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SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22 | OCTOBER 2017
14 FEATURE
WE CAN BE BOTH SIX INSPIRING YOUNG SURE SHOTS PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT GIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING (AND EXCEL!).
28 FEATURE
DANCER & HUNTER AN INTEREST IN HUNTING TAKES 14-YEAR-OLD EMILY PILLA ON MANY GREAT ADVENTURES.
TRAINING 06 TEEN COACH: KYLEIGH HAYWORTH 09 RESOURCES: YOUTH TRAINING AND CAMPS 10 WHAT’S IN MY BAG: 3-GUN EDITION 12
SISTER ACT: JUSTINE AND JALISE WILLIAMS
FEATURE PICTORIAL BY DUSTIN MEYER 30 5-YEAR-OLD KATE METZ DOES IT ALL, MAKING US WISH WE COULD #BELIKEKATE
Photo by Mike Metz.
LIFESTYLE 38 KEEPING SAFE WITH KIDDOS 41
WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY: JEN RAMSAY
42 BULLETPROOF BACKPACKS 45 DIY: EASY EAR PRO CUSTOMIZATION
FROM THE EDITOR
T
hose who know me know that the thing about Sure Shots that makes me most proud is our youth shooters—the young girls who decided they wanted to compete in shooting sports and were not at all deterred by the fact they’d be competing against and alongside grown men. These Sure Shots blow me away every time I get to see them shoot, but they also impress me daily when their parents post photos on social media of their daughters excelling in other areas, too, which is why I was so excited to highlight these superstars in this issue. This summer we had our fifth annual Sure Shots Youth Training Day, where 12 of our Sure Shots girls ages 5-12 went the distance, inspiring me to write an open letter to them and to all girls who are breaking stereotypes and shattering norms, and I’ll share it here, for the many many other girls in this world doing the same: 1. S TRONG GIRLS EXCEED EXPECTATION, CRUSH MOLDS AND REDEFINE NORMS. You young ladies compete alongside some of the biggest, toughest men without so much as batting an eye or thinking twice (and often many of you beat them!). 2. HARD WORK AND DEDICATION PAY OFF. You’ve all made so much progress so quickly by setting goals and following through. 3. GIRLS SUPPORTING GIRLS IS THE SECRET TO FEMALE DOMINATION. You’re all always so willing to share knowledge, as well as gear, with your fellow Sure Shots, and clearly want everyone to succeed. 4. N O ONE HAS TO BE JUST ONE THING. Having interests in opposite ends of the spectrum make for a most interesting and adventurous life. Dancers, martial artists, cheerleaders—you’re ALL so well-rounded, and it’s a joy to watch you kicking butt in other arenas. 5. HAVING FUN SHOULD ALWAYS BE A TOP PRIORITY. You all truly enjoy the shooting sports and have a blast practicing and competing, and your enthusiasm is contagious.
7. S UCCESS AND POPULARITY AREN’T MEASURED BY LIKES OR FOLLOWERS, BUT BY THE PEOPLE YOU IMPACT AND CONNECT WITH ON A DAILY BASIS. But y’all already know this. 8. THE WORLD IS YOURS FOR THE TAKING! Keep RULING.
Shoot straight, -Niki
4 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
Niki Jones photo by Annie Ray. Group photo courtesy of Sure Shots.
6. N O ONE IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN A SMART, UNIQUE YOUNG LADY WHO IS TRULY HERSELF. Each of you have all three of these qualities.
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FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Niki Jones ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND WEBMASTER
Carrin Welch
COPY EDITOR
Jenna Johnson
CONTENT DIRECTOR
Nicole Maddocks
CONTRIBUTORS
Johnny Campos Anthony Collier Leia Edmonds Donna Hayworth Kyleigh Hayworth Sarah Hernandez Kim Metz Mike Metz Dustin Meyer Emily Pilla Mike Pilla Jennifer Thomas Annie Ray Oleg Volk
Sure Shots Magazine is a free publication. For submission requirements, email sureshotsmagazine@gmail.com. All content ©2017 Sure Shots Magazine. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at sureshotsmag.com. For ad sales contact SureShotsMagAds@gmail.com.
100-YARD INDOOR RANGE | REDSGUNS.COM
6 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
TEENCOACH
Photos courtesy of Donna Hayworth.
