Leeza Gibbons demonstrates what to do if an attacker grabs your hair. This type of attack is extremely painful and disorienting, so knowing how to break free is imperative. Be sure and spread the word on this potentially life-saving skill. Share with friends and family – keep your loved ones safe!

For more information on Shield Self Defense, check out ShieldSelfDefense.com.

Leeza Gibbons for American Now demonstrates what to do when an attacker grabs your hair.

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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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Click here for the link to the full video.

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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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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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Monday Jul 4 2011

With her chic black hat and monochrome dress, most people probably assumed the well-dressed woman in the front passenger seat of the Rolls Royce at the recent royal wedding was the bride’s designer.

Far from being there to protect Kate Middleton’s crisp white frock from creases and spillages, though, elegant Emma Probert was there to protect her life.

The Duchess of Cambridge is just the latest A-lister to put her life in the hands of a lady — close protection officer 39-year-old Sergeant Probert.

Other celebs to favour a female bodyguard in the past include her husband Prince William, Nicole Kidman, Katie Price and Justin Bieber.

And Colonel Gaddafi is flanked by 40 female bodyguards, known as The Revolutionary Nuns.

With a remake of 1992 blockbuster The Bodyguard in the works, Hollywood may have to rethink its stereotype of the bullet-dodging bloke in a black suit, shades and earpiece.

Less conspicuous but just as capable as their male counterparts, girl bodyguards are on the rise, says Ireland’s most in-demand one.

“Kevin Costner has a lot to answer for,” laughs bodyguard Lisa Baldwin (27) from Clontarf.

“The reality is nothing like the movie — it’s not all about jumping in front of bullets and falling in love with your client.”

At 5ft 6, size 10 and blonde, former professional swimmer Lisa certainly has little in common with big-screen bodyguards such as Costner, Clint Eastwood (In the Line of Fire) and Denzel Washington (Man on Fire).

“When I started out eight years ago, I was the only woman on my training course,” says Lisa, who travels the world guarding Middle Eastern royals on holidays. “But now it’s becoming more popular.”

Read this post in it’s entirety here:

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/woman/life/the-female-bodyguard-who-protects-kate-middleton-16019299.html

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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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“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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I will admit, I was a bit nervous going in as, based on the course descriptions, these were going to be way beyond anything I had ever encountered in my gun experience. Just reading about Garret’s background made me think, “OK, what am I signing up for?”, but when we spoke on the phone, he assured me that I wouldn’t be the weakest link and that I would have a lot of fun.

Ok, let me give you a little background on Garret so you can understand my apprehension.  He’s an Israeli soldier who served with a Special Forces Counter-Terrorism unit named “Duvdevan” in the IDF – which translates to poisonous cherry, as he explained on our way to lunch.  In this role, he was tasked with urban warfare and counter-terror operations in the West Bank.  Um, hello, that’s like the bad-ass Israeli version of Jack Bauer, except for real… Y-I-K-E-S! And here I was, willingly signing up to spend 2 days with Mr. Machine, taking both the Israeli Instinctive Shooting courses he was offering – Basic Pistol and Urban Warfare Tactics!

Don't let his boyish good looks fool you. Beneath that friendly exterior lies an Israeli fighting machine!

I was also worried that I’d be the one woman in a class full of big, burly men that were in special forces or SWAT (or, more likely, thought they were…).  Although in my younger years I had dreams of being a super-spy, this was the first time I was taking any sort of serious tactical training.  Fortunately what I found in the class was a welcoming environment, where Garret treated everyone equally, and a class of people who all had their strengths and weaknesses to work on – whew!

The class itself was wonderful, if not painful.  We began the day with SAFETY!  Pretty much the most important thing when handling firearms.  Not only did Garret ensure our ammo was all locked safely in our cars as we would begin with dry firing, but he taught us how to clear the firearm properly, which we did after every exercise.  This immediately put me at ease.  Part of it was to instill a culture of safety, but also to get us used to doing these exercises to the point where they become muscle memory. I do know that since the course I always clear my Glock the way he taught me.

Garret was also excellent at quickly recognizing my areas of weakness and offering suggestions for improvement.  While going through the various exercises both in dry fire and with live fire, he would yell at me to fix my mistakes or move more quickly… ok, so maybe a bit scary in the beginning, but eventually it went from fear to something that made me want to do everything correctly and as quickly and safely as possible in order to prove to Garret that not only was I listening to what he was teaching us, but I was taking those lessons and putting them into action.  I realize now the reason he did this to simulate, as close as possible to the real thing, a stressful situation that I could find myself in when using my firearm; this actually ended up helping me focus more on the task at hand.  He was also ensuring I would think about everything that had to be done to get from the start of the exercise to slowly clearing the gun.  One of the most important lessons I learned is that speed is not always the most important thing – staying aware of my situation, even it it meant taking an extra half-second to think through it, ensured that I acted in a safe and appropriate manner.

