Sure Shots Magazine

SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 15 | January 2016

16 FEATURE

RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. SHOOT. Becca Thompson explores the options in an active shooter scenario.

20 FEATURE

training the marines Maggie Mordaunt heads to Camp Pendleton for the experience of a lifetime.

28 FEATURE

GUN MYTHS: DEBUNKED! Becca Thompson debunks 10 popular “facts.”

TRAINING 07

3-Gun on a budget

10

Q+A with jeff gonzales

13 ONE TO WATCH: KYLEiGH HAYWORTH 15

preparing for anything

Feature pictorial by dustin meyer 32 competitive shooter + honorary Sure Shot Diana Hufstedler

LIFESTYLE 40

style me tactical: what’s in my bag?

Photo by Diana Hufstedler.

43 WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY: carrie lightfoot 45

why I shoot

46

pan-roasted quail salad

REVIEWS 48 HARRIS and sons custom hearing protection 51

sig sauer p320

52 SeV Annie Jacket by SCOTTeVest

FROM THE EDITOR

T

here is just something about the ladies of the firearms industry (and there are a LOT of us!) that makes the vast majority seem like old girlfriends from the very second you meet. It was at the Women’s Outdoor & Shooting Industry Dinner at SHOT Show last year when a gorgeous woman came up to me and exclaimed, “You are the Black Swan to my White Swan!”—well, that tiny white swan was competitive shooter Diana Hufstedler (and the context totally made sense at the time, as we were both wearing similar feathered outfits to fit the dinner theme “Birds of a Feather”). From that moment on, Carrin and I knew Diana was one of us—a fun girly-girl who loved her guns, and one who just happened to be taking the shooting world by storm! Of course, we couldn’t wait to put her on our cover.

On a more serious note, after the Paris attacks, our Content Lead and Issue 14 covergirl Becca Thompson wanted to write about what one’s options are if faced with a critical incident. It was a shock that the very same day Becca began her research, it happened again—this time much closer to home, in San Bernardino, CA. Her research began with a long phone conversation with Massad Ayoob, who was more than happy to speak with her about the subject. Becca’s feature story in this issue explores what the options are and stresses how important it is to have a plan.

We are thrilled to have as a new contibutor Emily Valentine, whose Style Me Tactical blog made us fans of her aesthetic since the moment we first saw it. This issue’s S.M.T. feature “What’s In My Bag?” gives us a glimpse into the day in the life of a tactical fashionista.

As this issue launches, we’re headed to SHOT Show for the third year, and this time our posse has doubled from two to four! Becca and Jenna have no idea what they’re in for, but we know it’s going to be epically fun, like it always is. We’re beyond excited to see the latest and greatest in the world of firearms and report back, but even more, we are looking forward to seeing all the amazing ladies who really make things happen!

Diana, Carrin and me tearing it up on the town in Austin this past December.

Style Me Tactical’s Emily Valentine brings it, both on the range and on the street.

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White Swan/Black Swan— the night it all happened!

SHOT Show 2015

Center photo by Carrie Zylka.

Shoot straight!

-Niki

Founder and editor-in-chief

Niki Jones associate editor and webmaster

Carrin Welch Copy Editor

Jenna Johnson Content Lead

Becca Spinks Advertising Sales

Holly Gaylor Cass Mascorro contributors

Massad Ayoob Jonti Boles Michelle Cerino Charles Chivattoni Cheyenne Dalton Terry Dalton Mike D. Jeff Gonzales Diana Hufstedler Carrie Lightfoot Jim Lodson Maggie Mordaunt Ken Ortega Emily Valentine Jessica Wright Carrie Zylka

Sure Shots Magazine is a free publication.

For submission requirements, email sureshotsmagazine@gmail.com All content Š2016 Sure Shots Magazine.

No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission.

Visit us online at sureshotsmagazine.com.

Competing in 3-gun is fun, challenging and expensive.

In my family, with three of us involved in the sport, the bills really add up. For those planning on getting involved in competing, there are ways to budget your money wisely, and save a penny here and there.

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Gear Having all the gear to shoot 3 gun sure makes competing a lot easier but not completely necessary. There are many ways to get gear at a discount if you do the research.

Many 3-gunners update their gear frequently or win items off the prize table they can’t use and are willing to sell. It never hurts to ask the prize recipient at the match. However, if you are willing to do some shopping, you can search brianenos.com or AR-15.com forum classifieds. Also, there are groups on Facebook where you can write your wanted ad or see what others are selling. Check 3-Gun gear yard sales, or just ask around.

When buying guns, don’t feel you have to go all out to start. It’s great if you can but you’d be amazed at what you can find used to meet the need. If buying new guns, do research and make sound purchases.

Shop around and ask friends who have already purchased.

Travel Flights, hotels and meals can make the cost of a match sky rocket. If you are flying, travel light. At least one checked bag is going to contain your guns and the other will be your clothing and gear. Make sure to have room in your carry-on to put items from luggage that goes over the weight limit. When possible, we fly Southwest. Not only are they very gunfriendly, but our first two checked bags are free.

Hotel prices vary greatly. Always look for discounts; NRA Member Benefits, AAA, Military, etc. There are also many bed and breakfast and places like Airbnb where you can rent a room or even a house. If you’re able, get another competitor to room with and also share a car rental.

Eating every meal out may be convenient, but the cost and food choices are not always in our best interest. Factor in costs of a hotel that includes a breakfast. A little extra may be worth the meals. Quite often you’ll need to leave for the match before it’s served, the staff will usually pack a breakfast for you if asked. Hit a local grocery and pack healthy foods to snack on during the day to eliminate lunch costs.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Cerino.

Match Fees Volunteer to work at a match and you not only get your match fee covered but you will learn a ton. Sometimes hotel and meals are even included. There are numerous positions to volunteer for; range officer, sponsorship coordinator, social media marketing, writing press releases, photographer, or working registration and prize table. Sometimes all you need to do is ask.

There are a few more tips to include that are usually only realized once you start competing.

4 Buy ammunition in bulk and when it’s on sale.

4 Don’t go to war with long range targets. Chances are the penalty for the miss is less than the time it will take you to fire that One More Shot! You’re not just burning up the clock but ammunition too.

4 Save brass when you can to sell or reload.

The best resources are the people currently competing. Ask, ask, ask! You never know who needs a roommate, when people are carpooling and what others may be willing to sell. Go for it!

Michelle Cerino is the Owner/President of Cerino Consulting & Training Group.

She regularly competes in both 3-Gun and Action Pistol. Michelle brings a woman’s perspective to training. She is the managing editor for Women’s Outdoor News, and has a monthly column “She Shoots 2”. Michelle also freelances for Harris, the NRA and other outdoor and firearms publications. sureshotsmagazine.com | 9

Niki Jones: It seems lately like all we hear about are terrible crimes committed against innocent people—and not just in big cities. Is the world less safe than it was ten or twenty years ago? If so, why do you think that is?

Jeff Gonzales heads up the staff of diverse trainers and instructors for Trident Concepts, his reality-based company specializing in personal protection tactics and training for armed and unarmed conflicts.

Jeff was a decorated and respected US Navy SEAL and has worked in a variety of environments and capacities through out the globe.

His goal is not simply to train his students, but to better prepare them for the worst-case scenario.

Jeff is the author of the book Combative Fundamentals, An Unconventional Approach and currently writes his Trident Concepts’ “High Ready” Blog.

Jeff Gonzales: I believe the world has become more violent, not necessarily unsafe.

Safety is a matter of perspective; violence is pretty cut and dry. There are a lot of reasons we see violence on the rise; the economy is a big one. The ones we don’t like to talk about are our failed foreign policy and illegal immigration. I see them directly impacting our national security, which will only have a trickle-down effect on personal safety. If ever there was a time to take your personal safety seriously, now is it.

NJ: While situational awareness and defensive mindset is important no matter one’s gender, what are some of the ways personal safety is different for a woman?

JG: I think a big way is in the physical stature of most women. Many are not physically as strong and while training, weapons and mindset are all ways to level the playing field, it will still be somewhat lopsided.

NJ: Do you think a firearm is the best choice for personal protection for those who live in places where it is an option? What about those who do not live where they are allowed to carry—what other choices are available?

JG: I believe it is an excellent option. It is hard to beat it in many cases, and for those who cannot [carry] due to legal reasons, many of the other options might also not be legal. My next best suggestion is a good knife, but if all else fails, one of the best tools would be a powerful handheld light. So many discard this as only being a light, but in the hands of someone who knows how to use it as an impact tool, it is pretty effective.

NJ: What would you say are the three most important things to consider when choosing the best firearm for personal protection?

