Women’s History Month: Women Behind the Trigger

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - According to a Gallup poll, only 22% of women in the United States report they own a gun.

That’s surprising considering there are more single women than single men in the country, but what do you do if you are considering or already have firepower? What’s the first rule of gun ownership?

In case you don’t know the answer, it is every gun is loaded, so respect the weapon. The second rule is all weapons need to be maintained downward and away from you or anyone else and the third is always to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

LaQuinta Chambers says it is important for her to understand the nuances so she can feel safer.

“My biggest concern was handling and the position of it and what to do with my fingers,” said LaQuinta. “I was against having guns and all that stuff, but the way our world is right now you should be able to have protection.”

Television makes using a gun look stylish and even sexy.

In reality, it is serious business and can keep you from becoming a victim. That is one reason Matt Schaffer spends time instructing anyone who comes to his gun range on the correct way to clean your weapon, load your weapon, and the proper way to stand even before he allows anyone to shoot the weapon.

“This day and time I think it’s critical for a woman to know how to use a firearm not only for target practice on the range but absolutely for the necessity of self-defense,” Schafer explained. “Things are changing every day the world’s not getting any better and I feel like everybody should have the opportunity and knowledge to defend themselves.”

“You want to have the feeling that you are able to protect yourself, and being able to do it and it kind of comes naturally in a sense made me feel confident that if something ever happened I would be able to protect myself,” said Lauren Kim Chambers. She says she feels like all young women should be able to do the same.

I spoke with Lawton Police Chief James Smith about how important it is to protect yourself and loved ones by having a gun in your home.

He says he always recommends the weapon be kept in a safe box or use a trigger guard. The chief says you do not have to report that you have a gun to the police department, however, should you get stopped while in your vehicle and you have the gun on you calmly report it to the officer.

He says there are multiple ways of carrying your weapon safely.

“Of course women carry purses and you can buy a purse holster, but also there are hosters you can buy what we call a low profile hoster that women who wear a blazer or jacket that people can conceal that way,” Smith explained.

Schaffer says there is more to owning a gun than the purchase.

“It’s not something that you pick up and use effectively and efficiently in a situation when your adrenaline is flowing and your life or the people you care for could possibly be on the line,” Schaffer shared. “Get out, train with it, learn how to use it, and invest as much effort into owning the firearm responsibly as you put into picking it out.”

As the three of us finished our day on the range, the feelings were amazing.

“It was fun, I felt powerful,” LaQuinta said.

“It was liberating,” Lauren shared.

I must admit, IT WAS EXCILLERATING!

Tarra Bates, 7News.

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