You might be wondering what I learned during these two days of hell training.  On day 1, I learned the ideal body shooting position, drawing from concealed carry, jam correction, proper body positioning for search mode versus distance clearing mode, and even what to do if you fall while shooting, among other things. Day 2 was much more intense and included using cover, how to clear and search rooms, doorways and hallways (which, as Garret explained, any city or location can be viewed in this way), how to shoot as both a driver and a passenger in a car, and much much more.  The photo below doesn’t do it justice, but is a small sample of what I got to do.

Garret demonstrates proper technique for shooting a target through a doorway.

Now, people who know me know that I’m both über-competitive and a perfectionist (yes, I’m a proud Type-A), so I did have to constantly remind myself that when Garret learned these skills and many, many more, he did it over 24 grueling months of training and three years of active duty service.  So the fact that I was good-not-great (-sometimes-bad) was OK by me.  And the best part is that I got both Garret’s book Israeli Security Concepts and his DVD Ultimate Israeli Instinctive Shooting and Pistol Combat Training so I could continue practicing these skills long after he returned home.

It was interesting, near the end of day 2, Garret asked us which was more important – training or experience.  I knew the answer to be experience, but at the same time I think a combination of the two are just as important.  You can have great experience but with no training, you might not be doing things correctly.  So ladies, here’s my advice to you: if you see a firearms course that looks interesting you to, check it out and sign up for it.  Even if it seems too advanced.  If you’re with a great instructor like Garret, he or she will be able to cater the training to yours and others progress, and instill a new confidence in you that you previously didn’t have.  However, if you choose to take one of Garret’s courses or any course for that matter, heed a few pieces of advice:

• You should be familiar with your firearm – you end up putting around 200+ rounds through your firearm each day, so this is not a time to be trying out something new.
• You should be in fairly good shape – I wasn’t the best, I wasn’t the worst, but I certainly have stepped up my strength training so that when Garret comes for the next round of training, I’ll be better prepared physically.
• Speaking of being prepared physically – you need to be strong not only in your arms (which is where I concentrated my efforts pre-training) but also in your legs (which I neglected and therefore suffered the consequences post-training). If you need some tips, we put together a post on exercises for shooting recently.
• Individual courses should be part of a larger training program – as with any pursuit, training and experience are necessary to become even proficient in it, so once you sign up for this or any other firearms training course, make sure you continue to practice what you learned long after the instructor leaves, and continually educate yourself.  This can even be in the form of participating in IDPA – I did so a week after my training with Garret and the women I shoot with mentioned a noticeable change in my ability!

So what was I left with other than a sore body and a few cuts & bruises?  A new confidence when carrying my pistol, skills that I continue to practice so they become “muscle memory” and I’m comfortable using them, a huge appreciation for what the men and women of Israel’s military go through, a stronger sense of the ability to defend myself in certain situations, and in the words of Bridget Jones, let’s face it, a bit of a crush now, actually! 

——————————–

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, Garret travels around the country offering various training seminars that are part of the Israeli Professional Tactical Training (IPTT), which is a program under the International Haganah Federation (IHF).  It consists of 21 individual training segments, including the two I took.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t give a great big Texas-sized shout-out to Dan from Austin Self Defense, who coordinates the IPTT training for the Central US region – without his help this never could have happened.  If you’re interested in self-defense courses in general, Austin Self Defense is a great place to do it.  Honestly, if they weren’t located so darn far from where I live, I’d definitely be taking part in some of their regular programs, which include Krav Maga, Haganah, and other fitness; some of the self defense-specific courses they have are hand-to-hand tactics and self defense as well as tactical knife courses.

Garret has plans to be back in the Central Texas area every couple months, and we’re happy to get you in touch with Dan from Austin Self Defense if you’re interested.  His email is dan@austinselfdefense.com and his phone number is 512-918-9999.  If you’re in the Miami area and want to learn more or set up some training, call 954-475-2333, and in New England, 610-888-8212.  If you’re located elsewhere or have any questions for Garret, you can reach him at garretmachine@yahoo.com.  Just be sure and tell Dan & Garret that Katie from GG2G sent you!