JG: You need to define your mission first. Why are you choosing to carry a firearm in the first place? Don’t sugarcoat it; be honest with yourself. If you cannot answer this question, then anything I say will be largely ineffective. If you are looking at concealed carry, are we talking on-body or off-body? Women can carry off-body with a purse, but it adds safety concerns that on-body doesn’t have. Then there is caliber—I will say it now and I don’t care if some find it offensive. The minimum defensive caliber is a 9mm. Now, some will be put off by this claim, so I will follow it up with “a gun is better than no gun.” There are no guarantees, but a 9mm in a solid-performing defensive round hedges your bet. Next, you want to talk capacity, and for concealed carry our minimum requirement is 10 rounds. Since most confrontations occur with more than one threat having enough ammunition to avoid a reload or running dry makes for a very important consideration. There are other minor considerations such as the feel and aesthetics, but when you get right down to it, these are the major considerations.

NJ: I’ve heard you cover this topic in your classes, so I’ll ask it for the readers: Which is better: software or hardware?

That’s a trick question, they are symbiotic. In other words, you can have a solid mindset as you are looking down the barrel of a gun unarmed. On the flip side, if you have the hardware, but lack the software, you potentially create greater risk. With that being said, it starts with software and you develop your hardware.

NJ: How can one prepare for conflict/combat?

JG: The best thing you can do is acknowledge evil exists. This seems to be a big hangup for many people of both genders. Once you recognize evil exists, [determine] what is the best way to confront evil. From there it takes discipline; there is no easy way to sharpen the blade of a knife. It takes discipline, it takes knowledge, it takes sweat and sometimes blood. This process is important because it prepares the individual to survive conflict by progressing. It is a process and there are no shortcuts; hard work make for hard women.

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NJ: How does fear play into personal protection?

I think many people will have difficulty with this question, but as I said before you may have to take a life to protect a life. Would you give your own life to save your child’s, and if you would, why would you not be willing to take another life from someone who was trying take theirs? There is no fairness in this game, there is no negotiation; there is survival of the fittest. Or survival of those who are willing to take a stand and fight. Believe me, the bad guys know when you are serious, and they fear an armed citizen protecting that which they love, versus a uniformed officer.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Gonzales.

Fear is a good thing; it has kept us alive as a species for all these years. What has happened is we have tried to hide it or ignore it or turn to other people to manage it. You will have to confront your fear—what scares you. Your child growing up without you because you never made the choice to take a stand and be prepared? Or is it something more primal, like taking another life. You may have to take a life to protect life, so consider that.

NJ: How can one come to terms with the possibility of killing another person?

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ONE TO WATCH

KYLEIGH HAYWORTH

AUSTIN

TEXAS

Age: 14 Grade: 8th Age started shooting: 8 Competes in: IDPA, USPSA, 3-Gun, Steel Challenge, Falling Steel Competition guns: Beretta 1301 Competition 12 gauge semiautomatic shotgun; Springfield XDM Competition 9mm pistol; Archer Mfg AM-15F custom rifle chambered in .223 Favorite gun and why: “I love my Beretta shotgun, not only because it’s super fun to shoot, but I feel in charge every time I pull the trigger.”

Future goals for shooting: “I want to compete with the best shooters in the sport at the national level.”

Future non-shooting goals: To graduate from Texas A&M as a Doctor of Veterinary medicine

Photo by Snippets of life Photography.

Other hobbies: Hunting Sponsors: Sure Shots; Sure Shots Magazine; Axelson Tactical; High Speed Gear Inc.; Hard Corps Tactical; Archer Mfg; Estrada Tactical; Team Never Quit Website: KyleighShoots.com

sureshotsmagazine.com | 13

PREP!

By jessica wright You are possibly (or probably) reading this, thinking, What a waste and horrible time that must have been.

But you know what? Never once did I hear any of the ladies complain, gripe or be irritable to one another.

We all laughed, dancing in the rain and playing in the mud like a bunch of children, and it was great! Had I not taken the time to properly prepare and pack for myself, I surely would have been miserable and cold. So, the moral of this story is to always make the best of any situation and always be prepared!

Thank you to my sponsors: Trop Gun Shop, Vigilance Tactical, WildEar Hearing Boosters, Legendary Arms Works, Dissident Arms, Nordic Components, Weapon Shield, CMC Triggers, Lantac USA, Notchgear and ESS Eye Safety Solutions. Without their constant support in the shooting industry none of this would be possible.

Facebook: facebook.com/ powerhousemouse Twitter: @powerhousemouse Instagram: powerhousemouse YouTube: youtube.com/c/ JessicaWrightpowerhousemouse Blog: powerhousemouse.wordpress.com

Photo courtesy of Jessica Wright.

them dry, and lots and lots of “Always be prepared.” We hear it all the time, my Weapon Shield oil pens and but do we practice what we preach? Well, if you’re cleaning supplies. We then loaded stubborn like me, and someone tells you to be the car and made the drive up to prepared, you rebel. However, for the 2015 Brownell’s South Carolina.

Lady 3-Gun match in Clinton, South Carolina The day of the match the rain I was determined to be prepared. wasn’t too bad. It came in spurts I checked the weather over and over and watched and was pretty cold, so I was Hurricane Joaquin change patterns and directions for praising myself for bringing my well over a week before the match. Then we got the heavier jacket, rubber notice that the match was still on—the boots and underweather channel showed that the heart “Never once did thermals. Then the mud of Joaquin would be away from us. Yes! I hear any of the really began to get deep, But, there were still a high probability ladies complain.” and rain water backed up for lots of rain. So I began to pack. into the dump barrels.

I packed Frogg Toggs, my LaCrosse rubber hunting boots, lots of layers (because One stage we had to climb into the forecast also showed cold weather as well), a van, and I made sure to make trash bags to cover and/or bag our guns to keep a mental note during the stage walk-through to grab an “oh crap” handle to ensure I didn’t eat mud climbing in. A few stages were thrown out because the conditions of those stages became unsafe— the match directors, coordinators and range officers had our safety in mind over everything else.

That night it continued to rain and made the range completely flooded to the point where no one could get in or out, so the rest of the match was called off and the banquet was going to commence once the water receded.

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IN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION, HAVING a plan in place may mean the difference between life and death.

By becca thompson

16 | sure shots mag | issue 15

magine you are at a work sponsored holiday party with your coworkers. Everyone is calm, relaxed, and having a good time. Suddenly, there is a loud noise. At first you think it is a firecracker, or perhaps a prank. Then you turn and see a colleague, one whom you may think you know very well. He has a strange expression on his face, and he is holding a gun. People begin falling to the ground. Your co-workers and friends begin to run for exits. Some of them won’t make it out alive. A similar scenario became a terrifying reality for county health department employees gathered at a convention center in San Bernardino, California, this December.

Such events, although still infrequent, seem to be happening more and more often. Mounting fears caused by recent acts of terrorism abroad have resulted in a heavy weight looming over the American people, one which many see as an unavoidable eventuality. Still, others carry on without giving the issue much thought. After all, mass shootings are rare. But what if, despite the odds, you were to find yourself in such a situation? The innocent people falling all around you may be your friends, coworkers, even your family. Are you prepared for a critical incident involving a mass shooter?

In 2012, the Department of Homeland Security funded the production of “Run, Hide, Fight,” a short video which depicts an active shooter scenario and the various types of responses available to the potential victims.

The Run, Hide, Fight concept seems simple: Run if possible; if you can’t run, hide; as a last resort, use any weapons at your disposal to fight the shooter. The video begins with an ominous looking man, dressed in black, entering an office building with a 30.06 sign on the door (a sign which, in Texas, prohibits a CHL holder from carrying a concealed firearm on the property).

Several office workers are shown using each of the three options. A group of workers flees the building, warning a nearby bicyclist not to enter the area, and dial 911. Another woman, unable to escape, barricades herself inside an office area using a printer to block the door. Yet another group, faced with the inevitable entrance of the gunman, decide to fight him off using objects in the breakroom such as chairs and a fire extinguisher. This video was intentionally set in a gun-free zone, and as a result, the possibility of deploying a legally owned and carried firearm was not examined. But what if, in any given situation, there is a legal gun carrier present?

This raises the possibility of a 4th option—one that may only be practical to a person carrying a firearm—to shoot.

In 2013, the FBI published a study examining 160 cases of active shooter situations that occurred between the years of 2000 and 2013. The number of people killed in these incidents totaled 486, and another 557 were

wounded. Of these cases, 70% occurred either in a commercial/business or an educational environment, and 60% of the incidents ended before the police arrived. In fact, in the majority of the cases, the incident ended in 5 minutes or less, and many ended in less than two minutes.

