About Me

I'm a 71 year old Grandma who just happened to venture into the world of firearms....you see, it's like this...

I've always been athletic, fast and strong. I've never really worried about not being able to protect myself until I hit my 60's and this old body just isn't the same.  I learned that when I narrowly avoided being car jacked in the Walmart parking lot...

My son attended a concealed carry firearms training class and that got me thinking.....Hmm...I'd level that playing field pretty good if I could use a gun for personal protection  now wouldn't I? 

I joined the Locked and Loaded Women and started my learning journey.  I have conceal carry permits for my home state as well as Maryland,  PA & Utah. 

And - I love to shoot my guns!!  I am also passionate about helping other women on this journey. 

I carry my Springfield EMP 4 CCC or my P365 XL everywhere I go. I also have the Springfield XDM, and the new Prodigy 4.25 plus, a Ruger SR1911 (45) and  a Sig M17 that I like to shoot. My new favorite is my Smith & Wesson M&P Competitor! Those are my favorite pistols to have fun with at the range!

I also have a Black Rain Ordance  AR-15 rifle  and a Berretta shotgun for shooting clays.   

I decided to take the same concealed carry class as my son did and learn about firearms. I was intimidated by a class that I thought would have all young, macho men so I signed up for the 'women only' class. I purchased a SCCY 9mm pistol and my son showed me how to use it and shoot it  - I wasn't very good...BUT, I went to the class and I learned a lot about gun safety and how they work.  I also learned I didn't like that handgun action of DAO. We also had a session at the range for firing practice and I REALLY liked that part. After the class, I needed to learn more and shoot more so I went online and wore out Goggle looking for information - and I found a lot! The best thing I did was join a local women's firearm group - The Locked and Loaded Women, in Delaware and then took the NRA Basic Pistol Course. I also shot with my son who taught me as well. I joined a couple of local ranges, bought a couple of guns and started to make shooting a regular part of my routine. 

I am now an NRA Firearms Instructor and NRA Range Safety Officer as well as a USCCA instructor - and I'm the President and Chief Instructor for the new Locked N' Loaded Ladies group. I teach the  Delaware & Maryland conceal carry classes on a regular basis. 

I continue to train regularly so I can defend myself and my family in the real world if necessary.   

First things first! Before you even think about buying a gun, take a basic pistol course.  After you take a course, then you should continue to learn about pistols. One course isn't  enough to absorb all you need to know to make a decision about what firearm to buy. 

Before you buy a firearm, talk to your gun friends and see if you can borrow different types of firearms OR maybe spend time at a range renting different guns. You need to think about which type of action works best for you. Do you want striker fire,  double action only, single action semi auto or DA/SA??? You need to understand that before you purchase your first handgun. Heck - you might be a revolver girl and not a semi auto one like me! 

There is a lot to learn before you make that purchase!

If you take the NRA Basic Pistol class from me with the Locked and Loaded Ladies's Firearm Group, I will provide you with my Colt 1911 chambered in 22lr so you can get some experience with a manageable firearm. 

You must also realize that it takes PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE to learn how to shoot accurately. If you're not dedicated to learning and shooting accurately don't bother!