March Newsletter

Hello,

I have blinked and another two months has gone by.  I hope this newsletter finds you doing well.  

Over the winter months I was able to take some much needed time off.  I am excited to see several projects that have been in the works for the last few months come to fruition.  Read on to find out about The "SAFETY" Hour and Team Ten-X

Meet Phil Patnaude
Patnaude Precision Gun Works

Phil is the son of Robert (Pat) Patnaude and Jintana. He grew up in Sparks and graduated from Reed High School. Working with his dad in his shop, Pat's Gun Shop, was a perfect beginning. Phil builds custom rifles and handguns, repairs of all types of firearms, reblueing, parkerizing, stock work, rebarreling, etc. With 20 years of experience, he truly has the knowledge and experience of a professional gunsmith. 

Phil is located out in the Spanish Springs area.  He is an awesome gunsmith that comes highly recommended.  Phil can be reached at 775-830-4282  Be sure to tell him The Women's Shooting Academy referred you. 

WHAT IS THE HOME SAFETY HOUR?

We have all been to that long, drawn out “Home Party.”  You know the one; it takes up your entire evening and you end up buying products you did not need.

The FREE Home “SAFETY” Hour is unlike any home presentation you have ever been to.  In fact, it just might be the one hour that saves your life.

You will get the opportunity to meet Vicki Kawelmacher, founder and CEO of The Women’s Shooting Academy & The Women’s Safety Academy.  Vicki will present a very personal hour, tailored specifically for you and your girlfriends.  Hear her powerful personal story and you will understand why she is so passionate about your safety.

The statistics are staggering.  There is a forcible rape every 5 to 8 minutes; every 9 seconds a women is beaten.  One out of every five women will be the victim of an attempted or a completed rape in her lifetime, while 4000 American women are murdered every year.  Don’t be her!  Arm yourself with knowledge and power, and then pass it on to every woman you know.

Pepper spray, knives, kubatons, personal alarms, diversion safes, these are just a few of the items Vicki will demonstrate.  You will have plenty of choices and options as you begin to figure out what is best for you.  All items will be available for you to take home that evening. 

Every hostess will receive a beautifully embroidered bag filled with a variety of safety items.  What are you waiting for?  

To schedule your Home “SAFETY” Hour, contact Vicki today.

Vick@homesafetyhour.com

www.homesafetyhour.com

(775)772-7064

SPECIAL EVENT:  SAVE THE DATE:  May 6th

INTRODUCTION TO COMPETITIVE SHOOTING

This course is designed to introduce a knowledgeable shooter to competitive tactical shooting.  Your objective is to progress from a target shooter to a defensive shooter by movement from one stationary target to another; shooting moving targets, and using barricades.  We will familiarize you with competitive shooting rules and regulations, scoring targets, reading a score sheet, equipment & attire, terminology, target definitions and demonstrate the skills needed to participate in organized shooting events.

The two main competitive shooting organizations are IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) and IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation). Both organizations are available to participate in locally.  The cost is very reasonable to participate.

This is a game; your mindset during this course should be to maintain the discipline of your tactics and safety.  Someday you may have to defend your personal safety and /or the safety of your loved ones, we want you to prevail!  Competitive shooting sports can be stressful.  They condition the individual how to respond and function effectively during a stressful, self defense encounter.

The time you dedicate to practicing at home and on the range, will help to develop the skills you need to become a safe, competitive shooter. 

Additional information will be provided when you register.  The first event will be held at The Carson City Range and the 2nd event will be held at The Washoe County Range.  The cost is $50.00 per person.

WHAT HAPPENED TO JOANNE?

Every few months I receive a phone call or an email from a past student.  Sometimes the stories have happy endings and other times they do not.  Here is a happy ending story.

