Gun Safety for Women

Gun safety for women is no different from gun safety for men. The techniques are the same, as are methods in teaching, although for some women the fear of using a firearm may need to be addressed.

Overcoming Apprehension

• Tool of Protection

  Thomas Lipscomb, an NRA certified instructor of Atlanta Firearms Training, advises overcoming fear of using the firearm (noise, recoil) and thinking of weapons as tools for protection. He suggests training for proficiency. Familiarize yourself at the range with the gun, trigger control, and the gun grip. Holding the firearm improperly will put the shooter off balance and lessen accuracy. Control your breathing; holding your breath at the moment of firing will permit the body to be still and increase accuracy.

Train Often

• Train for proficiency.

  Lipscomb says that in emergency situations shooters default to the lowest level of training that is most comfortable. By training frequently, women become more proficient at the lowest level of training--knowing your firearm, controlled breathing, stance and grip. When training, always use hearing and eye protection.

NRA Fundamentals

• Unloaded for safety.

  The National Rifle Association lists these three guidelines as the fundamental safety rules for handling firearms: Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction; keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire; keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.