The Girls Gun Getaway featuring several female gun bloggers and pro shooters. (photo: Julie Golob)

Most women start writing blogs to inspire other women, or talk about themselves, or if we’re all honest a bit of both. But what is it we are trying to inspire other women to do? Protect themselves, to be sure, but there’s another element of our community we can’t overlook and that we, as a group, can do so much more with.

I get teased on a fairly regular basis about being a “tough independent woman,” and while the cliché is overdone there is something to be said for the label itself, the problem is that a lot of women seem to be interpreting it in a way that only harms them in the long run. Being tough and independent isn’t about being angry, it isn’t about rebelling against the status quo but rather about being confident in yourself and in your actions.

While shooting is a start towards confidence, it’s not an end. There are a lot of other things we can do to feel better about ourselves and our lives. Most of it’s mental, of course, positive thinking and feeling good about ourselves, but there are other things we can do, other activities we can partake in, to continue an upward climb towards true inner strength.

Shooting does several things for us, the first of us which is (for many) pushing the boundaries of our comfort zone. Having an explosion detonate in front of our face is not something we are conditioned to handle, which is why for many shooting can be perceived as “scary” before they have tried it. Participating in an activity we might not have expected to participate in, and then training to become good at it, requires a lot of self-confidence, which is why shooting pushes us in that direction every day.

Also, as has been pointed out many times, shooting gives us a sense of equality, a sense of safety, a sense of being in control of ourselves. That sense of control is empowering, and is something we should seek in other aspects of our life. This, along with the “tough woman” image of shooting guns, gives us a more positive self-image, which is a powerful thing.

Participating in fitness activities and other sports can have the same effects shooting does. Since I started shooting I’ve taken up weight-lifting and started studying nutrition and trying to eat right. It has made a huge difference in my self-esteem and helped me to realize the extent of control I have over myself, much as shooting does. I would encourage every woman shooter not to stop there, but to continue to step outside of her comfort zone and find other activities that energize and empower her to be the best she can.

When you start shooting, you adopt a lifestyle, and if you embrace that lifestyle there are no boundaries to what you can achieve.

Let us know what it is that you love about shooting below in the comments section.

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New Year’s is now behind us so it’s traditionally a time to be thinking about what to resolve to do better this coming year.

Keeping fit usually tops the list of promises we make to ourselves at the start of each new year, but it is also one of the most difficult resolutions to keep up with.

A workout designed around exercises that would benefit one of your favorite hobbies might inspire more commitment. What if each repetition in the gym (or basement) added some extra punch to your overall fitness when engaging in firearms sport or training?

Building a strong core is always an important foundation with any extended use of specific muscles groups as well as for endurance and balance. Basic floor exercises including crunches, scissor kicks and other exercises that strengthen the abdominal muscles are going to be the foundation for everything else you do in your workouts. A fatigued body will rely on a strong core to ground it. But there are some exercises that pay specific attention to strengthening muscles that will be used when holding firearms out at arms’ length for long periods of time.

When I started taking more advanced shooting classes I started to think about how I could use my daily workouts to target the muscles used to sustain the long periods holding and maneuvering my firearms. I was already working with a personal trainer, Fabian Thorne at Built 2 Last Fitness (www.built-2-last.org), so we discussed how to include exercises in my training sessions to target the specific muscles used in shooting.

There are obviously many strength building exercises but here are three easy ones you can add as part of a regular program and that can offer results to reduce strain on tired muscles.

Hold both arms out straight to your sides and rotate them clockwise in small tight circles for 100 repetitions. Then do the same in counterclockwise motion. This will build strength in the muscles used when holding arms outstretched for great periods of time. Add hand weights as you increase your endurance.

In the next exercise, sit down and take a five pound dumbbell in one hand (or whatever weight is appropriate for you fitness level). Rest your wrist on the edge of your knee and move your hand up and down at the wrist. This movement will build strength in the wrists which help hold heavy objects in outstretched arms, where disproportionate weight is being held in one hand.

Balance is also as important as muscle strength when incorporating movement into training exercises. To improve balance, try alternate side forward leg lunges while holding five or ten pound dumbbells. Begin with eight repetitions on each leg. When returning to the center standing position after each forward lunge, include an arm curl and when doing lunges in the reverse direction include an arm raise as you return the leg to the center standing position. Repeating lunges several times on each leg improves balance and strength.