In the report, the FBI notes that “Even when law enforcement was present or able to respond within minutes, civilians often had to make life or death decisions, and therefore, should be engaged in training and discussions on decisions they may face.” Massad Ayoob, world-renowned firearms and self defense instructor and author of the book, “In the Gravest Extremes,” which is considered by many to be the most authoritative text on the topic of the use of lethal force, is no stranger to this reality. “I always compare the defensive firearm to a fire extinguisher, and if you can extinguish the threat while it’s still confined to the stove instead of waiting 10 minutes for the fire department to get there, you’re probably not going to lose the whole house.” In an increasingly dangerous world, it seems that for many of us, holding the fire extinguisher may be the best option.

In Killeen, Texas, in 1991, in an incident which is now famously dubbed “The Luby’s Massacre,” Suzanna Gratia-Hupp learned a grave lesson that fueled her all the way to the Texas House of Representatives. On that fateful day, a deranged shooter ran his truck through the window of the Luby’s where she was eating lunch with her mother and father, killing them both along with 21 others. Because the law at the time prevented her from legally carrying her .38 revolver into the restaurant, Gratia-Hupp had left it in the car, a decision that haunted her and led to her relentless advocacy which resulted in the passage of the Texas concealed carry laws we know today. Gratia-Hupp maintains that she could have taken out the gunman had she been carrying her firearm.

At the Clackamas Town Center shooting in Oregon in 2012, the potential outcome was not so black and white. Nick Melli, an off-duty security officer carrying a .40 caliber handgun, was able to draw his firearm and aim it at the shooter. In the chaos of the scene, Melli was not confident he could fire a shot without hitting bystanders behind the shooter. Luckily, the sheer threat of a licensed gun owner caused the gunman to flee into a nearby hallway and commit suicide.

In such a crowded area, a life or death decision such as this one is likely to be required on the fly. What if this story had ended differently?

Suppose that instead of fleeing, the gunman had taken aim at Melli. In the ensuing gunfight, an innocent bystander may likely have been hit.

This remains a heated point of debate against the ability of a good guy to effectively neutralize a gunman in a crowded public area. The rebuttal to this argument, according to Ayoob, sureshotsmag.com | 17

lies in the so-called ‘totality of the circumstances.’ “The general rule is that if the shot was fired competently and in good faith, it should be treated as if it had struck its intended target,” says Ayoob. “In the end, the greater good has been served. How many innocent bystanders would have been killed if those shots had not been fired?”

Another common argument against attempting to neutralize the shooter with a firearm is that in the confusion and chaos of the scene, the good guy may be mistaken for a bad guy and, as a result, engaged by police or other well-meaning citizens. According to Ayoob, there is no documented case of this ever occurring during a mass shooting.

“The trick is to remember the totality of the circumstances. You’re going to realize you may not be the only good guy with a gun. The other thing to bear in mind is: I would recommend to not draw the gun until you have a confirmed target, and once you’ve dropped that target, immediately get the gun holstered. Because every cop in the city is going to be headed that way looking for a person with a gun there now, and you are a person with a gun there now.” Certainly, the potential physical, mental, and legal repercussions of such a heroic act are often unknown to the lawabiding citizen who has landed in the middle of a critical incident. As Ayoob affirms, “Someone says, ‘You might miss and hit a bystander. You might be mistaken and shot.’ Well, if you don’t draw the gun when you have a chance to take this guy out, you are going to get shot; other people definitely are going to get shot. And in the very simple balance of what’s obviously going to happen versus what might happen, what’s obviously going to happen is what has to be dealt with first.”

On the topic of legal repercussions, many recent active shooter situations have occurred in designated “gunfree zones,” raising the argument that there likely won’t be a legal gun carrier in the crowd. A 2014 case in which a psychiatric clinic in Pennsylvania was targeted by a gunman provides an example of one

such incident. One of the doctors, wounded in the shooting, was able to draw his pistol and shoot the gunman. Although it was against company policy for the doctor to carry a gun on the property, the authorities decided it was not in the interest of justice to prosecute him. In this case, the greater good had been served by him having a firearm. This outcome, however, seems to lie in a gray area. State laws vary as to whether or not carrying a firearm in a gun-free zone is legally prosecutable. In Texas, 30.06 signs are found in many somewhat unavoidable places, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, and government buildings. On such a property, the possession of a licensed handgun

60% of the incidents ended before the police arrived.* is prosecutable regardless of the circumstances. “You are going to say, ‘I was the law-abiding citizen who was the hero, and they’re going to say, ‘well, if you’re the law-abiding citizen, how come you are carrying a gun where you knew it was illegal?’ and ‘You’re actually a citizen who only obeys what laws you want to obey, which essentially makes you a criminal.’ It’s kind of hard to win that argument,” says Ayoob.

As many are quick to point out, mass shootings, such as the examples outlined above, are rare. These types of arguments tend to peg licensed gun carriers as ‘paranoid,’ and point to statistics that show the much greater likelihood of harm done to innocent people as the result of improper use and handling of a firearm. In their opinion, potential victims are much more likely to benefit from running or hiding than by carrying a gun to avert such an attack. However, studies have shown that many such incidents have been resolved by

fighting, whether by an armed or unarmed bystander. In 21 out of the 160 incidents considered in the 2013 FBI study, the threat was neutralized by unarmed citizens who were able to successfully fend off or restrain the shooter until law enforcement arrived. In addition, Massad Ayoob has famously analyzed 10 welldocumented cases of an armed citizen stopping a mass shooter. And these statistics may not even paint the whole picture. Consider a recent case in Austin, Texas, with which several of us are personally familiar: Ronald Palmer was a victim of workplace violence by a disgruntled worker. After being shot, Palmer was able to deploy his firearm and return fire to the gunman, hitting him in the abdomen. Even after the gunman was shot, he attempted to get up and injure other bystanders with a knife. The bystanders were able to hold the attacker down until help arrived. Palmer’s swift action may very well have thwarted a mass shooting, potentially saving the lives of many others in the process.

Many cases of mass shootings have begun with an attack on a family member or personal acquaintance, after which the shooter moved on to other victims unknown to them. With this new perspective in mind, one might wonder how many other mass shootings may have been averted in such a manner.

Critical incidents such as mass shootings are becoming increasingly more common and thus are beginning to receive wider recognition from many people who wish to be prepared for the worst. However, many people are still quick to deny that such a nightmare could ever happen to them. Perhaps it is fear that promotes this denial, or perhaps it is the perceived unlikeliness of being involved in such an event. Fires are rare occurrences as well, but odds are you have a plan in place—at home and at work—for what to do if one happens. Ask yourself, in the rare case that you find yourself face to face with a mass shooter, wouldn’t you prefer to be holding the extinguisher? *2013 FBI study

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“

Someone says, ‘You might miss and hit a bystander. You might be mistaken [for the bad guy] and shot.’ Well, if you don’t draw the gun when you have a chance to take this guy out, you are going to get shot; other people definitely are going to get shot.

And in the very simple balance of what’s obviously going to happen versus what might happen, what’s obviously going to

”

happen is what has to be dealt with first.

—Massad Ayoob Expert-Backed Tips for Surviving a Critical Incident Prepare in advance:

If you do choose to fight first:

4 Have a plan. Know in advance what you would do in the case of an active shooter. Practice thinking through your plan in places you go every day, such as work, the gym, or the store. Having a plan in place gives you the jump on taking immediate and decisive action once a critical situation unfolds.

4 Identify the target.

You may not be the only good guy (or girl) with a gun.

Make sure the person you are targeting is the actual threat.

4 K now your exits. Identify potential points of egress every time you walk into an unfamiliar location. Avoid placing your back to main entrances or positioning yourself such that a swift exit is difficult.

4 Draw and deploy.

Once you’ve identified the threat, engage. Do not stop engaging until the threat has been neutralized or you have found yourself in an unacceptably-compromised situation.

4B e aware. Maintaining situational awareness means observing your environment, limiting distractions such as cell phone usage, and being on the lookout for suspicious persons or hostile situations as they arise. Condition Yellow is the attitude that “today may be the day I have to defend my life.” Stay in Condition Yellow always!

4 Remain calm. Once you have the first three tips down, relax. Avoid being in an emotionally distressed or otherwise distracted state when in public places. If you can remain calm and have adequately prepared yourself, your brain should automatically start working as you’ve trained it to should an incident begin to unfold.

4 Holster your weapon.

Do this immediately after you’re sure the threat is gone.

You don’t want to be the only person holding a gun when help arrives.

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Photo by Joe Fernandez.

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22 | sure shots mag | issue 15

Previous page photo by Charles Chivattoni.