15-YEAR-OLD COMPETITIVE SHOOTER KYLEIGH HAYWORTH SHARES HER EXPERIENCE COACHING YOUNG SURE SHOTS
Since it began in 2013, I have been fortunate enough to have been part of the annual Sure Shots/BSG Security youth training day held at Best of the West Shooting Sports. It is a great camp that helps encourage and teach young girls about the basics of firearm safety and training. This year I was given a chance to coach a group of five aspiring competitive shooters and had a blast! As a coach, I was in charge of creating and running the girls through certain drills. All of the girls had already started competing and were familiar with the rules of firearm safety. My job was to hopefully present the girls with some new challenges and push them. Since the majority of the girls shoot rimfire, I wanted them to practice the action of actually drawing from their holster. One of the first drills we did as a warm-up was to draw and put one shot on target. After running this a few times, we added another shot and eventually transitioned between two targets. Once they were comfortable with all of those drills, it was time to add some movement. Nothing too crazy, just some running back and forth between shooting boxes. When that got too easy, we added reloads, which I knew would be a foreign concept for the girls. We ran a bunch of different drills, some easy and some more challenging. But the main goal of all of them was to push the girls a little outside of their comfort zone. Afterall, you can’t succeed if you never try. With things like drawing and putting one shot on target, I wanted to see how fast I could get the girls to accurately find their front sight. As far as all the movement, I wanted them to know how to safely move with a weapon, which a lot of the girls had never done before. While learning these things may not be hard, perfecting them is what adds up in the long run and eventually wins the game. There were moments when some struggled with certain drills, but overall they did amazing. And at the end of the day, I’m glad they struggled, because that meant I was doing my job as a coach by pushing them, but also because this training day was the perfect place for them to learn. As a whole, all the girls who came out and shot that day, competitive or not, did absolutely amazing and I couldn’t be more proud of them. The other coaches did a great job, and I am happy to say that safety was everyone’s top priority. I remember when I was one of those girls and it was truly an honor to be able to pass on my knowledge and help encourage the next generation of shooters.
Follow Kyleigh and her 3-Gun journey at kyleighshoots.com.
Working on moving and shooting with Shyanne Roberts
“I’m glad they struggled, because that meant I was doing my job as a coach by pushing them.”
Working on timed mag changes with Alpha Addy.
SURESHOTSMAG.COM | 7
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YOUTH TRAINING BY JENNA JOHNSON The world of shooting sports is certainly gaining momentum, and the next generation of champions is coming up quickly. There are many local and national resources for youth training, camps for hunting and even for outdoor survival. We’ve compiled a few of our favorites, but there are many more out there, so check your local ranges to see what they offer. If your kiddo is not quite ready for summer camp or classes, you can find great videos on firearm safety with the NRA Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program at eddieeagle.nra.org. SCHOLASTIC SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION Scholastic Action Shooting Program program offers youth from 5th grade through college the opportunity to safely participate in team-based action shooting sports with a focus on “fair play, compassionate understanding, individual responsibility, sportsmanship, self-discipline and personal commitment.” Scholastic Clay Target Program focuses on the sports of Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays, as well as the Olympic disciplines of Bunker Trap, Trap Doubles and International Skeet. Both are overseen by Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation. NATIONAL 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS Many local chapters of 4-H provide firearms training to students who are interested in the shooting sports, and focus on safety and marksmanship in several disciplines including archery, muzzle loading, pistol, rifle and shotgun. Competitions are held at the county, regional, state and national levels. Young ladies with three or more years in the 4-H Shooting Sports program can qualify for the Daisy/4-H Shooting Sports Scholarship, which is awarded each year at the National Invitational. USA SHOOTING YOUTH PROGRAMS USA Shooting is dedicated to the development of junior shooters with an emphasis and focus on junior athletes to one day represent the USA in the Olympic Games, Pan America Games and the World Shooting Championships. USA Shooting provides training and sponsorship to assist dedicated junior shooters to achieve their goals, including traveling outside the USA for competitions. TED NUGENT KAMP FOR KIDS This camp, founded 28 years ago by Ted Nugent, teaches marksmanship fundamentals and safety as well as archery, outdoor survival, first aid and so much more. Kamp for Kids is pro-hunting and anti-drug, and includes sessions in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and South Dakota. ALSO CHECK OUT... 2A Heritage 3Gun Junior Camps MGM Junior Shooter Camps
Photo courtesy of Ted Nugent’s Kamp for Kids.
Youth Marksmanship Camp by Dustin Ellermann NRA Youth Adventure Camp NRA Explore National Junior Shooting Camps Aurora Sportsman’s Club Monthly Youth Program The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program Ted Nugent’s Kamp for Kids
Best Shot Shooting Camps SURESHOTSMAG.COM | 9
Photo by Carrin Welch.
10 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
WHAT’S IN MY RANGE BAG? BY KYLEIGH HAYWORTH
I’m on the road just about every weekend for 3 Gun matches. I have to carry anything and everything I (or maybe one of the shooters on my squad) might need. That means that my range bags work hard. There is so much gear required in this sport that I need two bags to haul it all. Here’s what I take to every match:
3 GUN BAG This bag holds my rifle and shotgun in the main compartment, and there are pockets on the front of the bag that hold lots of smaller items. It contains:
RANGE BAG This bag holds the rest of my gear, including:
3 Pistol
3 Field cleaning kit—Just in case my gun needs a quick cleaning between stages
3R ifle sling–sometimes matches require stages to be run with a slung rifle, so I always have my sling.
3 Grip enhancer—I use this on my hands to keep my hands dry.
3 Notepad and pen— I use these to make notes about a stage or write down the distances of longrange targets.
3 Sunblock
3 Wrist coach—I use this when shooting long distance stages. I draw a quick map of the targets and their distances and slide it into the wrist coach. I wear it on my left arm so I can use this info to remind myself the “holds” for the reticle on my scope. 3 Chamber flags—These are placed in the empty chamber of a gun to show the gun is unloaded. Many matches require all guns to have chamber flags. 3 Backup BCG and small parts kit
3 Eye and ear protection for my parents and me 3 Pistol magazines 3 Towel—This can be used to cover my gun or my ammo when it’s hot outside.