Generally, it can be helpful to train under the conditions you will find your mind and body subjected to in a particular situation. For example, law enforcement officers will train with firearms simulators to imitate situations where the mind will have to make a split second decision as to a threat and then take action. Training courses that teach shooting on the move and under stress are good ways to test how an individual will respond in an unusually difficult situation.

However, the best way to prepare physically is to be in the best shape possible. A regular exercise program to strengthen the core muscles, with special attention to the muscles used in shooting (as in the exercises listed above) may provide an advantage in combating muscle fatigue; for example, from holding a gun in an outstretched arm for a long period of time – possibly even hours as in police crisis situations.

If you enjoy your workouts as much as I do, then the added knowledge that the exercises you are performing may also benefit your shooting skills could give you that extra incentive to keep up the program this New Year.

For more information on personalized sports targeted fitness programs contact Fabian www.built-2-last.org

And here is a quick little video to get you motivated:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Can a single girl combine her love for the range with love?

He was a handsome attorney from Tennessee that carried a pistol in the glove compartment. When all the girls would ask me where we went on our first date, I’d have an answer that would blow their rooftop cocktails out of the water. I was headed to place that was not made for the damsel in chocolate martini distress. I was headed out west…Wild West Gun Range in the middle of nowhere, Georgia.

I had never even seen a pistol, much less fired one. As soon as we walked in the range storefront, I was jumping like hot popcorn kernels. What had I gotten myself into? Why did I ask to come to the gun range? Shoot me now..oh, wait, scratch that. I had to pull myself together. I picked this as a first date! He pulled out the Smith& Wesson M&P .40 caliber compact and I immediately told him I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

After a long wait for an open lane, my Southern Slinger gives me a quick safety-first spill and then gives me the gun. I just looked and stared. After he shot 15 rounds, it was time to put my big girl britches on and get what I came for: How to Shoot a Semi-Automatic Pistol 101 (while looking cute and not smudging your lip gloss). After all, every woman wants to be Bond Girl to his James, She-rah to his He- man, Angel to his Bossley, and Lois to his Clark. And all I could do was stare down the lane, amazed that real fire came out of a firearm. I picked up the gun, slowly fired, and fifteen rounds later; this Princess of Firepower was done. I told him I was ready to go, he emptied the last magazine and we left.

It wasn’t a first date fail, we actually had nice dinner conversation after the range, but it certainly was a first-trip to the gun range failure. It was two years later; I returned to the gun range on yet another date. (Don’t judge me, you can tell a lot about a guy by taking him to the range see number 4 below). This time, I was cool, calm, collected, (cute, of course!) and hooked. Once I figured out sight alignment, I was right on target, literally! I was hitting center mass like I had been shooting since I was knee high to a grasshopper. It might have been beginner’s luck, but this time, my Georgian Southern Gent left the range calling me a regular Annie Oakley.

What was the difference between my first experience and the second? How can single girls have a great dating and gun range experience at the same time? Here are a few tips for combining your love for shooting with love, period. :

1. Save the gun range for at least date four. Unless you are both avid shooters, you don’t want to go to the range on your first date. The difference between my first and second experience at the range was I knew my date. It wasn’t the first time we had hung out together. We had shared plenty of conversations over dinner before we headed to the range. You don’t have to plan to marry the guy, but you need to have at least built a trusting relationship with him (especially if you’re a newbie to the range). I did most of the shooting on my second time at the range, he watched and corrected me. He was patient and he was a good teacher. The point is spend quality time with the guy you’re going to the range with so you know what you’re getting into before you pull the big guns out ..if you know what I’m mean.

2. Keep the girls covered and leave the red bottom stilettos at home. Yes, it makes a highly-commented on profile picture to be in stilettos while aiming down the lane, but you’ll probably be standing for at least 30 minutes to an hour while at the range. Heels are not particularly helpful with the proper posture either. And while a deep-V, T-shirt may catch his attention, it will catch hot shells as well. Trust me, I’ve been the victim of a hot shell to the chest, and when it hits your overexposed cleavage, it’s going to burn. Furthermore, we’re all ladies, and a lady always keeps him guessing about what she’s working with underneath. So what to wear on your range date? Be cute yet appropriate. If you’re not really a sneaker girl, then go with closed-toed flats, your premium denims, and if you can, layer a long-sleeve jacket or cardigan over your top. While at the range, the sleeves will cover your arms and be sure to button your jacket all the way up to protect your chest. When you go to dinner after the range, simply remove the jacket for a complete look. Side note: lip gloss, mascara, and blush are always appropriate for any occasion at the range.

