Conceal Carry / Home Defense... Is Your Spouse Ready Too?

mjoy64 · Post by **mjoy64** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:41 pm

My wife and I both applied for our CHL about a month and a half ago. We took the all day Saturday course and mailed in our info. We're both still waiting at this point. She did fine in the shooting portion of the class, but still does not shoot *that* much. I've been thinking about ways (other than getting her to the range... which I do encourage) to get her training/mindset to a place where if she had to defend herself (w/o me) I would feel she was as prepared as anyone could be for a bad situation.

Some backgroud... I started shooting local IDPA matches about 4 months ago. I enjoyed it so much I've been trying to get my wife to give it a go. Today she did.

She was not particularly good, fast, competitive, etc. but.... she had a great time. The SO's were very accomodating and helpful in making her feel safe and offering her suggestions/instruction. In one day she soaked in things like... what an FTN is, how to clear a malfunction, tactical sequence vs tactical priority, shooting from cover, slicing the pie, shooting on the move, shooting one handed (and actually on the move as well) , etc.

I know IDPA is a game and is not real life but... I feel that my wife is going to be better prepared to deal with a situation if one arises. Sadly she was the only female shooter participating in the event. I would love to see more females out there and would encourage the husbands/fathers of wives/daughers that are inclined to shoot to get them out there.

After the match my wife and I went out and ate a little Mexican food for lunch and had a great discussion on the days events. She was glad that I had encouraged her to get out and give IDPA a try. In fact she came home and joined IDPA (on their web site).

My biggest problem now is she's eyeing my S&W M&P 9 because she can drop the magazine from it easier than her Glock 19.

Again... I know a game is not real life, but I am convinced she is better prepared (and will get even better) than prior to her first IDPA match.

+1 for IDPA and the people that make it go.

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:02 pm

My wife has her CHL & carries. She shoots to stay proficient but has never reminded me that I haven't taken her to the range lately.

My Mom has hers too. She had her 77th birthday Wed. Part of her present is the Forum day at PSC.
You know you are a Redneck when you give your mother a holster for her Bday & a trip to the range. She is my shooting buddy. She will tell me pretty regular that, "we need to go shoot you know."
Her renewal target was posted in the "Shoot Like A Girl" thread.
246 at her renewal.

seamusTX · Post by **seamusTX** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:07 pm

I'm happy for both of you.

- Jim

Venus Pax · Post by **Venus Pax** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:03 pm

Your location isn't listed under your name.
In the Houston area, there are women that shoot IDPA.
CompVest is at nearly all the matches at Thunder in Conroe, and she goes to PSC a lot too. (SHe's also an instructor & SO.)
Several ladies shoot IDPA at PSC in Friendswood.

I shoot as often as I can.

mjoy64 · Post by **mjoy64** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:14 pm

Venus Pax wrote:Your location isn't listed under your name.
In the Houston area, there are women that shoot IDPA.
CompVest is at nearly all the matches at Thunder in Conroe, and she goes to PSC a lot too. (SHe's also an instructor & SO.)
Several ladies shoot IDPA at PSC in Friendswood.

I shoot as often as I can.

Venus...

I've updated my profile to include my location.

I live in a smaller town (Temple). I have no doubt that there are many capable female shooters here in Texas and elsewhere. I hope my words didn't convey otherwise. My only thought there is that it could be better and that husbands/fathers could make a difference by encouraging their wives/daughters to participate as well.

I am newish to shooting, but as soon as I did it the first time it was like I was home. My eyes were opened to an expanded way of thinking. The only thing that slows me down is my ability to read, practice, and my pocket book.

After discovering something like the RKBA so late-ish in life, my hope is to evangelize to my family first... and then look outward. I hope to leave this life as one who has expanded the pool of thought. I know that it sounds grandiose but... I've come to believe it's important. Important enough to make sure my wife and daughters understand.

I believe (maybe inaccurately) that participation in firmarms related activities seems to tend towards a "boys club" type of participation. I just wanted to express my joy in sharing a new found freedom/activity with my spouse. For me it was fun and it now amounts to something that we can do together (if we choose). My daughters to follow.

elwood blooz · Post by **elwood blooz** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:18 pm

My wife is ready for sure. Although she has yet to take her exam (due to major surgery in Dec) she is ready to get back to the range. She will be going to the Forum Day event with me. I guess I need to mention she is ex-Military so shooting is in her blood!