I wanted to share my recent scary incident with you!
Three weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon, I was awakened by my horizontal blinds in my bedroom going crazy! Ron was out if town on business and my boys (Jake 4 & Josh 2) and I were napping. A man opened my sliding glass door and tried to break into my home. This was 2:45 pm on a Sunday afternoon! All the things I learned from your tactical/CCW classes helped me be strong and confident and think with clarity. I grabbed my Ruger 357 and shouted WTF scaring the living daylights out of this man. He took off. Long story short, law enforcement got involved, recovered finger prints and with my eye witness description was able to arrest this man.

I just want you to know that I truly have been empowered by what skills and knowledge you have instilled and that my precious boys and I are safe!

Joanne

I am super bummed as I watch the weather forecast for this Saturday morning, our first get together.  My hunch is we are going to cancel and wait until the next scheduled event which is on April 15th.  Please visit the Team Ten-X Website and order your shirt today! 

 CLICK HERE TEAM TEN-X

There are a few seats still available for this coming Sunday March 18th INTRODUCTION TO KNIFE TRAINING.  This class will not be offered again until the Fall.  If you are interested please contact Vicki.

 

Check the WSA WEBSITE often as new class dates are always being added.

"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government". 

- Thomas Paine (1737-1809), American Revolutionary, US Founding Father and Author
 

Until next time...

-Vicki

BRING ON THE NEW YEAR!

Hello,

I want to start by welcoming all you new subscribers to the WSA newsletter.  I want to encourage everyone to interact with this blog with comments and suggestions.  If you have an interesting or relevant topic please let me know and we will consider including it in an upcoming issue.

Another WSA venue to post photos and comments to would be facebook.. If you are not already a fan please "like" our pages today  The Women's Shooting Academy AND The Women's Safety Academy

 2011 was a year filled with many highs and lows both personally and professionally.  I reflect back with a lot of wonderful memories and I look forward to the endless possibilities the coming year may bring.  2012 will be the best year yet as I press on with my goal of seeing 500 ladies step into the world of gun ownership this year alone.  How do we do that?  We do that by putting together a training schedule to accommodate enough classes so that you will NOT have to wait months to get into a class.  We do that through an aggressive marketing campaign to reach women who have never even thought about gun training.  We do that through our instructors who share my passion and commitment.  And lastly we do that through you.  The greatest compliment any business can receive is a referral.  Your referrals are always appreciated!

WHO IS BEVERLY?
I wrote a short message on a story that I came across last week.  It's a very, very sad story with a tragic ending.  I did not know Beverly but I can not get her or her story out of my mind.  You can read my post about it here:  BEVERLY'S STORY   Stories like Beverly's are all to common, just turn on the news on any given day and you will find a story of a missing woman.  I am tired of hearing these stories.....sick and tired of scum bag, low life criminals that are getting away with these types of crimes.  More armed women means less rape and murder.

Where can we start?  We can start by encouraging all the women in our lives to become a WARRIOR.  WARRIOR stands for Women Against Rape Robbery Injustice Oppression and Rage.  The Women's Shooting Academy is holding a WARRIOR seminar on Saturday January 14th.  Here is the course description:  WARRIOR SEMINAR The cost is reduced to $40.00 and all who attend will receive a FREE pepper spray.  Pre-registration is required.  Call Vicki at (775) 772-7064 to sign up today.
 
In the coming weeks I will be updating the WSA website to include dates for all WSA classes.  Please continue to check it often so you don't miss out on that "KNIFE" class or the "GUN CLEANING" class.  These classes AWAYS fill up.


The first CONCEALED CARRY class for the new year is this coming Sunday the 8th.  If you have some basic firearms knowledge and have been thinking of getting your permits why not jump in.  A few seats are still available.