3. Pick Ladies’ Day to go to the range. No waiting for the next Groupon or Scoutmob for this discounted date. Most ranges offer a day of the week where women can shoot at a discounted rate or even for free. Your date will appreciate your consideration for his pockets or if you’re anything like me, take this opportunity to show him that you have no problems “investing” in the relationship.

4. Last, but not least, safety first. Your time at the range is a great opportunity to discern if your guy is a leader in safety. If you’re not familiar with the gun range, you’ll want to educate yourself on range safety rules before you go. Don’t expect that your date will know everything. While we all want a guy to protect us, we also want to know that he will protect others as well. Watch him. If he has poor safety habits at the gun range, well, he probably practices unsafe behavior in general (ahem, ahem). This is not the guy you want to date, especially at the range.

Most of all, have fun. Dating at the range can be a safe and enjoyable experience!

Carmen Harris lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She likes to play in makeup (she owns a boutique bridal makeup studio www.loveoverlogic.com ) and to play with her new Sig Sauer P229 9mm. And yes, she’s still dating at the range. Follow her on Twitter at @love_over_logic

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I’m always so excited when I get to pick up a new gun. I look at my new purchase in awe thinking, “Wow, this is MINE”. This time the newest member of the family was a Mossberg 510 mini shotgun. It’s my first shotgun and it will be perfect for me and to teach my kids with as well. As I look at it, all I can think about is taking it to the range, but it’s about ten o’clock at night now and the range won’t be open until 10 am tomorrow.

It’s exactly this feeling that I want to see other female firearms owners experience. What I have seen after taking women to the range and speaking with others is that some women have a tendency to hold back on how they feel about owning and shooting guns (at least in this part of the USA). It’s almost like they feel they don’t have the right to really own one or a place in that world — I don’t know why, but I imagine that it has something to do with shooting not being a “feminine” activity. That it’s not OK to express an interest in things that are loud and make really big holes in the target. But after speaking with the women who have come shooting with me, I learned they quickly realize how empowering and fun it can be, too.

The days of the quiet, polite female who takes a back seat in a man’s world are long since gone, but society’s stereotypes die hard and there are still those who might view certain sports and activities as masculine. I wasn’t raised this way, in fact, in my family all the kids were treated equally regardless of gender. My brother took his turn washing the dishes and cooking dinner, and my sisters and I put in our time mowing the lawn and helping my father with projects in the garage. My parents always told my four sisters and me that we could do anything we wanted, and they stood behind us all the way. I never would have thought I couldn’t own, handle, or even build guns if I put my mind to it and wanted it badly enough. It took me a while to realize that not everyone is as fortunate as we were.

I find it interesting to read about strong women who stand out and do things that are not considered “ladylike”. For example, on July 4th, I read the story of Sonya Thomas, who at 5 feet and 105 pounds has become a competitive eating champion. She gets up in front of crowds of spectators and beats her male competitors time and time again, often to the jeers of the audience and sometimes with a barrage of garbage raining down on her. Say what you will about the gross out factor of competitive eating, the fact that Sonya walked into a stadium full of Philly fans to compete in the 2005 Wing Bowl where she was touted by the crowd as the “feminist villain” shows that she has a confidence that is admirable. This past July 4th she won the annual Nathan’s hotdog eating contest in the newly created women’s division.

And then you have someone like Bonnie, a 70 year old grandmother who found a man had broken into her New Hampshire home undressed, and was sitting at her kitchen table eating a meal from her refrigerator. She was rightly concerned about the safety of her grandson asleep upstairs and grabbed a bat and starting beating the man until he left the house. Bonnie told the media, “I don’t want anyone to ever think they can hurt my family and get away with it. You have got to take care of yourself,” she says, “You’re not weak, be strong. There’s always a way to protect yourself. Use it.” Exactly. Now that is a woman who has confidence in herself, and it showcases that no one should ever feel the need to hold back when protecting themselves — male or female.

These are two different women, who feel comfortable enough with themselves to act outside what can be considered acceptable for women in our society. They are two women who are not afraid to draw on the confidence they feel inside themselves and do what feels right for them. I understand it can be hard to walk into male dominated environments, like a gun shop or shooting range, especially alone. This is one of the reasons I decided to become a firearms instructor. I enjoy introducing students, and especially women, to the world of firearms.

