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I have always been the kind to support diversity of gun ownership as well as CHL. Not only from the point of "Power in Numbers" but I believe deep in my heart that our rights as Americans belong to every person who chooses to follow this nations laws and especially to those who take the awesome responsibility to carry a firearm. From LEO to military to CCW holders and every "race". I have always supported women but Friday evening at Academy in Abilene I had my faith in female firearm ownership bolstered.

I was standing at the gun counter thinking how disappointed I was the store was out of affordable ammo....again and checking out the selection of handguns I think my mother, aunt and/or wife might be interested in getting for themselves. We live some 70 miles away from any shop with a decent selection so I have taken on the task of keeping my friends and family supplied with ammo and info about available guns while in Abilene. I spotted a Taurus 709 Slim I wanted to look at but a gentleman was ahead of me so I looked thru the case a bit more. About the time I was ready to look at the Taurus I saw what looked to be a mother and daughter looking in the same display case about the time the mother asked the daughter if she wanted to handle a particular pistol. I started to go ahead and ask the clerk to let me look at the "709" but began to think it would be interesting to set back and listen to how the ladies would approach the situation. Most women I have seen in shops are there to buy a gift shotgun or rifle for their husband or son or their spouse is there with them. This was an opportunity, in my mind, to see what they would do in choosing a firearm as well as how the clerk went about his business. It crossed my mind that if I allow them to look they may buy and I might have to stand around longer to see the pistol I wanted but my curiosity got the best of me so I allowed them the space to ask their questions. The mother started by telling of how the two had just come from the range and that the compact pistol she owned was small for the daughters larger hand. The younger lady, maybe 21 but barely, told the clerk how she couldn't get a good grip on the smaller gun and that she wanted to see another pistol the model of escapes me. It was full size but she mentioned with her mothers help that it was to be a home defense gun. So the clerk pulled out the firearm and did the usual check to see if it was clear and handed the gun to the girl. A smile brightened her face as she firmly griped the gun, properly I might add and not in the direction of myself or the two other guys that seem to be as interested in the happenings as I was. Her mother spoke up and commented about how her daughter had a problem with the heaver trigger on the compact she herself owned at witch the clerk retrieved the gun and removed the lock so the girl could pull the trigger and see the difference. As he did so he explained the difference between a DA and a SA pistol and mentioned this pistol had the capability to shoot either way. The women seemed to understand the concept either from past experience or excepting it as conformation of something they had heard before. The girl took the pistol as the clerk encouraged her to point in a certain direction and pull the trigger in double action. Again as the external hammer fell the girls face light up with a smile followed this time with her mother doing the same and asking if she liked this one better. The girl said she did and the mother squarely asked the clerk about a gun she couldn't remember the name of but did knew it was popular and a lot of police agencies used it. The clerk took back possession of the gun the girl was holding, replaced the lock and went straight for the Glock section of the case. He was explaining the safeties of the Glock and the differences between the SA/DA she had held before he had retrieved the tool to remove the lock. The ladies listened intently as he explained the trigger safety and demonstrated it. I could tell the younger of the two ladies wanted to get her hands on the Glock 17. I remembered my own young children looking at a wanted toy at Wal Mart. When the girl took the Glock she seemed a bit more serious about getting past how the gun felt in her hand and commented about how "this one even feels better" which shocked me a bit knowing how Glocks can put some people off because of their width and the backstrap being so big. The girl didn't seem to mind and aimed the gun and pulled the trigger and it seemed without missing a beat exclaimed to her mother that she really liked this one. The one hundred dollar price difference didn't seem to affect the decision much as "Dad was paying for it". The clerk assured them for many reasons the Glock was a more proven gun which I agree. And like a couple of semi-controlled schoolgirls they made their way out of the area still discussing their adventure moments before. As I looked around I realized the other men there seemed as pleased with what we had witnessed as I was. Maybe it was just my imagination or I was putting thoughts into their heads but it seemed they were as pleased as I was that a mother had taken the time and responsibility to not only take her daughter to the range but afterwards take her to look at a gun that will surly bring her years of fun at the range but more importantly may one day save this loved child from falling prey to any of the multiplied evils in which human beings are capable. These women are fearless and seem firmly grounded in the reality we face whether we choose to do something about the fact or not.

For some my experience may seem too common to be posting about but I hope you remember women being interested in firearms in any great numbers is a very recent development. That a mother and daughter would be at the same store as I was and at the same time of day is a very rare event. I am thankful I finally was able to see what I have believed in so long come true. I remember the first time I saw a man of color and the an Asian guy legally buying a gun as well as the first time I experienced my Mexican friends expressing their interest in hunting and shooting. I even remember a time when I saw a wheelchair bound man looking at buying a firearm for his protection. Now I have completed my experience of witnessing the inclusion we have worked so hard and long to bring about. I welcome the numbers to include those who are oriented differently or less able bodied or who have lived in a very different existence than my own. I know we are not done and can't stop working to let people know they have options to defend themselves but this was nice to see. I have been blessed with a moment that will help me and I hope someone else completely understand why the time we spend, phone calls we make, the e-mails and donations we send so are necessary.