My name is Maggie and I am the Founder/Owner and Lead Instructor for Homeland Personal Protection Firearms Training Company and I’m known in the industry as “CCW Maggie”.

With several years of shooting experience, and after recovering from a severe neck injury, the decision to re-invent myself as a firearms instructor came in 2009.I started by obtaining all of the requirements to become a conceal weapons instructor, which were the NRA Instructor ratings. For the first two years, I conducted the CCW/CFP courses for NV, UT & FL in addition to a few fundamental firearms training classes. With a great response and student following, I taught and invested far more than the requirements needed in order to become a NRA Training Counselor, so in 2014 I obtained that rating.

I have been teaching the NRA courses for students and instructor candidates since then. As a master student graduate, my desire is to help foster new instructors to teach with the same passion and excitement that I do. We now have other instructors working with our company. As I have chosen a firearm for daily protection since 2003, self-defense is not only a way of life, it is a passion of mine to teach it to others. I have had a steady diet of defense training and found there is much more to being a defense instructor than taking an NRA class. “There is a big difference in learning how to shoot a gun than learning “It wasn’t until I awoke in the how to use a gun for self-defense”. I am very proud to offer several quality defense trainbarracks at Camp Pendleton ing courses to support those interested in Marine Corp Base—a full four carrying a gun in public or for in-home defense. I am also currently seeking to days of Marine training ahead be certified from Combat Focus Shooting, which will help evolve our training of me—that the full weight of doctrine to include more life-saving information and skill development. this privilege settled upon me.

I remember teaching my very first Conceal Carry class to one person This is the story of how this back in 2010 and since then I have incredible honor came to me.” trained over 4300 students to carry concealed firearms in public. With lots of hard work, dedication and an unstoppable desire to teach, my company has made huge strides in business development, including some great relationBY Maggie Mordaunt ships with partners such as Rocky Mounphotos by Ken Ortega tain Gun Shows, CCW Safe, Sportsman’s + Charles Chivattoni Warehouse, I.C.E. Training, ADSI, Bass Pro Shops, The Well Armed Woman, Breakthrough, Stealthgear and others.

It was the first week of the year 2015. Normally, there was an abundance of emails and calls requesting training, but that week was particularly quiet. I thought the silence was a sure sign of a slow year. Suddenly, I was proven otherwise as an email hit the inbox from Marine Gunner, Anthony Viggiani, stationed at the Marine Corp Base, Camp Pendleton. It was a request to bring our training to the Marines. At first, I thought it was another prank or a junk message, but as I read further, the message was quite personal and sincere. Along with my husband, Ken, we graciously accepted and so the communication coordination began. I was still in disbelief as we coordinated the details of the training courses, dates, times, venue and round count. We communicated with Gunner Viggiani for the next three months and received our commitment to travel. Our training was set for the last week of April, 2015.

Our excitement was at an all-time high as the day approached and on April 26th we departed for the next five days of an exciting journey. After the 6 hour drive, we arrived at the West Gate of Camp Pendleton and were

Photo by Ken Ortega.

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Photos by Ken Ortega.

We walked into the state-of-theart training center and were greeted by about 65 young Marines as they were astutely in their chairs, ready to learn.

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humbled to meet Gunner Viggiani in person. He of our training courses, we kept it very professional was happy to meet us and fought back a smile, bewith lots of high energy then sprinkled with a little cause he is a serious guy and presents himself as humor. Within the first hour, we established great so. I was, of course, grinning from ear to ear to be rapport and the course materials were well received. in the presence of these prestigious Marines and With every passing hour, our relationship grew stronI reached out to give them all mama-bear hugs. ger and, before we knew it, we were at the end of a Our first order of business was to be escorted to the very successful lecture.

Armory to secure the 21 firearms that we hauled to We reached a new level of anticipation as it was the base for the purpose of training. During that time to get on the range. We were escorted out to the task, we couldn’t help but notice the healthy orgarange where it was all hands on deck. We reserved nization of security bands, locks and pelican cases 8,500 rounds of ammunition that was on the pistol arranged by the Gunner, just as promised. range ready to be distributed. Everyone had a job to We were given a quick tour of Edson Range, indo as they divided up the firearms and the ammo. cluding the barracks where we would sleep and the Once the targets were placed, we listened to the townew chow hall where we would eat. As we were taker for the safety briefing, which was an epic moment. ing in the living lifestyle of our next week, it was Then it was “game on”. We rose to the challenge hard to believe that we were on base preparing for as we had two relays of about 30 Marines on each an epic event. line. This range was no ordinary square range. It When we arrived in our room, it was literally the had targets that would blade and face, controlled by bare essentials. I was so thankful we traveled with pneumatic operation from the tower. We were able more than enough gear as we pulled to control the duration of the faced apart the bunk beds to make a king bed targets and when they would rotate. then moved the desk and chest to make Drill after drill, I ran the line first then our stay as comfortable as possible. We it was Ken’s turn. It was a great time We reserved were quite cozy with most of the comteam teaching with my husband. We forts of home. While organizing our were humbled by the presence of Coloquarters, we could hear lots of chanting nel Nash, who showed up on the range in the distance. I stated to Ken “I wonto welcome us and see us at work. He der if that is going to go on all night”. It stayed for about thirty minutes and was10:00 pm and the sound of “Taps” then left after he received a pat down rang loudly through the coast air then for ammo, I was a little confused at the ammunition silence. We then knew we were in a very sight and then was told it was policy. Itdifferent place than what we were used eration after iteration and round after to when teaching civilians. Lights Out. round, the defensive shooting qualiAs the morning hours approached, our alarms fication came to an end. As the sun set, it was all were set, but we woke up well before then due to our hands on deck again, but this time it was picking excitement. At 5 am, we were greeted with the mornup the heavily littered brass left on the ground with ing wake up bugle of “Reveille”. We were up and a final pat down for everyone as we left the range. ready to roll. It was our first experience at the chow The final task before anyone was dismissed by hall for breakfast as we sat at Gunner Viggiani’s table.

Gunner Viggiani was cleaning all of the Beretta The Chow hall served up delicious made-to-order M9’s prior to calling it a night. By the end of the omelets and waffles along with Starbucks coffee. We day, I had developed a high level of motherly adorawere pleasantly surprised. tion for these young Marines. The first day was in Then, the moment we had been preparing for the the books and, even though we were tired from the last three months had arrived. I walked toward the long day, we were also energized by our awesome door with butterflies in my stomach, where I knew experience. As “Taps” once again played, we knew Marines were waiting for us to teach. We walked into it was time to get to sleep. the state-of-the-art training center and were greeted After a great night of sleep, it was day two, which by about 65 young Marines as they were astutely in was less of a training load and seemed to have been their chairs, ready to learn. We began our morning perfectly placed in our schedule to help offset the preadmin then started our flagship product “Combat vious heavy day. Chow hall first then into the classCitizen Workshop” which is a multi-state conceal room once again. Marines were now on the journey carry weapons course with an additional skill deof becoming NRA certified. In planning for this trip, velopment handgun training component. We have this day was going to present a big challenge for the conducted several similar large group courses, but Marines. Because it was an NRA course, they were none with the magnitude of honor and respect of a not to use the word “weapon” to describe any fireroom full of Marines in their camo uniforms. In all arm. Gunner Viggiani and I made it clear that using

8500

Photo by Brian Papke.

rounds of

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Photo by Charles Chivattoni.

the “W” word would result in pushing (meaning 10 push-ups). About 45 Marines this time and all participated in the day’s training events and, once again, a successful end to a great day with lots of pushing.

On the third day, it was time to introduce the different firearm actions. As CRSO’s, we thoroughly went through the NRA RSO course with about 35 Marines. This was a great course to fine tune safety. The automatics and bolt actions were easy, but most had never seen the lever, pump, muzzle loading, falling block rifles or double and single action revolvers. It was great to have the entire class participate with so much enthusiasm. That evening Ken and I had an amazing dinner off base, overlooking the ocean, while we were still buzzing from teaching the Marines. Over dinner, we planned for the final day.

The days went by so fast that before we knew it, it was day four. It was time to have the Marines get up and conduct their teach backs. I was so honored to be the NRA Training Counselor and have these fine Marines team up to teach each other for the completion of my training course. On this day, I also learned much more about Gunner Viggiani, as one of the Marines stated, “He was in awe that the Gunner would be taking this training with him as well”. As I tried to understand, he continued to say “Gunner Viggiani is like the Unicorn you don’t ever see”. Then he said “You are like the Unicorn also Maggie, because we probably won’t ever see another like you”. I have to admit, I was a little choked up.