3 Rangefinder—Used to check the distance of long-range targets 3 Binoculars—Used for spotting hits on long-range targets 3 Bug spray 3 Ankle and knee brace—Just in case I get injured during the match 3S hot timer—I always have mine just in case the timer used by the Range Officer malfunctions. 3B atteries—I keep spare batteries for my electronic ear protection, my scope and the shot timer . 3 Gloves—these protect me from lead when picking up steel targets or spent shotgun shells at a match. 3 Wet wipes—These are great for wiping my hands or face when it’s hot and dirty on the range. 3 Lens cleaning cloth—Used on eye protection or scope glass 3 My competition belt—This includes shotgun shell caddies and rifle and pistol magazine holders. 3 My chest rig for shotgun shells—Some stages have more than 40 targets; a chest rig lets me carry 20 more shells. 3 Chokes - I have to change my shotgun chokes several times during a match 3 Assorted small tools
Out of all of this gear, I would say my favorite three favorite things are my ESS Eye Protection, my Westone Audio electronic ear protection and my grip enhancer. My eye and ear protection do such a great job keeping me safe and are so comfortable to wear. And my grip enhancer is a favorite because it helps me keep a solid grip on my pistol even when the temps are over 100°F. SURESHOTSMAG.COM | 11
SISTER ACT
TRAINING EDITION We’ve been asked what our training entails. Our training sessions are usually one to three hours, three days a week. First, we focus on accuracy. We start out shooting twenty-yard headshots, making sure our guns are sighted in and our gear is working. To move on, we must get three shots in the head three times in a row—this gives us an opportunity to really get a feel for how our equipment is performing that day, and make any necessary adjustments (plus, we think our coach, Glen Wong, likes to torture us). When we go to our matches, We perform these our parents video every stage we shoot. We review those videos exercises until we can to see what we did well and consistently complete where our opportunities are to improve. During practice, we the drill, no matter how look at what we need to improve on and center our practice long or how many around those opportunities—for rounds it takes. example, shooting on the move or shooting at targets with hard cover or no-shoots. Our coach, Glen, helps us by always having a lesson plan prepared. Glen puts together unique drills that focus on what improvements we want to make, and we perform these exercises until we can consistently complete the drill, no matter how long or how many rounds it takes. We come back to the drill and make sure we can still consistently perform. We bounce from drill to drill depending on how well we shoot them, and then complete the lesson on either something we need to improve on or completely new concepts. Finally, to make sure we understand the material that we learned and to keep things fun, we play a game. Our games usually revolve around the drills we did that day. For example, we like shooting Sammys at 15 to 20 yards. In this game, we can see who can hit it three times in a row. We also compete to see who can get the highest hit factor in an array. After we have a good laugh at our game, we put our gear away. At the end of practice, we take notes in our shooting journals. Our notes usually focus on what we learned that day and what we must do to shoot consistently. That’s a typical day at practice for us. At the end of the day, we always strive to work hard, have fun, and stay open to learning whatever we can.
BY JALISE AND JUSTINE WILLIAMS
“”
Justine, 13
Justine, 13, and Jalise, 14, started hunting and shooting at young ages, learning to shoot rifles and shotguns. At the age of 9 and 10 years old, they were introduced to practical pistol shooting and immediately wanted to start competing. Justine and Jalise have now been shooting competitively for four years and love it. They have already broken many stereotypes and records in the shooting world and want to continue to encourage other youth as they think the range is the friendliest place on earth. Follow them at facebook.com/JaliseandJustine 12 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
Photos courtesy of Jaime WIlliams.
Jalise, 14
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Photo courtesy of Ashley and Justin Photography.
WE
CAN
BE Both
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A few years ago, our thenlittlest Sure Shot Vanessa Aguilar was shooting competitively while also cheering regularly on a team (and a Texas team, at that, for all of you who know how seriously Texans take their cheerleaders). Her mom Leia posted a pic of Vanessa in full cheer regalia, and with her permission we placed it next to an image of Vanessa shooting in her full competition rig, and the slogan “We Can Be Both” was born. Over the next few years, as more and more junior shooters began joining Sure Shot, I realized that these young girls were so wellrounded. They all seemed to have other interesting hobbies (ones usually more typical of little girls) they were excelling at, and “We Can Be Both” became less of a slogan and more of a mission. Why not like princesses as much as you like rifles? Who says you can’t be an amazing dancer and also a hunter? These girls have proven that girls can do anything—most of all, give us hope for the future.
On the following pages, meet six of our very own inspiration Austin Sure Shots.