LADIES INTRODUCTION TO HANDGUNS continues to be the most popular class we offer.  This coming Saturday the 7th is probably the last class date till spring simply due to the cold weather here in Reno.  ONLY FOUR SEATS LEFT


WHERE IS WSA INSTRUCTOR KRISTY?
Kristy Cambra is now officially Kristy Imschweiler.  I am super excited to announce that Kristy is no longer just a WSA instructor, she is now an official member of my family.  Kristy and my oldest son Matt were married in October.  With Matt being in the Air Force and stationed in Italy Kristy has relocated to Italy until early 2014.  Kristy will still be a part of WSA team, just from behind the scenes.

CONGRATULATIONS MATT & KRISTY!

My New Years Wish For You All,
May 2012 be your best year EVER!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-Mark Twain

Are you looking for a group of folks to go shooting with?  If there is a genuine interest here, I will explore what that will take to get started...you gotta let me know though!

I look forward to seeing many of you again in the coming months.  I want to say ♥THANK YOU♥ for your continued support and encouragement!  We have some exciting things planned for this year....stay tuned, you will be the first to hear about them.  For a complete list of WSA classes CLICK HERE

Until next time....

-Vicki

September Newsletter

Let me introduce you to Chris and Jamie Parker.  Chris and Jamie are the owners of Jack Ross Ammunition, they are a local manufacturer based in Reno.  They currently offer factory ammo in .9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 Auto.  Please support local business and give Jack Ross Ammo your support.  Jack Ross Website
Be sure to mention WSA.

In light of this weeks tragedy in Carson City and the upcoming 10th anniversary of September 11th please take some time this next week to think about your safety.  Not only your safety but those you love.  Don't wait until tragedy strikes to do something about your safety. Personal safety is a topic that should be discussed around the dinner table on a regular basis with those you share your life with. WHAT WOULD WE DO IF_______________? Start asking this question and then fill in the blank. REMEMBER, you could have a great plan and it could fall apart and you could still become a victim. Have a plan B and a plan C.

Here's a little something from WSA instructor TK:

Next Steps: Are you ready for a gunfight?

Teaching basics of introduction to hand guns, conceal carry and basic tactics is a lot of fun. Students find new skills, expand their mindsets and learn their pistols more intimately.

We teach about encounters at home, the store and other various places. The mind set is to be prepared for an unexpected encounter from a criminal.

However, I have begun to understand how limiting that mind set can be. It is a good starting point and light years ahead of where the student originally starts from. Many times, students have already been victims of crimes when they seek training. This reinforces that most training is focused on criminal encounters.

Unfortunately, the events in Carson City this week reminded me that we need to always move forward in our training and over come limiting mind sets. Let me explain.

Recently I was watching TV and there was a story about a gentleman who had been involved in MULTIPLE gunfights. The first two were random. However in the second gunfight, the perpetrators were gang members. They came back for more, several more to be exact. I was impressed what this man did to prepare himself after the first fight. It saved his life in the ensuing encounters as he survived them all!

In old western days, gunfights were common. Gunfighters trained vigorously to be fast on the draw. (When was the last time you practiced your draw?)  The only time truly tested, bet their life on their training and speed. They have disappeared from the modern landscape and with it the mindset of the “gunfight.”

Today’s gunfight can usually be traced to a gang origin because it involves more than one assailant.  Most of us train but rarely for multiple assailants. That is where we need to change our basic CCW mind set. Take charge and be prepared to handle more than one threat at a time. They may mean learning to carry an extra magazine or extra pistol.

I think it just boils down to this: What are you going to do about winning a gunfight?

-TK

EXERCISE YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT:
The Women's Shooting Academy has two upcoming concealed carry classes.  The dates are Saturday September 24th & Sunday October 23rd.  If you would like to reserve your seat please call Vicki at
(775) 772-7064

LADIES LADIES LADIES 

We have two seats left in Saturdays (09-10-11) Introduction to Rifle's Class.  WSA instructors Kristy and Tammy will teach you everything you need to know about shooting a rifle.  Everything for this class will be provided for you including guns, targets, ammo, hearing and eye protection.