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Susan shows the guys how it's done. Photo by David Jenkins.

1. How did you become involved with the world of firearms?

My husband grew up with firearms, but didn’t tell me about that until two years into our marriage, at which point he insisted on taking me to the range.  I have to tell you that I was just terrible at shooting (I was afraid of the recoil and I’d close my eyes when I squeezed the trigger).  Once I got a laser on the gun I could see what I was doing wrong and I could easily fix it.  At that point shooting became really fun.

2. Tell me about the history of your company.

I was a professor in optical science and engineering at a major research university (and a new mom) and my husband was an entrepreneur.  Both of us had backgrounds in laser science.  Back then, the Department of Corrections in Utah was having problems with prison riots.  The guards had submachine guns, but prisoners were non-compliant.  Lasers were big and fragile back then, but someone mounted one onto one of the guns, and suddenly the prisoners became compliant — they understood the meaning of the laser beam.  Another company started making lasers for law enforcement firearms and they had a similar psychological effect, but they were also very big and klunky (and fragile).  My husband and I were curious, so we visited NYPD and asked why they didn’t use lasers.  The officers complained that they needed lasers that were “rugged as the gun”.  We took that as a challenge and came out with the guide rod laser (which is indeed as rugged as the gun).  They are very popular.  Now we make all kinds of lasers for military, law enforcement and civilians for personal protection.

3. Tell me a bit about your products and what makes them different from other laser sights on the market.

We are all about Precision and Protection.  Our guide rod lasers for semi-auto pistols are the top of the line.  They are easy to install – it takes just a few minutes.  Since the laser is internal, the laser is compatible with holsters, and most people wouldn’t know it’s there at all — until you turn it on.  These guide rod lasers are extremely rugged, and the “cool” factor is unbeatable.  They are used by elite forces and ordinary civilians alike.  They were the first practical laser aiming device, and are still very popular today.

We also have an extensive line of external lasers for revolvers, rifles and shotguns.  We make them with green beams for daylight use, red beams for night and indoors, and infrared for law enforcement and military.  If you own a firearm, chances are that LaserMax makes a laser for it.

In general, we make sure that our lasers are easy to use.  They are designed with all the law-enforcement approved safety features, and you never have to align your laser when you change batteries.

4. I think laser sights are fantastic, but one argument I’ve heard against them is that you don’t want a would-be assailant to see you coming. Laser sights might clue them in to the fact that you’re around the corner when you would rather stay hidden. What do you say to that? Is there a way to prevent such an occurrence?

Yes, of course.  We agree whole-heartedly.  Our lasers have a deliberate on/off activation button so you can control the beam.

5. Do you have any tips or tricks for the proper use of a LaserMax laser sight?

First, they’re great for training.  You can get immediate feedback on your shooting form and correct any deficiencies very quickly.  They’re also great for dry-fire practice when you can’t get to the range.

Second, practice both conventional shooting stance, and non-conventional (like weak hand shooting or shooting from a sitting position).

Third, consider what type of laser best fits your needs.  Most folks who keep a firearm for personal safety at home expect to use it indoors and/or at night.  A red laser works great in those conditions.  If you work outside in the daytime a lot and need to have your firearm, you’re better off with a green laser like our Uni-Green or our Genesis because the green laser beam shows up better in those conditions.

6. What percentage of LaserMax employees is female?

About 50%

7. I can imagine being around guys all the time can wear on your femininity a bit. What do you do to keep things girly?

I go shopping with my daughter!  (Actually, we go shooting together, too.)  Also I am an NRA Instructor and  I teach with a great group of ladies.  We run ladies-only Basic Pistol classes.  It’s a lot of fun.

That's Susan at far right.

Susan at back far left

8. What advice do you have for women who are interested in the shooting sports but have yet to try it out?

Start with a firearms safety class.  Decide what you want to shoot and why (pistol or rifle, sporting  or personal protection) and then take an introductory class for that, like basic pistol, then a personal protection inside the home.  The NRA has an excellent selection of courses taught by certified instructors. Some ladies find it less intimidating to take a ladies-only class, if you can find one.  Once you start shooting, though, the fun takes over and it doesn’t really matter who’s teaching as long as they’re safe and knowledgeable.  Then practice.  Finding a shooting buddy or a regular event like IDPA ups the fun.  I particularly like the moving drills.

Thanks, Susan! Your leadership among ladies in the firearms industry is greatly appreciated. Thanks for paving the way. We look forward to chatting again in the very near future! - nf

Check back soon for a review of some LaserMax products!

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