BY NIKI JONES
SURESHOTSMAG.COM |  15
faith collier
shooter, dancer, youtube star
Current age: 12 | Age started shooting: 9 | Age started dance: 3 Faith’s gun: Ruger Mark III 22/45 Target Competes in: Steel Challenge, Falling Steel
Sponsors/Affiliations: VZ Grips, Federal Premium, Tandemkross, BSG Security, Red’s Indoor Range, Sure Shots Magazine, Austin Sure Shots Faith currently focuses on steel matches and steel challenges, often earning the rank of High Lady. A fierce competitor, she has won many awards for dance; she participates in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, hip-hop and musical theater. Faith and her sister Jenna have close to 3,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel (CollierGunGirls) and the sisters are also official spokespeople for firearms company Tandemkross. 16 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
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Photos courtesy of Anthony Collier.
jenna collier
shooter, dancer, Youtube star
Current age: 10 | Age started shooting: 7 | Age started dance: 2 Jenna’s gun: Ruger Mark III 22/45 Target Competes in: Steel Challenge, Falling Steel
Sponsors/Affiliations: VZ Grips, Federal Premium, Tandemkross, BSG Security, Red’s Indoor Range, Sure Shots Magazine, Austin Sure Shots Jenna has been quickly catching up to her older sister, Faith, when it comes to steel matches. Laid back and hilariously funny, Jenna also competes in dance competitions: jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, hip-hop and musical theater. When she’s not starring in Tandemkross install and upgrade videos, she’s the other half of the YouTube comedy duo CollierGunGirls. 18 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
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Photos courtesy of Anthony Collier.
addyson soltau
shooter, karate kid
Current age: 9 | Age started shooting: 7 | Age started karate: 6 Addy’s guns: Ruger SR22, S&W M&P 15-22, S&W M&P 9mm, Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett Competes in: Steel Challenge, Falling Steel, Pistol Caliber Carbine, 2-Gun, Multi-Gun Sponsors/Affiliations: Austin Sure Shots, JM4 Tactical, EAR Custom Hearing Protection by Shoot With Sharon, Snake Eater Tactical, Seal 1 CLP, On Your 6 Designs, Lone Star Handgun Shooting Range Addyson (aka Alpha Addy) is currently a 2nd Degree Purple Belt in Karate. She has won numerous awards including 2-17 Student of the Year award (the highest award for juniors in karate which can only be earned once). Her current fight record is 8 wins and 4 losses. Addy also excels in school; she has received the Academic Excellence Award for maintaining an A average. 20 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
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Photos courtesy of Johnny Campos.
meg watkins
shooter, actor, soccer phenom
Current age: 9 | Age started shooting: 6 | Age started soccer: 4 Competes in: Steel Challenge Guns: .22 Tactical Solutions & Volquartsen Custom Mark III, .22 Savage Arms rifle Sponsors/Partnerships: Austin Sure Shots, Reds Indoor Range Meg has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old. Her team placed second last season, and so far this season they’re undefeated. Meg plays an array of positions, but plays Defender most of the time. She also participates in community theater, and is always positive, upbeat, and totally fun, no matter what she’s doing. 22 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
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Photos courtesy of Heather Watkins.
vanessa aguilar
shooter, dancer, cheerleader
Current age: 11 | Age started shooting: 5 | Age started cheerleading: 7 Competes in: Steel Challenge, Falling Steel, Carbine, USPSA, IDPA, 2-Gun
Sponsors/Partnerships: Austin Sure Shots, Alamo Tactical, SSP Eyewear, Voodoo Tactical, Froglube, Tactical Solutions, UM Tactical, Molon Labe Firearms LLC, Warrior’s Edge Armory, Kenzie’s Optics, Girls with Guns Clothing, Girls with Guns TV, Decibullz Custom Headphones, On Your 6 Designs, Blackhawk Shooting Range, Red’s Indoor Range, Laser Ammo, KWA Performance Industries, Inc. Vanessa has won many awards for cheerleading and dance—in fact, there hasn’t been one year where she hasn’t placed in regional cheer and dance competitions. Vanessa wants to be in law enforcement as a K-9 handler when she grows up, and often bakes and delivers cookies to the local police department substations. 24 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
Photo by Oleg Volk.
Guns: M&P 15-22, M&P .22, Walther P22, Glock 43, Molon Labe, Inc. AR-15, Tactual Solutions Paclite 22/45, Alamo Tactical Ruger Mark III
SURESHOTSMAG.COM |  25
Photo courtesy of Leia Edmonds.
ashlynne thomas
shooter, artist, poet
Current age: 11 | Age started shooting: 10 Types of competitions: 3-Gun, USPSA, Steel Challenge Ashlynne’s guns: Stoeger m3000, AR-15, CZ Shadow 2 9mm, Canik TP9SFX 9mm, Glock 17 Sponsors/Partnerships: Orr Tactical, Ping Time Targets, Briley, Evolved Ballistics (Proof Research), CMC Triggers, Vortex Optics, Austin Sure Shots, 2A Armament, Seal 1, Sgt Mac Gun Shack, Red’s Indoor Range Ashlynne is never afraid to jump right in to even the most difficult matches, and already has some major ones under her belt. She has had her poetry published, and was listed in NRA’s Blog as an up-andcoming competitor to watch. 26 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
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Photos courtesy of Jennifer Thomas
“The memories I am able to make with my dad now will stay with me forever, as will the skills he teaches me.”
