By Ava Jones
avajones1@yahoo.com
KeepAndBearArms.org Editorialist
Reprinted from the KeepAndBearArms.org Email Report
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Sometime in the first half of 1997, I learned what a considered opinion was. It was a life-changing event for me. Up until that time, I had many opinions, but I couldn't tell you anything substantive to back them up. In fact, I had picked up many of my opinions from a 1-minute spot on the evening news or from a 500-word article in the paper. My opinions were someone else's opinions; I never stopped to think about the other side of the argument. Guns are by the far my best example of this.
I started dating Jim in January 1997. He was a wonderful man and we really connected right from the start. Soon thereafter Jim told me he carries a gun, all - the - time, and owns several other handguns and rifles. My initial reaction was that this guy was either a psycho or paranoid.
But the psycho/paranoid profile did not fit him. He was a software developer, loved people, and was very confident in his abilitiesÉ I was confused. Guns were not part of my background. I truly knew nothing about them, but right away I told Jim that in my opinion what he was doing was bad and wrong . I later found out that I did not have a considered opinion about guns.
Eventually Jim persuaded me to shoot a gun. He set up a very safe and gentle environment to learn. We went out alone into the woods, he held my back while I shot and the minute I wanted to stop, we did. He also continued to ask me how I was feeling and what I thought of it (women love that). We would take breaks and he would give me some background on the mechanics of guns and their history and finally about the movement in the country to take guns away from its citizens.
Looking back, this environment was essential for me to develop my considered opinion É without it I may not have continued to try shooting again, and again. I have since seen many women at the range or out in the woods with their man acting like a drill Sergeant. I understand that being safe is important, but if we are going to make a difference in the world, women have to be enrolled into owning gunsÑand women do learn differently than men.
Eventually I learned about the 2nd Amendment. At this point I agreed to go through the CCW class for the educationÑto increase my awareness, but I had no intention of ever carrying a gun. After the class and talking with many people, there was no question in my mind that I wanted to carry a gun and be able to protect myself. I was not going to be a victim, and I wanted to exercise my 2nd amendment rightÑThe Freedom Right. What I got was much more than that.
The first day I went out in public with a gun on, I cried from when I got in Jim's car until we arrived at our destination 25 minutes later. I was overwhelmed by the power of having the ability to kill someone. I thought I would not be able to carry a gun again, but then my feeling changed from the power to kill to the power to protect. I took a GunSite training course that continued my education and training. Most importantly, the GunSite course gave me the confidence I needed to know that I was not dangerous in public or at home, but rather very safe. As a woman, I had now leveled the field.
I now firmly believe that many people, especially women, become victims because they avoid (unconsciously) taking responsibility for their protection, which comes in many forms, not just guns. I have a sister who has 9 police reports for crimes committed against her and yet she continues to dye her brown hair blonde and act like the stereotypical blonde. She has become an easy target. When I have my gun on, I carry myself differently, I am more alert and more confidentÉ predators can smell this and stay away from me. Carrying a gun is an extra layer of protection I have added to the many other tools I employ.
After 3 years of being around guns and 21Ú2 years of having a CCW permit, my considered opinion is this:
The media, in conjunction with the politicians, brainwashed me at a young age into thinking that citizens with guns are dangerous and that anyone who owns a gunÑespecially more than oneÑis crazy. I now believe that if every American was given an opportunity, such as I had, to shoot a gun, learn gun safety, carry a gun, and read the 2nd Amendment, that a large percentage of Americans would change their minds about their current anti-gun stance. They would have a considered opinion, based on their own experience, not another's.
Proper training and education was essential for me. I have taken gun courses, and I train on a regular basis. Since I now have guns in my home, I have made sure that everyone else who lives there is trained and educated in gun safety and use.
To all the men who understand, who have a considered opinion, encourage your wives, girlfriends and daughters to get educated. Send them to a class that will take special care of women. The gift I have received from Jim went well beyond gun education; I have become a woman who is more aware of all aspects of my life and my being. I now pause to consider all my opinions, which has increased both my personal power and wealth. Wealth? Yes, because a confident person is a person others trust, promote, respect and pursue to be part of a winning team.
Thank you, Jim, and all the boyfriends, husbands, brothers and dad's who share the freedom you know with the women you love.
Ava Jones
KeepAndBearArms.org Editorialist
Reprinted from the KeepAndBearArms.org Email Report
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Letter to the Editor of Keep and Bear Arms.org
In response to Guns Empower Women
by Ava Jones
VERY good words! I too, am a female living in a large city. I was also very uncomfortable with guns and was equally blessed with a patient teacher, my husband.
I love to hike in the hills alone, and carrying a gun has given me a security I never knew before. If I encountered strange males out alone, I always felt vulnerable. Carrying a gun gave me a power I love! Ava's comments on How to Teach gun use to women are so critical. If we're treated like military subordinates, we'll never be interested in guns. Take us gently through the process, it's a whole new world! Thanks Ava,
Stephanie Adlhoch
awake@cheerful.com
Angel and Friends,
Fantastic article! This is the best one yet. I've just forwarded it all over the Internet (several U.S. Reps and Senators are among the recipients); this article should be required reading for every man, woman, and child in this country - and in others as well. Simply excellent.
Take care, God bless, and keep up the great work.
Best Regards,
Mike Rapchak Jr.
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