Women & Guns: Ask Drill Instructor Amy Dillon

Are you a woman with firearms-related questions….or maybe a man who would like some much-needed womanly insight into the industry? You've come to the right place! You can email any questions for Amy directly at [email protected]. We'll make sure she gets them!

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Dear Amy,

I'm a young mother with limited firearms background and I would like to get into shooting. How do I start? I want to make sure my children are safe but I am worried about having a gun in the house (they are 5 and 2 respectively). 

Dear Young Mother,

Understanding the responsibility that comes with owning and using a firearm is the first step in the process. By asking your questions, you are already at the right start. When you say you “would like to get into shooting,” consider whether you mean recreationally, competitive shooting, or owning a gun to keep in the home for self-defense. There may be different points of discussion to bring up in each instance. I would encourage you to seek out a certified firearms instructor in your area that you could meet with and ask for an introduction to firearms and/or other beginner/safety class first. A certified instuctor should be able to go over firearm safety rules, different types of handguns, as well as discuss items you should have in your home to secure firearms and ensure your children remain safe. You can visit your local range to find an instructor in your area, or you can use the provided links to help you search:

http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx

http://wheretoshoot.org/index2.cfm

Even as a firearms instructor myself, I regularly seek out additional training, as well as refresher courses in safety and fundamentals. It is important to not allow yourself to become complacent when it comes to training and understanding how important safety is when handling firearms.

I would also encourage you to visit www.projectchildsafe.org which is a website for a national organization “Project Child Safe” which promotes education and safety with firearms specifically around young children. There are many resources they provide for free, such as pamphlets, brochures, and safety kits. I have many family members and friends that have young children at home. Understanding firearm safety, the importance of it, and knowing how to talk to your children about firearm safety as they get older are all aspects you need to ensure you are comfortable with as a firearms owner.

I hope I have given you a good starting point. Safety should remain your first priority when it comes to owning a handgun. With the proper education and training, your confidence will build when it comes to bringing a firearm into your home while ensuring the protection of your children.

Please feel free to write back if you have additional questions!

Stay safe,
Amy

Amy Dillon is a former Marine Corps Drill Instructor and Combat Marksmanship Instructor who served 12 years active-duty and is now committed to pursuing her goals in the Firearms Industry and Legal Community. In addition to her military certifications, Amy is certified as a Concealed Weapons Permit Instructor by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, State of Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, and Georgia Carry Organization. She is a firearms instructor for the National Rifle Association, as well as a Personal Safety Academy Instructor for the SABRE Civilian Safety Awareness Program. Amy is employed as a Firearms Instructor by Palmetto State Armory and is a current student in the Legal Studies Program at South University in Georgia. As a freelance writer, Amy regularly contributes articles related to gun laws and gun topics to various media publications. She resides in South Carolina.