All was going smooth as the Colonel stopped in to observe the course progress. He pulled me aside as an unbelievable thing happened. Colonel Nash gave me a huge “Thank You” with a gentleman’s handshake and a hand off in the palm of his hand. It was the coveted Colonel Challenge Coin. I had only heard of this between the guys, so my next move was to quickly put whatever he gave me into my pocket. He expressed great gratitude to us and proceeded to give Ken the gentlemen’s handshake with a challenge coin of his own. I was beside myself. This day went down as one of the happiest moments in my training career. We wrapped up the day by securing the firearms in the armory.

At this point, I realized this trip was coming to a close as we had developed a strong personal relationship with many of the fine men and women of the last four days of training. The last evening on base ended as we made a final trip to the BX with some of our new Marine comrades for some special items.

We woke up to the morning bugle. It was time to pack up our room and put things back the way they were. We went to the chow hall for one last breakfast with Gunner Viggiani.

We were sent off with lots of hugs, handshakes and requests to return.

We were requested by the Colonel for a final meeting in his office. With the Lieutenant Colonel and Gunner Viggiani present, all were pleased with the quality of our training ability along with our conduct on base. As the conversation continued, I still remember the words from Colonel Nash, “Where do we go from here?” I always measured the success of this trip not only by having the amazing opportunity to train Marines, but whether or not we would be invited back. Well, there it was. We were graciously asked to return in the future. The Colonel stated, “Marines have a significant amount of training and now, when they leave the Corps, they will have a certification as well”. This was important to him.

Speaking with Gunner Viggiani, we learned a little more about him. He has served three tours and received the Navy Cross during his deployment. It is truly our honor to know this fine Marine. He sent us on our way after our meeting with a big smile and a hug. To this day, we remain friends with his mother and father and are proud to know Anthony Viggiani on a personal level. We are so thankful for all he did to make our trip possible. Semper Fidelis One of my most distinguished accomplishments this year was to work with and train our great Marines at Camp Pendleton’s Edson Range in CA as the first female nonmilitary commissioned civilian Instructor.

It was a life-changing event that we will always remember.

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By becca thompson

How often do you cringe while watching movies or TV when you see something that just isn’t possible? Or how about when you hear “facts” or soundbytes that you know just aren’t true?

Here are our Top 10 gun myths... debunked!

This is like saying cars are dangerous because they may lose power steering and veer you off of a cliff. With all the news stories that claim someone was shot when the gun “went off”, you may assume this to be a daily occurrence. You might even be envisioning an innocent family sitting on the couch with the gun on a table when suddenly it develops a life of its own and shoots the TV! On a very rare occasion, a gun can go off without a trigger consciously being pulled. Such an incident is SO rare that it is really a freak accident, and not a common occurrence like some may believe. Two rare events that can cause a gun to go off are a gun dropped on the ground in just the right way, or a poorly maintained firearm with a broken internal component. But in the vast, vast, vast majority of cases, the person in the news story broke at least one of the cardinal rules of gun safety: keep your booger hook off the bang switch!

True Lies, 1994, Twentieth Century Fox

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In the movies, shooting virtually anything seems to result in sparks, fires, and even explosions. However, as Mythbusters famously proved, it is incredibly difficult to turn a car, propane tank, or any other flammable item into a fiery ball of twisted metal. One reason is that flammable and explosive items are designed specifically to prevent such catastrophes. Gas tanks, in particular, are made durable enough to resist penetration by most standard rounds. Even if penetration could occur, gasoline can’t explode unless sufficiently mixed with air, making a stray bullet induced car explosion impossible. So much for that plan!

Road House, 1989, Silver Pictures

Considering how easily bullets seem to make cars and propane tanks explode in the movies, it’s ironic how impenetrable other objects seem to be. As most of us (hopefully) already know, there is a HUGE difference between cover and concealment. Cover means you are relatively safe from gunfire, whereas concealment simply means you cannot be seen. An example of cover is a wall made of brick or concrete, or even the engine block of a car (for most standard handgun rounds). Simply hiding behind the shelf at the convenience store will only leave you riddled with holes and shards of potato chips, once the bad guy has spotted you, that is!

Heat, 1995, Warner Bros.

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This myth is the reason that the gun world has been shifting its terminology from “silencer” to “suppressor”. Many people believe that putting a silencer onto a gun, be it a miniature Walther pistol or a 12 gauge shotgun, will reduce the sound of the blast to a gentle “pfft” and enable you to breeze through the hallways of any top secret facility unnoticed. The fact of the matter is that a gunshot is LOUD - 150 decibels loud - which is roughly equivalent to the sound of a jet engine. Applying even the highest quality suppressor only reduces this sound by about 40 decibels, to a noise level roughly equivalent to a jackhammer. Because hearing loss can occur at levels as low as 85 dB, it is usually recommended that shooters wear hearing protection even while shooting suppressed guns! In fact, most suppressors can only reduce noise to a No Country For Old Men, 2007, Miramax level similar to that incurred by wearing hearing protection. The reason that the gunshots aren’t truly silenced is based on two factors that contribute to the noise level. The first factor is the pressure caused by gas expansion upon firing; this is the noise that is suppressed using a silencer. The second factor is the noise generated when the bullet exceeds the sound barrier, which unless you are using special subsonic rounds, is typical. So the next time you are planning on infiltrating a top secret missile silo, maybe consider using the knife as your stealth weapon instead.

The act of cocking back the hammer has been ingrained into our heads as a “power move” for as long as hammers have existed. Cocking the gun makes a cool noise that tells the person at the receiving end that you are ready to fire. The only problem is that the gun was already good to go! This myth dates back to the Western days, when revolvers required the shooter to cock the hammer between each shot. Fortunately for us, these types of guns have long since been replaced with more practical versions.

Cocking back the hammer of a modern day firearm only makes the trigger pull lighter, which is nice, but also totally unnecessary. So, when you cock the gun to show someone how serious you are, all you’re really doing is screwing up your grip and sight alignment momentarily, not to mention telling the bad guy that you have no clue what you are doing.

Anyone who has seen Rambo (or virtually any other action movie) has dealt with this annoying gun myth. You know, the one that turns a fully automatic rifle into an infinite, bullet-flinging death machine. It only takes one time shooting a full auto to realize the sad, 3 second truth. The cyclic rate of fire for a standard AK-47 is 600 rounds per minute, meaning it only takes around 3 seconds to dump a 30 round mag. Reload that gun already, Rambo!

Rambo, 1985, Carolco Pictures

Fact: The best gun for you is the one that you will carry. In a gunfight, a small caliber pocket pistol in your possession will always beat the full size one that you left at home. Many small framed women feel most comfortable with a small frame pistol, and thus are more likely to carry them. Proponents of this myth claim that the rounds like the humble .380 don’t have enough stopping power to be effective. In truth, a well placed shot is a well placed shot, regardless of the size of the round. Pistols with smaller calibers like the .380 and 9mm often make it easier to get accurate shots off quickly, making them more effective than the clunky .45 that you can barely control one-handed. The next time a gun salesman tries to sell you this myth, tell him you can see right through his backhanded up-selling strategy.

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(We’ll wait a second for you to stop groaning...) Anyone who says this has made one of two assumptions: 1) We let you get close enough to take our gun, or 2) We hesitated.

Rest assured that making either of these assumptions with a well-trained woman will only get you dead faster!

Despite what you may be led to believe, simply believing in gun ownership does not mean a person is a crazy, g u n -a nd -a m mo -hoa r d i n g lunatic. They don’t walk around in their remote, off the grid cabins wearing tin foil hats, stroking their firearms, and waiting for the zombie apocalypse. In reality, people choose to own guns for many different reasons. Some of them have had close calls, or worse. Others know someone who has had a close call, or worse, and want to reduce their chances of becoming a victim. Many women choose to train with firearms to protect themselves and their families, and still others do it for sport. So for future reference, we greatly prefer to be called “gun enthusiasts”!

You can thank Joe Biden for the propagation of this myth. A double-barreled shotgun is heavy, has a monstrous recoil, and worst of all, only fires two shots! Why not pick a sleek and sexy AR-15 instead? They are lightweight, have low recoil, can hold up to 30 rounds per magazine, and can be decked out with an endless number of fabulous accessories. That’s a home defense gun any girl can get behind, train with, and enjoy. Even if rifles aren’t your thing, just about any gun you can think of is a better choice than a double-barreled shotgun for home defense. We all know that whatever we choose to use for home defense, we have to train with it. And who wants to subject themselves to hours of defense training with a double-barreled shotgun?