Once women make the decision to go for it and enter the range, I find many are afraid to handle the gun because of a fear they might break it. So they handle it gently, like it’s fragile or irreplaceable. Don’t be afraid to handle your gun roughly ladies! (By this I mean don’t pick it up like you would a newborn infant). A 9mm handgun can withstand twenty five thousand pounds of blow back pressure (psi) when you pull the trigger; believe me, even if you are at the gym every day, you can’t duplicate that kind of power. It’s actually better not to assist or baby your gun when chambering a round. Rack the slide and let it fly forward. Really get to know your firearm, touch everything on it and know how it works! Please be safe though and follow all safe gun handling rules including making sure it’s unloaded first. The gun is just a tool to get the job done, it’s no different than many other tools you will use on a daily basis. And it’s your tool. Whether your goal is to send some rounds down range at a piece of paper for fun or to gain some experience in order to keep a gun for self defense, like any other tool you own, knowing intimately how it works will allow it to work best for you.

It doesn’t matter if you want to shoot in pink earmuffs, or you buy a rifle DuraCoated in a purple camouflage pattern — in fact, bedazzle your gun case if you like, because it only matters how you feel inside about shooting your gun. You are just as capable and probably more responsible, than the guy in the next port. Don’t assume he knows any more than you do. Don’t misunderstand; my goal is only to encourage women to have confidence in their own ability to handle a gun. I have been the recipient of much encouragement and support of male instructors and gun owners.

I look at shooting as my time to relax so I often enjoy shooting alone. It’s at least as good as a visit to the spa. I have to clear my mind and turn off my phone to concentrate on what I am doing, especially if I want to shoot well. But I know that sometimes it’s easier to go with a friend.

My favorite experience was taking a friend to shoot who was sure she just would not be able to do it. Yes, of course she thought it was great that I could but there was no reasoning with her. It was too complicated, too much recoil, too much unfounded fear that she could never protect herself — that it wasn’t her job, her right, her responsibility to do so. After she fired the handguns, and very well I might add, I convinced her to shoot the AR-15. After the first round, she just paused and then looked at me. “Wow,” she said, “that felt great. I can do this. I feel so empowered.” Hello, and welcome to my world. Remember ladies, it’s your gun, don’t be afraid of it. Own it.

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It’s good to live in a society where you can dial 911 when you need help. You know that at some point, law enforcement, an ambulance or the fire department will show up ready to assist you in whatever ways they can. The only question you may have is, “What do I do until help arrives?”

Sometimes, you only have a few seconds to decide what you are going to do in an emergency situation, and those few moments can
mean the difference between life and death. In some life-threatening situations, you have the ability and responsibility to protect yourself, and you should take full advantage of your own right to safety and survival. There are many people who will be completely willing to take advantage of you if you let them. You need to be prepared for self-defense. Gun ownership and training in the use of that gun can be your answer.

Natalie Instructing a First Time Shooter - Photo By Jack Nischik

First, where do you start the search for the right gun? Don’t forget that one of the most important items to have in your personal arsenal is knowledge. Think about your goals and reasons for purchasing a firearm. Are you looking for a gun for yourself or your significant other? Some guns will fit a man better than a woman and vice versa. What do you want to accomplish if you have to fire your gun? Do you want to stop an intruder or attacker in his tracks? If that’s the case, you will want a gun that is accurate, a trait found in larger pistols. Do you want to carry your gun with you? If so, a smaller gun will be lighter in weight and easier to conceal, but remember that you will also need to acquire a concealed carry permit. Another issue to consider when purchasing a gun is the reliability of the firearm. You need your gun to work for you whenever the moment arises. Be open to arming yourself and your spouse differently so that you both feel comfortable using a gun. A great place to find guns for men and women are online auctions. It’s nice to know that someone has used the gun you are considering purchasing because they can give you the particulars and history before you buy it. Some auctions cater to both men and women, realizing that they will have different needs.