For a complete list of WSA classes please visit the website at: http://www.womensshootingacademy.com/

"War is good when good survives and evil is crushed. If you don't crush evil then evil will get you."
-Ted Nugent

Please submit via email your relevant stories and photos to be used in an upcoming newsletter to: vicki@womensshootingacademy.com

Until next time, be well, stay safe and have a plan!


-Vicki

July Newsletter

The Women's Shooting Academy had a lot of fun shooting our first official commercial.  I want to say thanks again to Kristy, Hanae, Patty, Marika and Kimi for stepping up and offering to be a part of it.  You ladies are awesome and I love y'all.

Enjoy, feel free to pass it on.

 

Two new laws recently went into effect in Nevada

Assembly Bill 217 and Assembly Bill 282 went into effect on July 1.

Assembly Bill 217, introduced by Assemblyman John Ellison (R-33), allows residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in Nevada.  It also allows Nevada residents to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states.  This legislation brings Nevada in line with the protections provided by the Firearms Owners Protection Act, which allows for the interstate sale of long guns by federally licensed firearms dealers. 

Assembly Bill 282, introduced by Speaker John Oceguera (D-16), is a four-point omnibus gun bill. While this bill was initially problematic due to NRA-opposed language being inserted on the Assembly floor, the bill was rewritten in a joint legislative conference committee to benefit Nevada Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit holders.

AB 282 will:

• ensure that CCW permit holders’ names and addresses remain confidential;
• revise Nevada state law to allow carrying of any semi-automatic pistol, as with revolvers, once qualified for a CCW permit with a semi-automatic pistol;
• allow carrying of firearms in Nevada state parks;
• statutorily mandate a background investigation (which is currently being done by all Nevada sheriffs) for CCW permit renewals for the purpose of reinstating the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) exemption for Nevada, thus ensuring that permit holders do not have to go through a point-of-contact check for every firearm purchased, as long as the CCW permit is valid.

I am very excited to announce the launch of  iCarry2.  The iCarry2 WEBSITE and store are now up and running.  Please take a moment to browse the STORE and read our BLOG. 
Our blog is A Little Of This And A Little Of That For Women Who Shoot, Hunt & Fish. We Are NEVER Afraid To Share Our Opinion And Love Hearing Yours.

Upcoming Events


Kristy and I will be at the upcoming Reno Crossroads of the West Gun Show on July 30th & 31st.  This gun show is being held at the Reno Convention Center.  Please be sure to stop by The Women's Shooting Academy and iCarry2 tables. FREE CANDY TO ALL WHO COME SAY HI.

I have recently added some new dates to the WSA WEBSITE.  Don't miss the upcoming RIFLE CLASS being taught by Kristy Cambra, multiple dates to choose from.  Tammy Rianda recently became a certified  rifle instructor and will be assisting Kristy.
If you have any questions or need additional information call Vicki at (775) 772-7064.

WHAT IS A WARRIOR?

A warrior is a fighter. She is a woman determined to win all battles and I believe every women has a warrior spirit. You must prepare for the predator that is ready to attack at the opportune moment. The warrior woman finds herself in many situations and places as she goes about her day.

You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to become a WARRIOR, when you do, you and those around  you will be less likely to become a victim!  WARRIOR INFORMATION

 “You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.”
-Aristotle

Until next time....be well, stay safe and enjoy your summer!

-Vicki

Introduction To Rifles

This class is perfect for the man or woman who has always wanted to learn how to shoot a rifle. It is an introductory level class that explains types of rifle actions, proper terminology, true rifle fundamentals and the shooting sport opportunities available to rifle shooters. You will learn to shoot from these positions, prone, sitting, kneeling and standing.

A portion of this class is taught indoors (3-4 hours), while the latter part of the class takes place on the shooting range (4-5 hours). To train fundamentals without the forceful recoil of a high-power rifle we will shoot .22 LR only.

Everything needed for the class is provided including rifles, shooting mat, ammunition, targets, hearing and eye protection.