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DANCER&HUNTER An interest in hunting takes this 14-year-old dancer on many great adventures. BY EMILY PILLA
I
have a S&W .22 semi-auto rifle, a Ruger .22 pistol and a Glock 19. I started going into the deer woods with my dad when I was three. I really liked scouting and would follow a set of tracks and imagine what the deer was doing along the way. My dad said that I was so low to the ground and I could see things that many grownups could not. I remember feeling like I was helping him find deer. I want to participate in all shooting sports, and in sixth grade I was on the school NASP archery team. I made first team, and we finished seventh in the State of Texas and went on to compete in the Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky with 13,000 other students from all over the U.S. My schedule does not allow me to be on the archery team this year, but I hope in the future I will have the time to shoot the bow more. I enjoy hunting most of all and I was able to shoot a large hog on my 11th birthday. I also took an alligator in Louisiana when I was 12—that was an awesome trip that I will never forget. We went to the camp of my dad’s friend, Mr. Jady Regard, and he cooked us alligator, beignets and many other delicious Cajun dishes. This year we are going to South Texas to hunt deer, and to Louisiana for my first duck hunt. When I turn 16 we are going to Scotland to hunt red stag and maybe some grouse. I can’t wait, I’ve been to Scotland once before and it is so beautiful. The memories I am able to make with my dad now will stay with me forever, as will the skills he teaches me. He likes to say, “You can hunt with your kids or hunt for them.” When I am older and have my own children, they will shoot and hunt with me, and if they are boys, they will play football, too.
Photos courtesy of Mike Pilla.
remember the first time I saw Sure Shots Magazine. I wouldn’t say I was surprised to see how many women were into guns and shooting, but I was really excited to know there was a large community of girls of all ages like me, too. I’m 14 now, in eighth grade, and live in Austin, Texas. I got my first gun when I was 7 years old. It was a pink Cricket .22 rifle and I could not wait to go to the range. Being around guns and hunting from the time I was 3 has taught me many important life lessons, like respect, responsibility, education, ethics, safety and enjoying yourself, just to name a few. I am on my school dance team and will try out for basketball this year. One of my other favorite things to do is going to the High School Football games (go Vipers!) and also the 8th grade boys’ games. My favorite gun now is my 12 Ga. Beretta A400. I like shooting clays, and my Beretta has a feature that reduces the kick so I can shoot all day if I want. I’m getting ready for my first duck hunt this winter. My dad goes every year, and I love seeing the pictures and videos. I also
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#BELIKEKATE Our cover girl Kate Metz is anything but ordinary. PHOTOS BY DUSTIN MEYER #BeLikeKate. This hashtag was born one hot July day at the fifth annual Sure Shots Youth Training day, when recentlyturned-4-years-old Kate Metz arrived. Kate was “kitted out” with quality gear: holsters and mag pouches on a sturdy shooting belt, eye and ear protection, and an energetic can-do attitude. Throughout the day, Kate was upbeat, engaged, and most importantly, safe. Hence, a hashtag—one that can and should apply to shooters of all ages—was created. While it isn’t typical to have a barely-4-year-old actually shooting with us at Sure Shots events, we knew Kate had been introduced to firearms and gun safety by her dad, Mike, then a member of the Austin Police Department Marksmanship Team and friend of the Sure Shots. Also, Kate is no ordinary kid. Here, her dad Mike explains some more about Kate and what he hopes to accomplish in regard to her future. —Niki Jones “Kate is young lady who, at her current age of 5, has often heard the phrase, ‘That kid is going places.’ Strangers are not used to seeing a smiling 3’8” girl walk up to them alone, introduce herself, start telling jokes, or strike up a conversation. Her surprising verbal abilities come from her thirst for reading. Kate has learned to overcome many social fears and can get on stage to do karaoke performances, and makes friends easily because she has become sharp and charismatic. “Kate’s mom and I have been deliberate in raising Kate to help her reach her potential. Her mother made story time before bed an important part of each day. From the time she could talk, she was hoisted upon sales counters of various stores to work on her self-intro with idle staff. Our family was able to avoid daycare until Kate could receive full-time parenting and homeschooling on the family homestead. This gave us the flexibility to teach at Kate’s pace and appeal to her learning style and interests (one of which is learning songs in Vietnamese). It astounds people to learn Kate is in second grade. “People are usually surprised to learn that Kate trains martial arts. She started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 3. While this was initially my idea more than Kate’s, she soon came to enjoy her training as the highlight of her week. This training helped her gain the confidence to confront and conquer a much larger boy when he punched her without provocation at a park. Kate likes to be friends with everyone, but she is no pushover. One day, years of technique and conditioning may help her overcome a real-life threat. “To play her trump card of surprises, Kate will crack a big smile and explain that she likes to shoot guns. To which she often hears the bewildered reply, ‘You mean, like, real guns?’ Before the age of four, Kate took an interest in multigun competition videos I watched at home. Her mom and I have a firearms safety policy where any time Kate or her younger brother were curious
#
30 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
about guns or knives, they could ask and be shown. As soon as Kate was old enough to verbally express interest in guns and shooting, she made it known she wanted to shoot. So her mom and I agreed to take her shooting when she could understand and recite the four rules of firearms safety. Just after her fourth birthday, Kate recorded a firearms safety video that reached an audience of over 50,000 views on Facebook. She met her end of the deal, so it was time to put her first rounds downrange. “Kate attended the Austin Sure Shots Junior Clinic in 2016 to shoot for the first time. She braved the summer sun to shoot her new .22LR rifle with other young ladies ages six to 13. At the end of the event, Kate volunteered to shoot a suppressed precision AR-15 rifle from a prone position and was able to score multiple hits on a steel target. She was very excited to earn an ice cream cone for her enthusiasm! Kate enjoyed shooting with the other girls and she looked forward to this year’s Sure Shots Junior Clinic, where she started shooting her .22LR pistol (this time at age five). She helped to teach and demonstrate safe shooting to a friend (also five years old) who later attended the Sure Shots Junior Clinic with her so they could enjoy some well-earned ice cream together. Kate has a growing list of friends who would like to learn to shoot with her. “What does the future hold for Kate? For personal enrichment, her travels to Europe and the Caribbean will expand to Southeast Asia later this year. In the near future, we are eyeing local Steel Challenge matches. As Kate grows older, she will have the opportunity to train Filipino Martial Arts for edged weapons. Her educational trajectory may provide an opportunity to earn a college degree at a young age without incurring the crippling debt of a traditional four-year degree. We expect her foundation will bring her to big ideas and big things. One thing is for sure: that kid is going places.” —Mike Metz
Kate started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 3.