Resident Evil: Afterlife, 2010, Constantin Film

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TAKING CARE

BUSINESS

OF

Photos by Dustin Meyer

When it comes to TCB, no one does it quite as stunningly as sponsored competitive shooter Diana Hufstedler. Originally from Bulgaria, Diana now takes care of business for a Fortune 500 company in Dallas, where she lives with her husband, daughter and step-daughter. When she’s not running a company or running a gun, she writes for her blog Sass, Brass and Bullets. Diana’s current sponsors are Taran Tactical Innovations, Safariland Group, 5.11 Tactical, Zero Bullets, Patriot Cases, Weapon Shield, and Whatya-say Hearing Protection.

In the photos are Diana’s own guns: A custom-built CK Arms Open Competition Pistol chambered in 9mm, a custom-built Taran Tactical Innovations Ultimate TR1 AR-15, and a Taran Tactical-customized 12-gauge Benelli competition shotgun.

Also featured are a McMillian TAC 50 A1-R2, with an AAC Cyclops suppressor and Nightforce ATACR 5X25X56 F1 MOAR riflescope, a Barrett XM107A1 with Barrett suppressor and Leupold 4.5X14 Mark 4 riflescope, an LWRC 8-inch PSD with 1.5 Trijicon ACOG, and a Colt M16 with 12.5-inch ARES AMG2 upper, all courtesy of Lucena Group.

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Shot on location at the offices of Lucena Group, an international global risk management firm providing risk mitigation solutions for their corporate customers serving in complex environments throughout the world. They provide end-to-end solutions and services to their clients in areas of actionable intelligence, risk mitigation, crisis management, operational support and innovative security solutions while striving to provide current and sustainable options with a positive return on investment.

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Style Me Tactical

WHAT’S IN MY BAG? Recently a blog had come across our radar—one that combines amazing style with tactical items in gorgeous photo vignettes—so we just had to invite Style Me Tactical ’s author to become one of our regular contributors, and we are thrilled she said yes! Readers, please welcome Emily Valentine, our go-to source for all things tactical and fabu!

While looking for a way to combine her love of fashion with an emerging interest in firearms, Emily created Style Me Tactical, where the goal is to bring style and self-reliance together in one place. This lifestyle blog isn’t just about fashion and firearms—Style Me Tactical covers a wide range of topics from fashion and beauty to survival/prepping and gun ownership.

Emily wanted to create an environment where being prepared and having the ability to defend one’s self is part of a lifestyle that can coexist with a women’s desire to also be fashionable... which has always been Sure Shots Magazine’s goal too, making this collaboration made in heaven!

When heading out for a night on the town, Emily puts aside her day bag for something smaller, a bit more compact, sleek and chic. Her Saint Laurent chain wallet is perfect as it can be worn as a clutch, shoulder bag, or cross-body. Here’s a peek into her bag to see what she can’t leave home without.

Chanel card holder: Holds my two credit cards, ID, and some cash in a nice slim design.

Sephora blotting papers: Unfortunately, after a few hours into the night, my T-zone looks like an oil slick.

So to keep that oil tame, I swear by these Sephora oil blotting papers.

CRKT 3” M16-KZ tactical folding knife: I usually keep this clipped on the waistband of my jeans. However, depending on my outfit choice, it may not be feasible to keep my EDC knife clipped to my waist, so I carry it in my bag. iPhone 6S Kat Von D lipstick: Not only is her lipstick really good, but the studded case is pretty cool.

Kentucky hand tool*: This multi-purpose hand tool has a bottle opener on the top and can also be used similar to brass knuckles. I like to carry this in my hand when I’m walking by myself.

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Band-Aid Blister Block: This is a high-heel gamechanger, trust me. Rub it on some of the areas of your foot you’re most likely to blister and then slip on on your favorite heels. I always carry this with me in case I need to apply more.

Hair tie and clip: Basically the lifesaver of humid nights, post-rain drizzle hair, or when you just can’t stand your hair. We’ve all been there.

Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black perfume roller: I typically don’t carry perfume, but this mini roller of my favorite fragrance is small enough to add a touchup here and there when I want to feel a bit more feminine.

House keys with emergency whistle: I can’t leave home without my keys, and having an emergency whistle attached is perfect just in case I need to get attention or alert others to my location. *A s always, check your local laws to find out the legalities of the tools you choose to carry.

t

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WOMEN in the INDUSTRY

Carrie Lightfoot of The Well Armed Woman

Carrie Lightfoot is quite a force in the firearms industry; she’s got a line of great shooting gear for women, the largest shooting league in the world, AND a brand-new women’s forum... when does this dynamo sleep? —Niki Jones SSM: How long has The Well Armed Woman been in business?

I launched The Well Armed Woman in Feb. of 2012 and The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapters and The Well Armed Woman Instructor Certification programs in Jan. of 2013

SSM: What made you decide to start The Well Armed Woman?

My love of business and my frustrating journey into the world of firearms was the perfect blend to start The Well Armed Woman.

I knew there was a need, and I knew I was not the only woman looking for information, products and support that was respectful and that honored me as a woman. The little that was available frustrated me, and not being afraid of “doing business,” I followed my gut instincts and dove in.

Headshot by Jim Lodson. Shotgun photo courtesy of Carrie Lightfoot.

SSM: Have you always been involved in the shooting/ tactical/firearms community?

No, I came to my life with firearms late in my 40’s. I grew up in the suburbs of New York City and they were just not part of my world. It’s rather funny to me now, but I didn’t even allow toy guns in our house when my children were young. I wasn’t anti-gun; I was just afraid of them in my ignorance. The first toy gun snuck its way into my home in a Nintendo box with the game Duck Hunt!

After being single for a number of years, and as my youngest of four children was preparing to head off to college, for the first time in my life, I felt vulnerable and alone. I had just started a new position with a nonprofit that worked with the homeless and those struggling in poverty which was in a very tough part of town. The combination of these things set me on the path to take responsibility for my personal protection. Although I had friends that took me shooting and introduced me to the safe handling of a firearm, there were no supports or resources that answered the questions I had as a woman or spoke to me respectfully. What I found was both over-sexualized and insulting, or it was condescending and spoke to me like a child. I knew there was a need for resources that spoke respectfully to women—one that could help women to navigate the world of firearms in an intelligent and comprehensive manner. I also found there was a void of holsters and products that fit the needs of women gun owners.

SSM: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I was born and raised in New York but have lived in Arizona for about 35 years. I have 4 grown children, two boys and two girls and now two granddaughters. Life in Arizona is great, but I will always be a die-hard Giants fan!

I have been blessed to have been involved with some amazing projects and experiences over the years. I am a bit of a “can’t sit still” person and find my joy in working and trying to make a difference, so I just keep moving! When the children were young, I led a team that designed the first charter school in the state of Arizona and was its first president. I spent years in the art business and ran fine art galleries. I also started a company that sold recycled glass landscaping aggregates and fire glass and was featured on numerous HGTV and DIY Channel home improvement shows. Life changed for me after Hurricane Katrina. I felt so helpless being so far away from the agony so many were experiencing, so I started an organization with my church to adopt a small town that fell outside of the attention and support that the larger communities were receiving. Its mission was to send construction teams, equipment and dollars to help them recover. These years changed me, and shifted my career path toward serving others. I worked for a non-profit that served the needs of the homeless and those struggling in poverty. We began a social entrepreneurship with the purpose of starting, owning and managing a variety of businesses with the purpose of creating jobs, as I believe a job is the true path out of poverty.

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SSM: What is the best part of your job?

There are a couple of “best parts” of my job: First is the honor of getting to witness the transformation of so many women into their role of selfprotector. I hear the most amazing stories and see the most beautiful smiles each and every day – it is incredibly inspiring! I also love the independence of being my own boss, and being able to run this company to make it exactly what I want it to be is very motivating. I am fiercely independent and love the freedom it brings. I also have to say that I love the Second Amendment community, and being a part of such a passionate community of patriotic Americans is awesome!

SSM: What do our readers have to look forward to in the future from The Well Armed Woman?

I never sit still and am always scanning, seeking and designing new ways to better meet the needs of women shooters. I am not afraid to take on a challenge, so when I see a need and it fits within my vision to educate, equip and empower women, I will do my best to provide it. I have some new products in development that I am really excited about and a groundbreaking online tool that I think will be very helpful.

With the TWAW Shooting Chapter non-profit organization reaching 275 chapters across the country, I think I see 500 in its future. My aim from the very beginning has been to be a comprehensive resource for all women shooters and that will evolve as the American woman shooter evolves.

SSM: Have there been any lessons your work life has taught you?

I have learned many things through the wonderful and unique opportunities I have had. I believe that each challenge and each victory SSM: What is the best shooting advice you have been given work together to prepare us for the next part of our journey. I have that you feel might be important to share with our readers? learned that success and effectiveness come only through sustained Clint Smith, while taking a course at Thunder Ranch, said to me hard work. I work a lot, I mean really a lot, and I love every minute.