Space is VERY limited so that personal attention can be given to each and every student.

Classes are offered as a ladies only class and a co-ed class.  The class Fee is $125.00

    Saturday, July 23rd (LADIES ONLY)
    Sunday, July 24th (CO-ED)
    Saturday, September 10th (LADIES ONLY)
    Sunday, September 11th (CO-ED)

SIGN UP TODAY!
Call Vicki at (775) 772-7064

 

iCarry2 launches in Reno

Meet Vicki & Kristy, Co-Founders of iCarry2

The idea is simple. We are two women who shoot, hunt and carry. Our mission is to create a line of stylish clothing and accessories that represents who you are and what you do. iCarry2 gives women the ability to join in camaraderie as we pursue our adventurous outdoor lifestyles. Gone are the days where women have to wear a man’s shirt, because we carry2.


It all started out of frustration. We were sick of tailoring $15.00 men’s shirts simply because we wanted to wear a shirt that represented our love of the shooting industry. It’s clear: they (the industry) don’t make enough clothing and accessories for women who shoot, hunt and fish. Women in the industry are growing at an incredibly fast rate, and very few companies have mastered the art of ensuring these women have the ability to share with the world their passion for the outdoors and shooting sports. Our line is designed to do exactly that…catch the eye of someone walking by, spark up a conversation, or simply give women the ability to sport their hobby, passion or lifestyle. Whether you are more subtle in your message to the world or want to shout it from the rooftops, we have something for all women who are passionate about the outdoors, conservation, and the shooting sports. 


As co-founders of the icarry2 line, we stand on our faith and pledge to give back a portion of all company proceeds. As free American citizens, we are passionate about helping women and children around the globe break away from the bonds of slavery and human trafficking that continues to grow and plague not only our country, but our world. We have partnered with NotforSale, a non-profit agency which combines technology, intellectual capital, abolitionist groups and a growing network of individuals like yourself – joined together to end slavery in our lifetime. Please take a few moments to check out their foundation at http://www.notforsalecampaign.org./


We want women who wear these shirts to feel proud of who they are and not afraid to show the world.  We want to give women in the shooting industry a voice…via a t-shirt and/or accessories.


OK....we do have an iCarry2 rifle shirt for the guys too! 


We will be at the Reno Crossroads of the West Gun Show May 21st & 22nd.  Find iCarry2 right next to The Women's Shooting Academy and Star Targets.  Please come out and show your support.




The iCarry2 website and store will launch this coming weekend as well, you can find us at:  http://icarry2.com/

As women we carry many things.......but most of all iCarry2 my freedom!

Blessings... 

Vicki & Kristy

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 
-1 Peter 4:10

FINDING THE RIGHT HANDGUN

 Written by:  K Caliber

So now you’ve conquered your fear, you’ve educated yourself on how to shoot a handgun…you’ve taken ladies intro. Next step: find yourself a firearm! Taking a training course truly is half the battle. In fact, I’d venture to say the tough stuff is in your quest to find the right handgun. I would like to provide you with a small amount of guidance that just might get you through your search with a little less stress, a lot more enjoyment and the end result being the purchase of the proper handgun for YOU!

Now please understand all ladies are different, I love my Springfield XD in .40 caliber, another lady I know prefers a Ruger LCP chambered in .380. Some have long skinny hands, others have short stalky fingers, our skill level and muscle strength varies dramatically. Many ladies like slim framed pistols while others prefer molded Hogue grips.  In the world of purchasing firearms, especially when it comes to pistols, the best piece of advice I can give you is don’t let someone else tell you what you want. Please, if you are in the market for a pistol, take the time to consider the following purchasing tips; it may make the difference between a great purchasing experience and a terrible one.