Another consideration when choosing a gun is the caliber. A smaller caliber will usually be faster and have greater accuracy in repeated firing, but will suffer in energy and force. A larger caliber has a tendency to damage the target more severely. When firing in self-defense, you will want to stop your target by inflicting enough damage. Keep in mind that some bullets do a better job of penetrating further into the target than others. It may be helpful to purchase your gun from a source where you can also purchase the needed ammunition. Again, go to an auction for a terrific selection in guns and ammunition. You will find variety and pricing that fits your needs and budget, and you will have the opportunity to shop on your own time and for your own needs.

After you’ve found the best gun for you, get the appropriate training. A great gun that fits you well cannot compensate for lack of training in how to use the gun at the right time and in the right place. Your gun can give you security once you’ve taken the time to learn about it. Don’t skimp on knowledge. You want your gun to save your life when you need it to, not get in the way. When you remember that your gun is for your protection and you are the one who is accountable for its use, you will be much closer to your goals of being a responsible gun owner who is capable of self-protection.

Photo By Jack Nichik

About the Author: Tammy Anderson is a wife, mother, school teacher and gun enthusiast. She lives in Texas with her family.

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Watch out Lady GaGa, there are new “Little Monsters,” and they’re all mine!   Yes, I’ve turned my two daughters into little monsters… shooting monsters that is!  Shooting isn’t something that kids do in our neck of the woods. We live in a suburb of New York City, and firearms are, for the most part, a taboo subject.

When my husband and I applied for our pistol permits back in 2008, I think my girls may have been a little freaked out.  In our county, pretty much all you can apply for is a “Sportsman Residence” license which allows you to target shoot, hike and hunt.  CCW’s are rarely granted because the judges who issue them make you prove “need.”  Yes, it’s a violation of my 2nd Amendment Rights, and I am preparing to petition the Judge assigned to my license for conversion to a CCW, but I digress… that will be a whole other blog entry down the road.

Back to my girls! It all started a few years ago when we went with friends up to a cabin in Upstate New York for a day of shooting. My husband, who had shot competitively on the New York State Junior Rifle team when he was young, hadn’t shot in years after losing the end of his trigger finger in a lawn mower accident when he was 14. (Yeah, I know.) My friend’s dad, who owned the cabin, was a World War II hero, Army 82nd Airborne, retired from the Sheriff’s Department, worked for the FBI, Firearm Instructor… I could go on and on about “Pop” but first and foremost, he taught us about firearms and safety that day, and what a blast we all had.  My girls at the time were 10 and 12, and with his guidance, they shot several types and calibers of rifles and revolvers.  It was a great foundation for us all, and the beginning of what has become a passion of mine!

My 14½ year-old daughter had the opportunity to join me at the range when I earned my ProMarksman NRA rating.  School was still in session, but winding down, and she had an afternoon full of nothing at school, so I took her out early, deciding that not every lesson in life was learned in the classroom.

Me and my Browning.

We were joined at the range my buddy Bob, who usually emailed me before heading to the range because he knows I’m not yet comfortable being there by myself.  Bob has lots and lots of “toys” and usually brings quite a nice assortment of firearms for us to “play” with!  I brought along my Browning Buck Mark Camper .22 pistol, and my newly acquired Savage Mark II (NRA limited edition!) .22 rifle that I purchased from the widow of a club member who passed away last year.

This would be Beth’s second time to the range. She participated last Fall in our Club’s annual Turkey Shoot, where she was the hit of the group going from member to member trying out their .22 rifles – seems everybody wanted Beth to try their rifle.

Beth takes aim.

She had a blast, and it was her first time shooting since she was 10. Bob is an excellent instructor and he’s great with kids. He’ll likely head up our newly formed Jr. Club, since we now have “juniors” who are interested!  Beth shot everything from both of my firearms, to a .38 carbine rifle, to a .357 Magnum, (he loaded the first 2 chambers with .38s so she’d get a feel for it, then the rest with .357s, she did great and loved every second.) She spent the next few weeks of school pleading for me to take her out early, so we could go shooting! Yes… Monster #1 created.

Kristen, my 16-year-old, had all her hard classes in the afternoon, so there was no early dismissal for her. She had to wait until school was done and testing was over, but we found an opportunity last week when she had a day free of testing. We’ve tried to take her to the range before, but something always got in the way. When I got a call from another club member, Mike, letting me know he was going down to the range, we loaded the truck and headed out.

I started her on the .22 rifle since Mike was practicing for the upcoming Bulls-Eye shoot from 25 yards.  I figured rifle might be the better option and placed her targets at about 15 yards. She got used to the scope quickly, and had some nice groupings for her first day. (Obviously, she takes after me.) When Mike was done, we moved outside and she played with my Buck Mark a bit.

