hall Patriots and they’ve graciously agreed to let us share a bit of it with you. Be sure and check out the entire post linked below. There’s much more where this came from!

In a time when what used to be called “the women’s liberation movement” has achieved many of its goals in terms of equality and empowerment, the concept that guns are somehow evil icons of male brutality has managed to survive as the longest-standing relic of the old “Suzie Housewife mentality.” Political enfranchisement? Of course! Entry into previously male-exclusive job markets? A done deal, for the most part. Economic power and self-determination? You bet.  But defend yourself and your loved ones against a deadly criminal, by resorting to a gun of your own? “OMG!!! You’re just surrendering to the brutal male mentality!”

Aggressively forward stance helps the slender Jacqueline Smith, at right. She follows her training in an LFI qualification and leans farther forward than 160-lb. male author, left. Final score proved VERY close…

The Attitude Part
In almost thirty years of teaching female armed citizens, and longer than that teaching female cops, I’ve come to the conclusion that once you get past old-fashioned cultural predispositioning, women may actually be better and more decisive students of the gun.

You don’t jump up on a chair and shriek when you see a mouse in the kitchen? You don’t exclaim, “I declare! I do believe I have a case of the vapors coming on,” and faint when there’s trouble? Good–indications are that you’re on the way to getting past the cultural canard that women are supposed to be helpless and totally reliant on men to protect them.

Most firearms instructors agree that women have a faster learning curve than men in this discipline. They tend to have better fine motor coordination, as a rule, and pulling a trigger without deviating the muzzle off target is most definitely a fine motor skill. Their biggest advantage is that they are not born believing that because of their gender, they automatically know how to do something masculine. I’ve found that the female student more than the male wants to know, not just “how do you do that?” but “why do you do it that way?” With a proper explanation, she follows instructions, finds the results good, and moves on. With some of the males–not all, certainly, but some–the reaction is, “Ungawa! If Mongo do what instructor say, Mongo become ‘beta’ and instructor become ‘alpha.’ I, MONGO, am alpha! Mongo must keep doing it Mongo’s way! Ungawa!” It’s like de-programming cult victims sometimes…

There is a misperception that women won’t have the intestinal fortitude to pull the trigger when it’s necessary. That’s only true with an armed female who has bought into the “jump-on-the-chair-when-you-see-a-mouse” mentality. The female of the species, once she understands the situation, has no illusions that she’s supposed to kick the knife out of the attacker’s hand, or knock him unconscious with a right cross like the Lone Ranger. She’s less likely to hesitate. An outdoorswoman who is hunting to feed her family is not going to break down in weepy-eye flashbacks to Walt Disney’s film Bambi when the venison is in her sights; she’s going to hold her aim steady, and smoothly press the trigger back.

As I’ve watched women train over the years, I’ve seen other differences compared to the men. When the guys shoot a qualification, there’s (usually good-natured) teasing. “Hey, Buddy, ya dropped a point there! I’m ahead of you so far!” When the gals do the same, particularly in an all-female class, the difference is stark. The theme is mutual support: “You’re doing great, Sylvia! You’re only one point down! You go, girl!”

The Hardware

Most guns were designed by men, for men. The “pull” measurement (the distance between butt and trigger on a rifle or shotgun) will, in standard models, be designed for an average-size adult male. That means they may fit a tall woman. A lady of average height, or one of more petite proportions, will have to lean back off balance to hold it to her shoulder to aim.
The gunstock can be customized by a gunsmith (or by an individual who is really handy with tools and really knows the gun in question). Or, in many cases, it can simply be ordered with a “youth stock.”

Why, you may ask, don’t they ever call it a “women’s stock?” Ah, a topic opens here. We are a nation that tries to put racism behind it, and can’t quite achieve that. We are a nation that would probably like to put misogyny behind it, but can’t achieve that, either. Historically and culturally, the gun has been perceived as a “male only” object. And frankly, in many respects, a male-only totem. How many young boys with even a hint of machismo about them would want a first-time hunting rifle or shotgun with a “women’s stock” for Christmas? On the other hand, many slender women have grown accustomed to buying practical jeans in “boys’ sizes,” and more women have purchased sneakers or boots in “youth sizes,” too.

It’s a marketing thing.
If we can just set that part of it aside, the main point we take from it is: “youth stocks” fit smaller-statured people, among whom are a lot of women. Therefore, youth stocks are extremely useful for adapting shotguns and rifles to female shooters.

To read the entire post (and you should because it’s awesome) click on this link:

https://thpatriots.blogspot.com/2011/08/massad-ayoob-women-and-guns.html

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Massad F. Ayoob is an internationally known firearms and self-defense instructor.

Massad Ayoob has authored several books and more than 1,000 articles on firearms, combat techniques, self-defense, and legal issues, and has served in an editorial capacity for Guns Magazine, American Handgunner, Gun Week, and Combat Handguns.

Massad Ayoob was former Vice Chairman of the Forensic Evidence Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and is believed to be the only non-attorney ever to hold this position.

https://massadayoobgroup.com/

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