“Carrying a gun isn’t supposed to be Many aren’t willing to invest in the comfortable, it’s supposed to be a comfort.” sustained work required and the consistent “I want to ALWAYS know where I share this quote often when I write and commitment to do whatever must to be speak as women struggle to find concealed that gun is, and when I feel it, I am done to reach success. It’s grueling and carry holster options that work for them. reminded of the sober and heavy takes a fierce focus on your goals without To me, this is a very important reminder sacrificing the principles or quality of what responsibility I assume.” that although we want to be able to live our you do for the long haul. I take what I do lives out with our firearms in a comfortable very seriously, but don’t take myself too way, more importantly, these words are a seriously. I am driven to make a difference powerful reminder that we must always and if what I do, at its core, becomes “about know that firearm is on our body and the me,” than I don’t consider that success. enormous responsibility that comes with it.

To be successful, you must not let yourself So I want to ALWAYS know where that gun be distracted by anything or anyone, is, and when I feel it, I am reminded of the especially if that distraction is the reflection sober and heavy responsibility I assume. of yourself!

SSM: If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?

This is an easy question! In the firearms industry I would have to say Sandy Froman, former president of the NRA. Having been a woman who led one of the largest male-driven organizations in the country—well, that says it all. She is straightforward, extremely hard working, and nothing gets in her way. I admire that.

SSM: What is your primary weapon and why?

I really have two. My clothing and my plans for the day will dictate which “partner” I choose. I carry my Sig Sauer P238 Tribal (.380) or my new Glock 43 (9mm). I love the way both of these guns shoot. Both fit my hand with ease, and I can reach all controls on both firearms, one handed. This is an important criterion for me for my concealed carry firearm. Both are incredibly reliable and accurate and just “feel right’ in my hands.

SSM: What are some important lessons you have learned while running The Well Armed Woman? I have learned that nothing happens without amazing people to make it happen with! We have the most remarkable women on our team, as staff, chapter leaders and our certified instructors all across the country – they are the reason lives are changing and The Well Armed Woman has the influence it does.

SSM: Where do you see The Well Armed Woman in 5 years?

Five years in the business world today is a lifetime. Our world and our needs are changing so quickly, but I am sure there are products and programs that will reveal themselves. I am currently focusing on three areas: Introducing women to competitive shooting, working to create a pathway for women to move into deeper defensive and tactical training and working hard to activate women to get involved in a significant way politically to protect our Second Amendment rights. I do see continued growth in all areas for both The Well Armed Woman, the TWAW Shooting Chapter program and the instructor training and hope to see all women shooters actively involved in protecting our Second Amendment rights.

SSM: And for our final question… If you could be any character in a movie to be who would it be & why? Oh gosh.

I really don’t watch many movies, so this is tough! The movies I do watch are with my two granddaughters and of those, my favorites are Shrek and Frozen, both of which they seem want to watch over and over again! Both main characters in these movies, Shrek and Elsa, are strong and have great power, but oh, they are so misunderstood.

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When I was a young girl, my I can to keep from going—luckily, it was way on the other side of father and grandfather took town from where I work and live, so she wasn’t offended by my my sisters and me over to excuses, and eagerly tells me that she plans to open a North chapter the pasture by the barn and that will be right down the road from my home and hopes to see let each of us have a turn me at the first practice. In the meantime, I had been following the at shooting their hunting group on Facebook and I see all of the ladies that are joining the rifles. The rifles were far league and the huge smiles on their faces. I’m slowing starting to too powerful for young think that if all of these ladies can enjoy this, why can’t I? I really girls to shoot, and I wanted to do it. But I still wasn’t sure I could. remember that when it And then it happened. I got the message about the first North was my turn, it sat me Sure Shots practice. It was time to face the music, or the firing right down on my rear squad. I talked one of my coworkers into coming with me—she end. Their ultimate actually really wanted to learn how to shoot. We walked into Red’s goal was to scare us Indoor Range in Pflugerville and were greeted by a large group of into leaving the rifles alone, and it women. Everyone was so incredibly nice, but my nerves were on certainly worked. None of us had any interest in edge. I still wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to shoot, but at least touching those rifles ever again.

I had a buddy with me that was just as nervous. I talked for a bit Fast forward to my adulthood… I was in my with a young woman who was a college professor and mid-20’s when a family friend invited me to go she explained that I should start with a .22 pistol. She I hadn’t shooting with his family. They were heading up to had one already picked out and we could share it on the Red’s Indoor Range and asked if I was interested in range. She made it sound so easy that I just had to try. realized coming along. I had never been to a shooting range No more excuses. No more fear. It was time. We went until that and I was very curious, so I agreed to go. They out on the range and she showed me how to load it, gathered up their firearms and we headed out. After aim and then fire. The .22 had almost no recoil; it was day just how filling out the appropriate paperwork and putting so easy to shoot. I was almost embarrassed to admit much fear on the eye and ear protection, we stepped out on the how scared I had been. And then… I was so incredibly range. I was not at all prepared for the cacophony excited! I had overcome my own fears, and did so with I had of of sounds that hit me square in the face—so many the help of some amazing women. firearms. loud booms and bangs, I couldn’t stop flinching at I was every single sound. They each took turns shooting absolutely the variety of handguns they’d brought, and then they offered me hooked—beyond hooked. a turn. And I couldn’t move. I just stood there, frozen, staring at After that night at the them. There was no way I was going to be able to shoot. I was range, I rarely ever missed far too scared. They tried to convince me, told me it was going to another practice. I took be okay, but it wasn’t going to happen. No way, no how. So they every training course that shrugged it off, finished up and we left the range. Luckily, they I could. I was a sponge didn’t give me any grief for not shooting that day. Believe me; I gave for any knowledge I could myself enough grief. gain about firearms. I I hadn’t realized until that day just how much fear I had of talked with the employees firearms. Whether it was the fear of the actual firearms or the fear at the range, I read gun of the unknown, I wasn’t exactly sure. But either way, I wasn’t okay magazines, watched TV with it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to admit that fear to anyone shows about the shooting else, nor did I have a way to overcome it at that time. sports, anything I could A few years later, my husband and I attended a backyard BBQ at get my hands or eyes his friend’s house. While I was there, I met this beautiful, tall blonde on. And that excitement who told me she was thinking about putting together a women’shasn’t wavered. I’m only shooting league and asked if I would be interested. I tried to still just as in love with sound excited and agreed that it would be a cool thing to do, but shooting as I was at the inside, my brain was screaming “NO!!!” The more I talked with her, end of that first practice the more I realized that she was absolutely serious. She talked about night. I went on to get her background and experience with shooting and she definitely my certification as an sounded knowledgeable on the topic. But I still thought it wasn’t instructor so that I going to come to fruition—and even if it did, I wasn’t even sure I’d can pass on that same ever even see her again. I wasn’t on the hook yet! knowledge, excitement Months later, I got a message from her. The league, Sure Shots, and confidence to other women. When I was underway at Red’s Indoor Range in Oak Hill and she wanted to see the huge smiles on their faces as they step off the range, invite me to join the ladies at practice. I came up with every excuse I’m reminded of that first night too. And this is why I shoot.

“

Photo courtesy of Austin Sure Shots.

”

sureshotsmagazine.com | 45

Pan Roasted

Salad The popular game bird flies high in this fresh salad with a twist.

by Jenna Johnson SALAD Ingredients: (Serves 6)

Directions:

6 whole quails

Place a whole-peeled shallot into the cavity of each quail.

Season liberally with salt and pepper.

6 medium sized shallots, peeled 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 6-8 cups of arugula or mixed field greens Freshly shaved parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

On the stovetop, heat the olive oil in a large iron skillet (or any other large, heavy-bottomed, oven-proof skillet). Place the quail in the pan with the breast side down and cook until the skin is golden-brown in color, about 3 minutes. Turn the quail and cook an additional 3 minutes on the other side. Place the skillet in the oven and roast for approximately 10 more minutes.

Pull the skillet from the oven and move the quail to a plate to rest for 5 minutes. Remove the shallots from the cavity before serving.

To serve: Place quail on a bed of arugula or mixed field greens, top with the Creamy Parmesan dressing (recipe below) and freshly shaved Parmesan. A light drizzle of your favorite balsamic reduction is a perfect topper as well (I prefer Alessi or Colavita Balsamic Glaze).

dressing Ingredients:

Directions:

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Whisk together Parmesan, oil, vinegar, garlic and mustard.

Season with salt and freshly-ground pepper.

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste 46 |  sure shots mag |  issue 15

sureshotsmagazine.com |  47

Photos courtesy of Terry Dalton.