Kristen's turn.

She couldn’t decide whether she liked the pistol or the rifle better, so she shot both. I didn’t get a lot of practice in, because she was just having too darned much fun! After a while, Mike left and it was just her and me.  She was much more relaxed having just me watching her, and she really began to shine.  I took her in close to the target and showed her some basic tactical shooting… well, clearly this was her favorite, and she did well. Yes, Monster #2… created!

As of Thursday, the girls testing will be finished and another school year will be successfully in the books. This frees us up for a summer at the range, which we’re all looking forward to! Being self employed, I have the flexibility to work when convenient; if it’s a beautiful day, I can up and leave my home office and hit the range for a while. (I call it “group therapy.”) One of these times, we’ll even let my husband play… poor guy is stuck at work all day (hey, somebody has to pay for the new toys, right??!!).

On a serious note, I believe teaching my girls to shoot will be one of the most important things they learn. Besides actual shooting, this sport involves safety, patience, responsibility and self confidence. And lastly, as a mother of two beautiful daughters, I hope that the boys they eventually date have seen their Facebook profile pictures of them shooting big scoped rifles.

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I’m going to take a moment to talk about one of my favorite subjects: the combination of women’s fashion and concealed carry.  One of my favorite stores, Vince, just rolled out their fall line and I went in to take a look around (I know it’s still summer, this is how the fashion world works, don’t stress too much trying to figure it out).  Of course whenever I shop for clothes I end up thinking about how I would be able to, or perhaps not be able to, carry with a particular garment.

Right now seems to be the time to put that P238 in an appendix holster because the designers are actually giving us clothes we could carry with.  In fact, what I noticed wandering the mall is that loose shirts with pleats or ruching seem to be everywhere in the fall lines.  These loose-bottom pleated shirts are perfect for carry — the way they bunch means you have room to stash a small firearm and the pleats mean printing isn’t going to be a problem since there are already lines and folds in the fabric.

Read the entire article here:

https://gunnuts.net/2011/07/05/concealed-carry-fashion-report/

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Being pretty new to shooting, I decided a good thing to do would be to go through the NRA Marksmanship ratings, one by one. When one of the guys from the club emailed me to see if I wanted to go shooting Thursday afternoon, I jumped at the chance because I’m not all that comfortable being there alone yet. I let my 14-year-old daughter tag along with me, it would be her first real afternoon at the range.

One of my 10 paper plates, showing my grouping for my Pro-Marksman NRA rating

Geared up with my paper plates and my trusty Buck Mark Camper .22 pistol, I set my table to the required 15 foot mark for my Pro Marksman rating. I needed 10 plates, with 5 shots each, with none closer to the edge than a half-inch. I accomplished this easily and earned my first rating quickly!

One of the other gentleman from my club, whom I hadn’t met before that day, mentioned that I should join them on Sunday for the clubs Bulls-eye Competition Shoot. “Me? Seriously? No, I’m too new at this…” His reply? “You’re a natural, see you Sunday…”

My husband and I went down on Sunday, and they talked me into trying it. Gotta say, I had a lot of fun, and, I did OK, even scoring some 10s! I was the only female there (I think I may be the only female in the club!) and I was the only person not shooting with a Red Dot sight, just me and my Buck Mark’s iron sights. We had to shoot one-handed. I’d never done that before. And the targets? They were 25 yards away– yeah, never done that before either.

I’ll go back and join them again on another Sunday. You have to attend 4 shoots to qualify for the prizes, and while I won’t be winning any prizes, I’ll be ready for the next series of shoots later this year! Now to find time to earn my NRA Marksman rating… that’s my next goal!

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Healthy Vision for a Lifetime of Shooting

For many new female shooters, shooting quickly becomes a favorite hobby, and oftentimes a lifelong sport. In order to be successful and tear up the target, however, shooters rely on crystal clear vision. Here are some things to look out for when it comes to your vision, and ways to ensure that you’ll be seeing clearly and shooting well whether you’re in your 20s, 40s, or beyond.

Healthy vision at any age:

The best way to maintain healthy vision at any age is to get a regular eye exam. Other ways to maintain healthy vision are to eat a balanced diet, refrain from smoking, get lots of exercise, and wear sunglasses.