Do your research!
    Think about when you bought your last car. I bet you did a little internet research before contacting a dealer, right?! I also bet you test drove multiple models and asked relentless questions about features and reliability of each car until you finally narrowed it down to the car that best fit you and your family.
Ladies, gun shopping should be done the exact same way! Subscribe to a magazine(s), research blogs, ask other ladies who shoot what they like and why. Look at features such as the size of the firearm, the caliber it is chambered in, are there any external or internal safety features. Do your research before you even step foot in a gun store.

Compare Feel!
    So there is one vital mistake anyone can make when they purchase a firearm, buying one that isn’t comfortable in their hands. If you don’t feel comfortable holding the gun, you aren’t going to shoot the gun accurately. It’s important the frame of the firearm isn’t too big or too small for you, and that the grips are either comfortable or molded to fit your hands. If you pick the gun up and it isn’t comfortable, either don’t buy the firearm or find the right grips.

Ask questions!
    If you do your initial research and you know which type of firearm is right for you (which you should have been able to determine at the end of the day you took the Ladies Intro class) you should have a ton of questions for the sales personnel you work with.  Remember, that if the salesman or woman is truly interested in ensuring you go home with the right firearm, they will be asking you just as many questions! Compare features, ask the expert to tell you why one model is better than the other. You may like a gun with no external safety or it may be very important that you have one...

Tell them about yourself and how you conduct your business. Do you have kids, perhaps you have arthritis, maybe you are a left-handed shooter, or perhaps you summer in Idaho and winter in Arizona. All these things will play a huge part in which firearm you choose to purchase. Ask the salesperson any and all questions you can think of. Do they suggest certain types of ammunition for practice and others for self-defense? If so, why do they suggest each item? How about cleaning and storage? There are thousands of lubricants, solvents and other cleaning items to choose from. What works best, which brand is the safest? You won’t know if you don’t ask…

Know your purpose!
    I can’t say this enough; there is no ‘one handgun’ on the market that will do everything for you. Generally if the gun is fun to shoot, it is larger in size and has some weight to it, which means it is no longer practical to use for carry. Same with concealed carry handguns, they are generally compact and lightweight making them less comfortable to shoot when out at the range or at a competition. You can find firearms that will be OK for dual purpose; however, the reality is you might want to think about buying multiple handguns for multiple purposes.
Know your strengths and your weaknesses!

    It is a very personal decision to buy either a pistol or a revolver. If you have a difficult time functioning a revolver, you really need to consider buying a semi-automatic handgun. If a semi-automatic has too many bells and whistles and you do not want so many options or perhaps are apprehensive about potential malfunctions, you might lean towards buying a revolver. Knowing yourself, your daily routine and how well you can function each type of handgun will make a difference when purchasing any firearm.
  
What is your price point?
    Alright, I’ll break out the dreaded question…What do you want to spend on your firearm? In all reality you may go above or below your budget to find the right gun but you need to have an idea of what you are willing to spend. Here’s the deal with this though….if you aren’t willing to go above a set budget yet cannot find a handgun you like in your price range; I suggest waiting and saving more money. It’s one more day without a gun, but you are more dangerous to your loved ones, yourself and the public if you don’t have a gun you can function well or feel comfortable with.  Realize this purchase is an investment that may save your life or the life of someone you know and love one day. This may be the single biggest decision you make. (Until you are like me and now have a handgun collection far bigger than you’ll ever need!!)  Take it seriously, and set the necessary money aside to be able to purchase ammunition, storage and cleaning supplies.

    As I said before, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to buying a handgun. So many factors play into your decision and which gun will work best for you. Please take the time to consider the work you owe yourself to do the research, ask the questions, and complete the self-evaluation you will need to complete while shopping for the right gun. However, through all the seriousness don’t forget this is fun! Having your own firearm and shooting at the range with friends and family is fun!! This should be a pleasant experience, but if it isn’t-find yourself a new gun dealer who cares about you, or call WSA we’ll help you out.

Do you have something interesting or relevant that you would like to share?  If so, please send me an email at vicki@womensshootingacademy.com

Until next time...


-Vicki