WomenShooters

Barbara · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 74

Hoping for some input here, since you all are the first participants. Smile

I'd really like to see this website evolve into a good resource for shooters..geared towards women in particular but something that anyone might find something to learn.

A couple of people have asked me why, when I'm usually opposed to women's sections of message boards, I would start this, and its a valid question. But in general, I find that those little pretty pink places end up with either men posting disinformation in an effort to be helpful, or else that shooting is not discussed at all.

I've also found that way too often information presented to women, when it is correct, is actually information being presented to new shooters, and would be better given that designation. Yes, women are often new shooters, as are men, but we don't stay that way..where do we discuss stuff once we already have the basics covered? Usually, on the main portion of websites, as it should be.

But what if you're on a department and want to know what kind of plate carrier works best with a bigger chest, or want to talk about what kind of holsters people have tried that worked well for your body shape, or maybe even what the best way to carry a gun is when you are also carrying a toddler on your hip? Women are so spread out over the web, and few on gun websites, that its hard to have one of those conversations and get any meaningful number of responses? So, by gathering us all in one spot, there's more opportunity to get answers to those questions.

And let's be honest..often times, women are more comfortable talking to other women, and we can also provide good role models women who want to shoot but don't know anyone to get them started.

Men are absolutely welcome here, as long as they're productive and aren't posting drivel. We've got some excellent male instructors on board who, of the ones I know, are universally supportive of the idea that women deserve the same high set of expectations for learning as male students.

New shooters are also more than welcome here, and hopefully find it a helpful place with solid information they can use. But we will never assume that they're intending to stay new shooters. Basic information should be presented as first steps, not final steps.

I'd like to see this website eventually become more than a webforum, with how-to-resources, where to find equipment, events, that kind of thing..one step at a time, though.

At some point, I'm going to do another rifle build to document it, to show that its not that difficult. I'll take photos and post what I'm doing. Other people are encouraged to do the same thing on topics they're familiar with.

So for the other folks here, let me ask what your thoughts are for this forum and what would make it more useful or interesting to you. Many of you have expressed a feeling of responsibility to get this off the ground and provide a great women shooters site, so speak up and let the rest of us know what you think would make it better.

Thanks!
B.

KeithD · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 9:13 am Post subject:

I think your doing a great thing here Barb. We have a lot of women go through our classes, around a third of every class. After talking to most they were very hesitant to get involved in shooting. Most of the reasons are what you posted above, their treated like they are inferior.

In my experience, women learn faster and retain more information. They dont have that male bravado of "Im a man I already know how to shoot" to have to work past.

Keep up the good work, its going to be a long road but you are doing a great thing here. And I think this will grow into a very big very informitive website.

Anything that gets more shooters into the sport has my full support and I will definitely start passing this on to students.

Anything I can do to help you know where im at.
_________________
Liberty Defense Training, LLC
Owner/Lead Instructor
Keith@LibertyDefenseTraining.com
www.LibertyDefenseTraining.com

Pat A · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 12

I think you're doing everything possible at the moment, Barb - and thank you for doing it. It will take time to build a large and loyal following, but once that happens you'll be able to take the sense of the group and move the site in the direction in needs to move.

I might suggest a forum on first impressions: i.e., what encouraged your participation in shooting? What type of shooting is your primary motivation? Hunting, self-defense, target or competitive, other? Maybe reports on both gun shops and ranges, so we can build a resource of women-friendly as well as women-antagonistic businesses for people to use as a reference.

Here's another - a calendar for women-centric and gun rights events to be posted.

Anybody else?

Smile

Desofl · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 9

When there are more folks on here, a section for area-specific events, training or meets might be nice. It wouldn't require a section for each state; just one place to put events. (i.e. - Texas/Tiger Valley..... )

Barbara · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 74

Those are good ideas to improve this?

Pat, with the smaller group we have here already, maybe we could start that discussion now in the general section and then move it on to its own forum it the future as we grow?

Pat A · Joined: 28 May 2011 Posts: 12

Sounds like a plan.