Anti-Impact Glasses from Packing in Pink

Eye protection is absolutely essential when shooting. Every shooter has different vision needs, and there’s no shortage of choices  in lenses and styles on the market today. Shooting glasses, shooting goggles and safety glasses all have different looks and benefits. Each shooter’s selection depends on their vision needs, age, safety requirements, shooting environment and even the type of gun they’re using.

What to watch out for in your 20s and 30s:

Nearsightedness

The eye’s cornea directs light onto the lens, and the lens focuses the light onto the retina. In an eye with perfect distance vision, the relaxed lens will focus a distant object on the retina. In a nearsighted eye, however, the relaxed lens will focus distant objects somewhere short of the retina. A nearsighted person can usually focus on close objects, but distant objects are fuzzy. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common solutions for nearsightedness.

Farsightedness

In a farsighted eye, the relaxed lens will focus distant objects somewhere beyond the back of the eye. Distant objects will appear fuzzy, and closer objects will be even fuzzier. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common solutions for nearsightedness.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism results when the cornea is not perfectly spherical in shape. The result is a “lopsided,” somewhat cylindrical sphere that does not focus all of the light rays entering the eye onto a single point on the retina. This means that objects at all distances will appear somewhat blurred.  Astigmatism can often occur in conjunction with nearsightedness or farsightedness, but people with perfect distance vision can also have astigmatism. Eyeglasses and contact lenses can correct for astigmatism by focusing light rays on a single plane.

Computer vision syndrome (CVS)

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) may occur from using a computer for long periods of time. To minimize the effects of CVS, make sure the lighting in the room is adequate to avoid glare from the computer screen, and position the screen so that your head is in a comfortable position.

What to watch out for in your 40s and 50s:

As we age, our eyes progressively lose the ability to focus over the full range of vision from far to near. This happens to everyone, regardless of regular distance vision correction, and takes place gradually over time. The cause is presbyopia, a condition in which the eye’s crystalline lens becomes increasingly inflexible.

The eye’s cornea directs light onto the lens, and the lens focuses the light onto the retina. In an eye with perfect distance vision, the relaxed lens will focus a distant object on the retina. When we are young, the lens can change shape (increase curvature) to focus on objects at closer distances. The closer the object, the greater the curvature required. The ability to do this is known as “accommodation.” As we age and the eye’s lens becomes increasingly inflexible, its accommodation declines. Most people first notice a difficulty in adjusting between distances around the age of 45, and by the time they are 65, they will have lost virtually all of their accommodation.

Presbyopia

To overcome presbyopia, many shooters rely on multifocal lenses such as bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses. Many other shooters switch between multiple pairs of glasses throughout the day. Fortunately in today’s age of modern medicine, there are various ways to overcome presbyopia, such as special adjustable glasses, night vision, scopes and other optical sighting devices.

Glaucoma

While there are several types of glaucoma, the disorder usually occurs from a buildup of internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP). This increased pressure damages the eye’s optic nerve, disrupting the transmission of visual information to the brain. This disrupt in transmission of visual information can cause a decreased ability to see at the edges of your vision (peripheral vision). Progressive glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness. Glaucoma surgery, lasers, medication and eye drops are the most common solutions for glaucoma, depending on the severity of the disorder.

Cataracts

The eye’s cornea directs light onto the lens, and the lens focuses the light onto the retina. The lens also adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. Cataracts occur when the protein in the eye’s lens clumps together to cloud a small area. Cataracts can grow larger over time and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Cataract surgery, bifocals, magnification and other visual aids are the most common solutions for glaucoma, depending on their severity.

Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration, also known as AMD or ARMD, is the degeneration of the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for the sharp, central vision needed to read or drive. Macular degeneration can be either dry (non-neovascular) or wet (neovascular). Neovascular macular degeneration refers to the growth of new blood vessels where they are not supposed to be. The dry form is more common than the wet form, and the wet form usually leads to more serious vision loss. While there is no cure for age-related macular degeneration, there are treatments to delay its progression. By looking out for these vision conditions and protecting your eyes, you’ll be seeing clearly and shooting well at any age.

About the Author

Caitlin is a shooter who works with Superfocus, the makers of an adjustable focus lens for presbyopia that is popular amongst shooters. She is also a member of Steve’s Angels, the moderators of the Superfocus Staying on Target community for shooters overcoming age related vision changes. The Staying on Target community and OnTarget blog provides information and commentary on shooting, aging and vision and is located online at https://shoot.superfocus.com/.

