Women-Only Gun Classes Growing In Popularity
LINDEN (CBS13) – They're getting ready to hit the target – and they're doing a good job
"The women learn so much better than the men. I hate to say this but I'd rather teach women's only then men only," said lead firearms instructor Gordon Gray.
After retiring with the Stockton Police Department, Gray now focuses on teaching people how to shoot – especially women. He says it's easy to see their improvement.
"When you first start, it looks like a shotgun was shooting it. The tighter the group gets, the more confident they come," Gray said.
Gordon says most women have anxiety about coming out and shooting for the first time.
"I think it keeps them from coming out here honestly. They don't feel prepared or ready. They don't want to embarrass," said Christine Zador, owner of the San Joaquin Rifle and Pistol Range.
Zador prides herself on making women feel comfortable coming out to the range, and it's working. Women are coming out in droves for the women-only classes.
"To be able to control something that powerful and to gain confidence and improve, there's a little bit of adrenaline rush in it," Zador said.
Gordon thinks with less funding for local law enforcement, women are looking to protect themselves – realizing they're also good at the sport.
"At first all the guys were pretty impressed and surprised, but now word is getting out that women are great with firearms," Zador said.
The San Joaquin Rifle and Pistol Range hosts women-only shooting classes every first Thursday of the month. For more information, head to their website at http://www.lindengunrange.com/.