KATE’S GEAR Pistol: Gemtech Oasis .22LR Integrally suppressed Ruger Mark II 22/45 frame 90-degree low optic mount C-More 6 MOA red dot optic 25 ounces, weight with optic Gear: 5.11 Double Duty belt, 1.5” width, custom-cut Blade-Tech kydex holster High Speed Gear double pistol taco mag pouch Benchmade Griptilian trainer Cat Resources Combat Action Tourniquet
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KATE’S GEAR Rifle: Volquartsen 10/22 .22LR Custon-coated by Black Sheep Arms Ultralight carbon fiber threaded barrel TG2000 2LB factory trigger group C-More 6 MOA red dot optic Blackhawk! Axiom adjustable stock, 10” LOP 3/4” cheek riser 4.0 pounds, weight with optic
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Keeping Safe
BY SARAH HERNANDEZ
with Kiddos
I am a Sure Shot mom of three children ages 5 and younger, and my youngest isn’t walking yet. As the wife of an engineer who works long hours, I am the primary caretaker of my kids for most hours of the day. There was a time when it would have seemed impossible to maintain a defensive mindset and have the presence of mind to deal with the needs of four people all the time. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to consider taking my three kids to the store by myself. I have learned that if I feel like that’s something I can’t manage today, I respect myself and make the choice to stay home. On the days I choose to go, a defensive mindset really helps me focus on our safety in a healthy and constructive way. Here are a few of my tips to help parents keep their families safe. 1. KEEP A LOOKOUT Notice and acknowledge people within a reasonable radius when walking in public places. Hold your head high, make eye contact, and make it clear you’re aware of your surroundings. As I buckle my littles into their car seats, I pop my head out of the car every few seconds to look around and use the windows as reflective surfaces to check behind me. That way, if someone unknown approaches, I can stop, turn around, assess their intention… and step out of the way if they’re trying to get into their vehicle next to mine. 2. MAKE AWARENESS A GAME I often direct my kids’ attention to things around us: a bird, a certain kind of rock, a man on a street corner, etc. You’d be shocked at the things they notice! I do this to encourage observation and kindness, but it also helps their awareness when things don’t “feel right.” We also often play a “how many” game when we walk into stores and restaurants: How many people do you see who work here? Where are they? How many doors do you see? Which is closest to us? How many helpers are here? (“Helpers” are uniformed first responders/military personnel, or other moms with kids.) Games are fun, and a great way to kill some time while you’re waiting for your food.
4. HAVE A PLAN AND A BACKUP PLAN Assess your surroundings, have an exit strategy, and a backup strategy. For example, I never have free hands when walking in a parking lot. Since my two youngest are very young, I carry one on my hip, hold the other’s hand, and my oldest either walks at my side or his brother’s. I don’t love this arrangement, but it’s necessary while my kids are little. I have thought through many scenarios, and tried to mentally prepare by playing the “what if” game, then role playing with my kids: Me: What if you feel someone dangerous is nearby? Kids: We get behind you. We’ve practiced running to get behind me, and my oldest knows he’s responsible for grabbing his brother if he doesn’t move (2-year-olds can be so stubborn, am I right?). I’ve also taught my oldest to get in the car and lock the doors so he can lock everyone in the car and honk the horn if necessary. It can be a little scary to talk to young children about this kind of stuff, so trust your knowledge of your child—and you don’t have to deal with it all at once. It has taken me three years of working on these things to feel relatively confident that my 5-year-old knows what to do, and we will continue to refine these things as he gets older.
TRUST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR CHILD.