@SuperfocusShoot

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“Guns also appear to be the great equalizer among the sexes. Murder rates decline when either more women or more men carry concealed handguns, but the effect is especially pronounced for women. One additional woman carrying a concealed handgun reduces the murder rate for women by about 3-4 times more than one additional man carrying a concealed handgun reduces the murder rate for men. This occurs because allowing a woman to defend herself with a concealed handgun produces a much larger change in her ability to defend herself than a change created by providing a man with a handgun.”~ More Guns, Less Crime by John Lott

It’s not just about equal pay and equal rights. If you’re petite and have a taste for stilettos, you’re not going to have much luck fighting off a 6’2” 200 lb attacker. How do we even the odds? John Lott makes a rock hard case as to why all women should have a gun. Living in New York City, it’s been tough finding other women who have the same attitude of guns that I do. Generally, I found those of my sex have a fear of guns. They seem to think that having the potential to lethally harm someone seems incongruous to a woman’s “tender nature”.

Positive stories about guns are scarce in NYC, so I stick to websites like Girl’s Guide to Guns for information on guns particularly for women. One of their articles suggested a “Range Night Out with the Girls” as a get together, and I thought this might be a good way to bond with my sister. So I asked her out on a range date.

LivingSocial offered us an amazing deal with West Side Rifle & Pistol Range. We signed up for a shooting lesson with a classroom safety course, one-on-one supervision, a shooting session with ammo, protective gear, and targets! They had to conduct a background check on each of us before we could make our appointments.

When we arrived in front of the building, it was not what I had expected. It looked like an ordinary office building. And then we saw a sign that led us downstairs. For some reason I was expecting this ominous looking place reeking of gunpowder, but it was hardly that. The place was bustling with activity, and the atmosphere was surprisingly congenial and relaxed. We had a few minutes so we both grabbed some coffee. By the time everyone was in the training room, it was 11 people. They were all women except for the one white guy who was with an Asian girl. It appeared to be a date. They were thrill seekers and were discussing having taken flight lessons together. Most of the women had come because they were looking to try something new.

John, the instructor, got my attention right away. I hope my gulping wasn’t too loud when I saw all his tattoos. He looked like he had stepped out of an episode of Miami Ink. But he knew what he was doing and had the utmost patience when I asked him several times how to load and reload. He seemed a natural as an instructor with his easy going style.

In no time at all, we were putting rounds into our magazines. The women appeared to enjoy this part because it gave us a chance to chat. It turned out one of the women was from France who considered a gun range interesting enough to make a tourist stop. By the third magazine, I had gotten into a rhythm loading the bullets. I was getting more and more lead on my index finger and was observing with child-like curiosity. One of the women was freaking out about the lead on her fingers and shuffled several times to the bathroom to wash her hands. But in conversation, she seemed quite normal otherwise.

They started passing out the protective eye gear and shooting ear muffs. And soon we were off shooting at our targets. Our weapons were Ruger .22 caliber rifles. Eventually, I learned how to reload and unload without assistance. But did have to ask the instructor for help a few times when the bullet got jammed. After a while, it wasn’t about knowing how to shoot, but shooting for accuracy. I have a bad habit of not being able to do things halfway. I knew had to do it again.

I had such a good experience at West Side Rifle & Pistol Range, I would certainly go back. The place demystifies guns and makes ordinary people feel that they can handle firearms. There’s nothing fancy about the place, but the people who run it are friendly and helpful. I found out later that a lot of celebrities use this range to practice before movie shoots. Robert DeNiro filmed one of the scenes here for “Taxi Driver” and has been back several times. A photo of him at the range is prominently displayed in the hallway. The television series “Law & Order” shoots some of their scenes there as well. But even if I don’t run into anyone famous, it’s a comfortable place to come and hang out for a few hours and shoot. After posting photos on online, I had a half a dozen girlfriends tell me they were also interested in going to the range.

I was glad to elicit some interest in guns from my girlfriends with my gun outing. Let’s not forget, the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote wasn’t ratified till 1920, but the 2nd Amendment which was adopted in 1791 was meant for BOTH men and women. We should in no way let there be any infraction of the 2nd Amendment. The citizenry should be invested in the same way that the founders meant it to be: No restrictions.

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