48 | sure shots mag | issue 15 13

HARRIS and sons custom hearing protection Have you ever worn your ear muffs and eye protection all day and had permanent indentations in the side of your head? I did, and it drove me nuts. Then I discovered Harris and Sons hearing protection. Protecting my hearing is very important for me because I love shooting, but I also love playing bluegrass music with my band, That Dalton Gang. Since both music and shooting is so important to me, I needed the best hearing protection that the shooting world has to offer. I believe Harris and Sons is the best.

My SpeedMaster inserts are the FF-12 model. First off, these are the coolest and most comfortable inserts I have ever worn. I wore them for two whole days during a 3-gun match and there was no discomfort or aching. Each pair is made specifically for your ear. You go to an audiologist where you have your ears tested and molds made. Then you send off the molds and test results to Harris and Sons so they can make them fit everything about your ear perfectly. You can even choose custom colors: purple zebra print—how awesome!

These are very tiny but amazing pieces of technology in your ear, the inserts can have different memories for the different

types of competitive shooting—for me, rimfire and 3-gun, but I’ve used them for hunting too, which is another story for another day. They also have Bluetooth available (however, due to current parental restrictions mine don’t have that... yet).

They amplify the good noises but keep the bad ones more quiet, you can also control the volume for each insert. For example, when I am shooting, I can hear people talking and the projectile hitting steel targets, but not the loud rapport from the firearms; Harris and Sons call this their Aural Shield.

Since they are inserts, keeping them clean is pretty important, they have a special wax filter (HF3 Wax Filter System) to keep ear wax from building up in them.

Overall, I have tried many different types of hearing protection, but for me, these are the best hearing protection devices on the market.

Harris and Sons FF-12 model is $1,895 and available at harrisandsons.com - Cheyenne Dalton

sureshotsmagazine.com | 49

sig sauer p320

Grip photo courtesy of Carrin Welch. P320 photo courtesy of Sig Sauer.

The P320 is Sig’s first striker-fired double-action-only pistol. With its modular design, it is likely the most versatile handgun on the market. There are other guns that offer “modular” options with grip plates, adjustable backstraps, or through conversion kits, but the P320 is truly modular! Everything from the caliber to the trigger can be swapped out, and easily.

One of the coolest features of this gun is the interchangeable frames and different grip sizes. This feature takes the well-known quality of Sig and transforms it into a whole new realm of user adjustable variations. After your initial investment in the P320, you can purchase an additional frame for about $50, to allow shooters with different-sized hands or grip requirements to handle it comfortably. Additional grips are available in small, medium, and large. Alternately, if you have a full-size model, you can spend the same amount and get carry-size frame, giving you a smaller version for easier carry. It is available in 9mm, .357sig, and .40 S&W in full, carry, compact, and subcompact sizes. It is also available in .45ACP in full and carry sizes. There are caliber conversion kits available for around $400. The variations aren’t limitless, but they are impressively flexible.

I have the P320 Carry in 9mm with a medium grip. Fully loaded, it feels hefty for having a polymer body. It’s possibly a little too hefty for everyday carry for me, but not out of the question.

The P320 has some of the look and feel of a traditional Sig, but overall it feels more modern. In true Sig fashion, the bore axis is high, as this is a necessity due to how the trigger is designed.

While there are shooters who say that this significantly affects their overall experience in shooting, I have never felt this has any effect on my ability to shoot.

I like the stock trigger and night sights, but I know many shooters who are very picky about those things, especially triggers.

There are two stock trigger options: standard and a tabbed version that works like a Glock trigger. I don’t know how readily available this option is and I don’t know anyone who has tried it yet. With the modular trigger group and all of the interchangeability between frames and calibers, this seems like a great gun for trigger-picky people; as the trigger group can stay the same once it’s been dialed in and easily transfer to a another frame.

It’s not 100% love fest, though; I have had a couple of minor issues with this gun: The three point takedown system typically makes it very easy to take down and re-assemble. However, initially my takedown lever would only turn about halfway, which meant I couldn’t take the gun apart. I clean all of my own guns and I like to be able to disassemble and reassemble them with ease. I took it to my local range/gun store and one of the guys there was able to get it to turn.

There are a few videos online showing the trick, so this must be a common problem with the P320.

I am right-handed and shoot with thumbs forward, resting along the side of the gun. The slide catch lever is right where my left thumb usually rests, which presents a problem. I definitely feel the slide catch lever when I am shooting, and after about 30 rounds, it starts to irritate my thumb. It does not affect my ability to shoot, but it’s annoying. As I understand it, this is a known problem and Sig has come up with a replacement part that has a lower profile and many shooters are finding that this fixes the issue. I definitely intend to try it out.

The Sig P320 is innovative, ergonomic and truly flexible.

The Sig P320’s MSRP ranges from $628-$713. For more information, visit sigsauer.com.

- Carrin Welch

subcompact

compact

carry

full

sureshotsmagazine.com | 51

52 | sure shots mag | issue 15

SeV Annie Jacket by SCOTTeVest size in the right hand pocket using the water bottle holder and a back up gun in the front panel pockets.

The same size pockets are available on both sides for ambidextrous carrying. I carry extra magazines on the opposite side to balance the weight of a gun and find I can also conceal a defensive flashlight, notepad, pencils, business cards and more.

Not all of the jackets provide a dedicated carry pocket, but all the vests or jackets have similar designs and can easily accommodate a small carry gun without printing.

If you carry on your person in a belt holster, several of the jackets have zipper access at the side seams to quickly access your waist and belt area. This was a good theory, but a little hard to reach quickly while sitting down. Even with practice, opting for appendix or front jacket pockets seemed a more reliable carry.

I straddle the tech and firearms industries and there are pockets for multiple electronic devices, power backup and routing power cables through the jacket. All pretty nifty. The inside cell phone pocket lets you quickly glance at the screen and smart fabric lets you use a touch screen without removing the phone.

Great for staying focused on your surroundings. Pockets without zippers have nice features like magnetic closures or Velcro to keep things in place. There is even a RFID protected pocket for credit cards on most garments. The soft shell material is water repellent, but washable.

All the pockets can make the jacket (or vest) quite heavy, but if you keep the weight fairly distributed, it is comfortable for a full day of traveling. Sizes run true, but customer service is very helpful and they even suggest ordering two sizes and sending one back if you’re unsure. I have a lightweight vest for summer months and I pretty much live in the Annie or Trench coat in cooler weather. For expeditions or that extreme trip to the grocery store, leave your purse at home and walk confidently with your hands near your pockets. But, don’t let your friends know or you will become the group carryall!

The Annie jacket is $200 and is available at scottevest.com - Jonti Bolles

Diagram courtesy of SCOTTeVEST.

Concealed carry clothing is still a growing industry and few options exist for men, much less women. The popular “tacticool” look often takes the concealed notion off the table. Nothing screams carrying like a pair of aviator glasses and a heavy jacket with a thick midsection made for men. I have recently been wearing jackets and vests from ScotteVest for everyday carry, traveling and just about any excuse I can manage. They offer a great line of jackets, a trench coat and a few vests with specific features for carrying a personal defense gun. While you won’t find them on runway models, the jackets and vests are great for work or play.

The premise in all of the clothing is pockets. Big pockets, little pockets and pockets inside of pockets. I can easily carry a purse (or backpack) full of items without looking overstuffed and unflattering. The lay flat design works and hides full pockets extremely well. “Really, I am happy to see you, but that is truly a water bottle in my pocket.”One problem is much like switching purses: if you don’t create a system, you end up looking all over for something like hand sanitizer. In a few cases, I ended up taking my jacket off to search every pocket like digging through a purse for lost keys. While no one system is without drawbacks, these jackets and vests provide a very flexible option for concealed carry.

The flagship jacket for women is the Annie, a lady’s version of the Thor jacket. Originally designed in partnership with author Brad Thor, it has quite the spy and gadget feel to it. It even has hidden pockets in the sleeve cuffs for a dagger. Each jacket comes with its own pocket map and user guide. A jacket with its own map, folks!

Jackets and vests with a specific concealed carry weapon (CCW) pocket rely on a hidden zipper running along each side of the main front zipper. This rapid access panel is on the exterior of the jacket meaning you can quickly reach in the pocket with the jacket zipped closed. The zipper pulls lay flat, but is large enough to grab with a pair of driving gloves on. The interior of the CCW pocket provides strips of soft loop fabric, like the inside of a camera bag, making it easy to attach soft holsters or magazine carriers. If the firearm is too heavy, such as a full size 9mm like a Beretta 92, the interior pocket will tend to sag. But there are plenty of other options on the jacket to make up for it. One option is to carry full

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