3. TRUST YOUR GUT, AND YOUR KID’S GUT, TOO If you have a feeling about someone/place/thing that you just can’t shake, trust your gut and get out or involve someone with authority. While paranoia is destructive, honoring your intuition is empowering! If you are otherwise calm and something triggers your “gut,” you’ve got an opportunity. There have been times I’ve felt like someone was following me in the grocery store, but I just missed seeing them when I turned around. One time I had this feeling, I decided to stroll down the milk aisle (handy glass doors are great reflective surfaces!) and saw someone following us… I don’t know what their intentions were, but I’ve heard too many stories about kidnappings and theft to mess around. I turned around with a smile and addressed them, and they fled. There have been several times that my oldest ( age 5) has told me something doesn’t feel right, or someone near us “feels dangerous” and I listen. He is exposed to many people as we do relief work in our city (from biker gang members to homeless to businesspeople of every color, shape, and size), and his wisdom and ability to read people astounds me. 38 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
MORE RESOURCES Triggersafe This accessory minimizes access to a firearm’s trigger, for an extra element of safety. Currently available for AR15s, with shotgun versions coming soon. For $10, why not take the extra step? triggersafe.us
Safety On: An Introduction to the World of Firearms for Children by Yehuda Remer This well-written, smartly-designed, easy-toread book is a great introduction to firearm safety eduation for children. This should be in every kid’s reading collection, whether they have guns in the home or not. amazon.com
5. KEEP YOUR TOOLS HANDY Figure out what works for you. I always look for a seat where I have the greatest available vantage point to watch activity and make a quick exit (handy for danger and tantrums!). If you choose to carry a sidearm, think about your choice of holster and the accessibility allowed by your clothes as well as the probable location of your kids were you to have to draw your weapon. Do you have a small child that is often on your hip? Train to fire while holding something on your hip. I like to have a high-powered flashlight, a pocket knife, and pepper spray. (And, there’s nothing like whipping out my pocket knife to cut an apple at the park and hearing the other moms gasp in terror!) I keep my pepper spray on a lanyard with my keys, and wear it around my neck. It is by far the most accessible tool I have, and I practice operating it with one hand.
Sarah with Caleb, Josué, and baby Mikaela
Most parents would agree that they are willing to do just about anything to keep their family safe. Thankfully, in most situations a bit of extra awareness and planning will be all that is needed in order to be prepared for a safe outing with kids. I believe that involving kids in the defensive mindset encourages good citizenship and strengthens individual and responsibility as part of a family unit. I hope these few tips are helpful and inspiring as you come up with safety plans that work for your family. Oh, and one more thing...
STAY OFF YOUR PHONE. SURESHOTSMAG.COM | 39
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WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY
GENRAL MANAGER, TANDEMKROSS
JEN RAMSAY
We knew TANDEMKROSS was the go-to-place for .22 upgrades my Ruger 22/45 is outfitted with lots of TANDEMKROSS parts—but it wasn’t until they hired our very own Sure Shot junior shooters Faith and Jenna Collier as their official spokespeople that we realized this company really gets it when it comes to the future of shooting sports. –Niki Jones Sure Shots Magazine: Tell us a bit about your company. Jen Ramsay: TANDEMKROSS is the fastest-growing and one of most recognized brands in the rimfire competition market today. Our mission is to deliver performance and excellence to existing firearms that are already good, making them great! We do this through ultra high-quality parts, unparalleled customer service and fantastic prices. SSM: Have you always been involved in the shooting/ tactical/firearms community? JR: Actually, I have not! I went to college for Early Childhood Education, and I have been a preschool teacher as well as a Director of a child care center. I have a keen interest in working with young children and this is one reason I enjoy having our Junior Shooters in our [TK] sponsored shooting team. Children and young adults have such a passion for learning and I love seeing them soak up information. SSM: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. JR: I was born and raised outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and moved to the United States almost 20 years ago. My husband Bryan is one of the founding partners of TANDEMKROSS and we have two boys ages 8 and 6. While my background is in Early Childhood Education, I have brought many of those lessons with me to my current job: Be kind. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be positive. Lift those around you up; don’t put them down.
Photo courtesy of Jen Ramsay. Photo courtesy of Brownells.
SSM: What’s a typical day at Tandemkross like for you? A typical day with my General Manager hat on includes checking with the Operations Team: this includes customer service, shipping and product packing. [TK] also has a Dealer Program that I oversee as well, so the other part of my day is spent generating new leads and helping existing dealers to get their orders placed and out the door. SSM: Have there been any lessons your work life has taught you? JR: Be a Producer: Producers work hard and get the job done. Be an Innovator: Innovators think outside the box and think of new ways to do things. TANDEMKROSS would not be where were are today unless each one of our employees has these two characteristics.