BadCo45ACP · Post by **BadCo45ACP** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:30 pm

The wife & I have both been into shooting for almost 25 years. We'd go to the range and I'd shoot my .45 or 9mm and she'd shoot her Ruger .22. I tried often to get her to step up to a larger cal. but she enjoyed the .22 and didn't care to go any bigger. After 9/11 I told her I was thinking about getting my CHL and asked if she'd be interested in getting her's as well. She decided she would so I got out my 9mm and began familiarizing her with it. After her first practice session w/ the 9 I knew I'd lost it to her for good. We practiced w/ her using the 9 for several weeks prior to the class. She passed the class w/ flying colors. Since then she has purchased 2 additional 9s herself and she keeps one by her bedside always. She works in a bank but policy does not allow her to carry on the job or even in the parking lot, so she doesn't carry as often as I'd like.

govnor · Post by **govnor** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:29 am

I think about this a lot. My wife isn't as hardcore around the house as I am. I'm probably a bit too paranoid, while she is not enough for my taste. She knows how to shoot almost everything laying around the house though. Including the shotguns. That reminds me...I need to take her to the range tomorrow...

flintknapper · Post by **flintknapper** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:40 am

mjoy64 wrote:
Venus Pax wrote:Your location isn't listed under your name.
In the Houston area, there are women that shoot IDPA.
CompVest is at nearly all the matches at Thunder in Conroe, and she goes to PSC a lot too. (SHe's also an instructor & SO.)
Several ladies shoot IDPA at PSC in Friendswood.

I shoot as often as I can.
Venus...

I've updated my profile to include my location.

I live in a smaller town (Temple). I have no doubt that there are many capable female shooters here in Texas and elsewhere. I hope my words didn't convey otherwise. My only thought there is that it could be better and that husbands/fathers could make a difference by encouraging their wives/daughters to participate as well.

I am newish to shooting, but as soon as I did it the first time it was like I was home. My eyes were opened to an expanded way of thinking. The only thing that slows me down is my ability to read, practice, and my pocket book.

After discovering something like the RKBA so late-ish in life, my hope is to evangelize to my family first... and then look outward. I hope to leave this life as one who has expanded the pool of thought. I know that it sounds grandiose but... I've come to believe it's important. Important enough to make sure my wife and daughters understand.

I believe (maybe inaccurately) that participation in firmarms related activities seems to tend towards a "boys club" type of participation. I just wanted to express my joy in sharing a new found freedom/activity with my spouse. For me it was fun and it now amounts to something that we can do together (if we choose). My daughters to follow.

An excellent post Sir!

Welcome to the forum.

CompVest · Post by **CompVest** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:01 am

Mjoy64,

Yes, another woman shooter. Give her the M&P! I love mine.

If you and your lady are coming to the Conroe area drop me an email and my husband and I can meet you for a little shooting.

Donna
compvest@hughes.net

Venus Pax · Post by **Venus Pax** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:04 pm

mjoy, I was not offended at all.
I've read a lot of posts on this forum written by men that want their wives/girlfriends, daughters, etc to take up shooting as a sport. I mentioned places that I know other women shoot because I know it helps to make friends with other women at the range.

Although it does appear to be a "boys club", I haven't experienced many problems. Most are quite accepting, willing to help, and appreciate a different perspective.

RPBrown · Post by **RPBrown** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:18 pm

All of the women in my family have CHL and carry daily. My wife, oldest daughter and the neighbor across the street have a girls day out every Monday now. Shopping and shooting. Not necessarily in that order.

Mom and Dad don't shoot as much as they used to but still go out back about once a month (more in cooler weather).

Not sure about the rest of my daughters as they live in Houston and I only get to see them 3-4 times a year. (come on forum day).

And yes, you may lose a few weapons to them. Thats why I no longer shoot a 9 as they have all been adopted.

Tim the Teacher · Post by **Tim the Teacher** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:29 pm

Yep, Mrs. Tim the Teacher owns an XD9sc and carries regularly. We have practiced some drills in the house as well. She also has a yearly membership at the range so she can join me in skillset practice once every two weeks