“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

The Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights of the United State Constitution is an extremely controversial subject these days (yes, the First Amendment is up there, free speech and all, but the Second is the one that has people “up in arms,” you might say). For some unknown reason, the Second Amendment is the only Right from the Bill of Rights that requires government approval. From my understanding of the Constitution, we are gifted the unalienable rights from Day One, so there is no need for government interference. Here is the first part of my story behind my support of the Second Amendment.

I have not always been so pro-2A, but I have been a supporter. When I was a child, there were no guns in our home; we never went hunting or had any contact with them. As an adult, I stayed with a cousin who is a police officer, and she ensured I knew where the firearms were in the home, and how to access them. I had instructions from her on when it was acceptable for me to take and use one, not that I ever had to. Shortly after that, I went to the range and shot a gun for the first time.

The state we currently live in requires all firearm owners to have a Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID). I did not get my FOID immediately; I took about 2 years to get it. In hindsight, I wish I had not waited. However, when the Supreme Court decided on the McDonald v. Chicago case, and concealed carry was allowed in Illinois, I decided it was time to get that FOID. I did not get the FOID and run out and purchase a firearm, however. Nor did I go get my conceal carry license. I took my time, happy to have the FOID, and started looking into firearms, safety, and shooting. I am a reader, and did a lot of reading into the Illinois laws surrounding firearms. Illinois is quite strict, even moreso now in 2019 than several years ago.

I eventually purchased my first firearm, but still did not go to the range. I had it, but I was not confident in shooting. My solution? More reading. I thought that if I could read up on proper firearm usage and safe handling, that I would be confident and ready to go to the range. Boy was I wrong. When I finally went to shoot, we were at a friend’s farm, and I was shooting a .22 for the first time; in a tournament. I did quite well for never having handled the firearm before, and I was excited. I could not wait for the next time I went to the range. I joined The Well Armed Woman, and went to my first introductory meeting. There was a wide array of women in attendance, and I enjoyed the fact that there was an educational portion before range time. What I was not expecting was the requirement to meet with the RSO before I could be allowed to shoot. For the next month, I became obessive with dry-firing my gun. I wanted to be sure I was holding it correctly, that I could load and unload the magazine myself, everything I could find online about dry-fire practice I did.

I came back the following month; obsessively ensuring my firearm was packed correctly, that I had ammunition, that I was transporting it in my pick-up truck legally; it was a bit much. We had the hour-long education session, and then it was range time. As I walked to the range with my bag in hand, my stomach was twisting in knots. My mind raced (What were the 4 rules of gun safety? What am I supposed to do inside the range?) as I put on my eyes and ears. I walked up to my stall and put the bag on the counter and just stepped back, observing the other women. They were all confidently, and quickly, pulling their pistols out of the bags, some loading their magazines, some had brought them pre-loaded, laying their pistols and magazines on the mats on the counters, and then stepping back to chat with the others while we waited for the RSO to come in. I slowly pulled out my gun, hands slightly shaking as I loaded the two magazines I brought, and I left them on the counter. The two RSOs came in, checked to ensure everyone had their eyes and ears and their firearms were cleared, and said “Range is hot!” Immediately, everyone else popped their magazines in their guns and started shooting. One of the RSOs then came over, sensing my apprehension, and told me that I didn’t have to worry, she would walk me through everything slowly. First things first, load the firearm and place it down; that was easy. Then pick it up, fire a shot at the target, unload, and put it down. I did it, and, while shaking, pulled the trigger. I hit the target, down low and to the right, but a hit is a hit. I then unloaded the firearm, locked the slide back, and placed everything on the counter. The RSO gave me a pat on the back and said I did a great job, and could go ahead and shoot. I could not believe that was all I had to do. “I can do this!” I told myself, and put that magazine back in the gun and started shooting.

Now, that first time shooting with TWAW, I did not have a perfect, tight grouping, but every shot hit the paper target. I went every month, and even joined a second chapter that was local, to give me additional chances to shoot, learn, and meet other women. I am definitely more confident now with firearms, but there is still a bit of hesitation, so I am looking into taking some classes to help me get past that.

Part II coming soon…