SSM: If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? JR: At the risk of sounding silly -- in many ways my husband Bryan already is my mentor. He has such a natural way with words. He is kind, supportive and encouraging and always knows the right things to say. As the Business Development Director, he is all about building relationships and rapport and that’s what I am learning from him as well. It’s such an important skill to have in the business world. He also has a sales background, so he has been teaching me how to grow into my new sales position. I love coming to work every day with him! SSM: What is your primary weapon and why? My favorite gun to shoot at the range has to be the SW22 Victory. When we first saw it at SHOT Show in 2016, we knew that the gun would be hot in the Rimfire market and got cracking at making parts for it as fast as we could. We are now the industry leader in aftermarket parts for that gun. When the SW22 Victory is #tandemized, it runs so smoothly and feels great in your hands. It’s balanced and fast! SSM: What is the best shooting advice you’ve been given that might be important to share with our readers? JR: I have received so much advice! I don’t get to the range nearly as often as I would like, so all advice is welcomed. Focusing on my front sight has helped me greatly and to take my time and be accurate. Speed will come in time. SSM: This year Tandemkross hired Austin Sure Shots junior shooters Faith and Jenna Collier as your company’s official Tandemkross spokespeople. We were thrilled and thought it was a great choice. What made y’all decide to have a 9- and 11-year-old demonstrate how to upgrade guns to your customers on YouTube? We have always had instructional videos for each of our products and were in need of a “new face” for videos. We found the Collier Gun Girls on YouTube and fell in love with them right away. They are well spoken, full of spirit and have a passion for the industry. Customer response to the girls has been very positive! After all, if a 9- and 11year old can install a trigger, you can too! SSM: And the final question… If you could be any character in a movie, who would it be, and why? Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction. It’s an all-time favorite movie of mine and come on, who wouldn’t want to share a milkshake with John Travolta and then tear up the dance floor with him? SURESHOTSMAG.COM | 41
BULLETPROOF BACKPACKS BY NICOLE MADDOCKS We can never be too safe when it comes to our children, and with all of the recent tragedies Americans have faced, sending them off to school with some extra protection can give us at least a little peace of mind. Bulletproof backpacks are an option. First, there are two types of bullet-resistant protection: integrated and insert. Integrated bags have a bulletproof shield sewn into them, while Inserts have a separate panels you slip inside your regular backpack. There are certainly advantages to both types: Inserts can be removed and switched out as bags get replaces, and integrated backpacks require no thought to ensure the shield is in the bag. Next, there are different levels of protection, ranging from NIJ I to NIJ IV. NIJ, which stands for the National Institute of Justice, has been setting body-armor standards for decades. They test the ballistic performance of armor, which requires that the item is not perforated by a bullet and that it protects against blunt trauma. Here are basic descriptions of the levels: NIJ Level I: This is the lowest level of protection. These may be bulkier and heavier materials, as their construction is based on older technology. Go with this level if you have no other options. NIJ Level II-A: This is the minimum level of protection that most professionals would recommend. Armor of this level will be constructed with Kevlar, which is thin and light, so it is a good option for smaller kids. It will protect against 9mm and .40 S&W FMJ bullets and most shotgun shells, up to a 12ga 00 buckshot.* NIJ Level II: This level provides protection against blunt trauma and is relatively thin and inexpensive. Level II is a great choice for most consumers, as it can defend against most handgun rounds up to .357 magnum.
* 12ga 00 buckshot is not an NIJ Certification Round, but independent studies have shown IIA is effective for protection against that ammunition. 42 | SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 22
NIJ Level III-A: The highest level protection rating of soft body armor. It provides the highest blunt trauma protection, thus it is the best choice for very high-risk situations, and will cover many unusual threats. It will protect against nearly all handgun rounds, including .44 magnum semi-jacketed hollow point. NIJ Levels III and IV: These levels protect against highpower rifle projectiles, with Level IV protecting against .30-06 caliber armor piercing ammunition. They are not as readily available as levels II and IIIA. There are a few ways you can protect yourself with a bulletproof backpack. One is by simply wearing it on your back, protecting your spine and vital organs. Another way is to use it as a shield in front of you by either wearing the pack on your front or by crouching down and hiding behind it. Here are a few of our top choices.
TuffyPacks – NIJ IIIA panels in different sizes to accommodate your existing backpack. Prices range from $119 to $139. tuffypacks.com
Guard Dog Security ProShield II NIJ IIIA, $197.99 guarddog-security.com
Guard Dog Security - ProShield Smart NIJ IIIA, $249.99 guarddog-security.com
Man-PACK Bulletproof Backpack Insert NIJ IIIA, $139.99 man-pack.com
Photos courtesy of their respective companies.
BulletBlocker Small Panel Insert NIJ IIIA, $99.00 bulletblocker.com
Amendment II Sentinel CNT NIJ II, $399.00 amendment2.com
Guard Dog Security ProShield Prym 1 NIJ IIIA, $209.99 guarddog-security.com
BulletBlocker Voyager NIJ IIIA, $225.00 bulletblocker.com SURESHOTSMAG.COM |  43
DIY EAR PRO CUSTOMIZATION Customizing anything is always fun, and often for junior shooters it helps keep track of items—especially when dealing with shooting sports and all the stuff that goes in a range bag. Here’s an easy way to make a set of run-ofthe-mill ear protection your (or your kid’s) very own. —Niki Jones HOW TO DO IT IN THREE EASY STEPS
1. Clean the surface of the set with rubbing alcohol. Allow to dry.
2. Find a cool or colorful vinyl sticker and cut out any of the elements you want on your ear pro.
3. Stick it on! And, DONE.
Photos by Niki Jones.
THE FINISHED PRODUCT
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