August Updates

Hello there,

I hope you are all well and enjoying your summer.  Did you know that there are only 139 days until Christmas.....yikes!

Lots to get to so I am going to jump right in.  Below is a link to a video that I am very proud of.  The NRA crew did a beautiful job and captured all I stand for in 5 minutes.  Enjoy! CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

You asked and we delivered.  The rifle class is Co-Ed and now taking sign ups.  Have you ever shot an AR before, you will at this class!

LADIES LADIES LADIES, I have a very big favor.  The Women's Safety Academy is moving to the forefront to emerge as a bigger force in the coming months.  Completing my SURVEY will take you LESS than 5 minutes and help us as we move forward to plan an event later next year.  To participate please CLICK HERE

Since I am talking to you ladies right now I want to tell you about a monthly event starting next week.  LADIES NIGHT AT THE RANGE....no boys allowed.  If you would like to join us you must call SAFESHOT at (775) 284-8984 to sign up.  When we are full we are full.

Talk is cheap, you are only as good as the time and commitment you put into your training!  See you at the range.

HELP ME HELP HER
What the heck is this? I like to step out of the box and always be thinking of ways that I can make a difference in the lives of women.  This idea came to me as a result of a news story that caught my attention a few months ago.  READ THE WHOLE STORY HERE
I need letters and I need donations and with your help we can get there!  If you know a women that needs what the women's shooting academy can offer please nominate her.  I will give the best of me for 4 days, all expenses paid!

DO YOU NEED YOUR CCW PERMIT?  I have a few opening in this Saturday's (8/10) CCW class. If you would like to sign up please call Carol at (775) 830-6144 and she will get you all signed up.

COMING SOON!  The Women's Safety Academy will be offering a series of self defense classes. Many of you have met Joey Walker, Joey is a retired police lieutenant with a black belt in multiple disciplines. Joey will be joined by three other highly trained men and women to offer you the best of the best.  YOUR SAFETY MATTERS TO US! We care about you and will do our part to help you minimize your chances of becoming a statistic.  Stay tuned, more information coming soon!  The WSA team is growing and I am blessed to be surrounded by the best!

Kyla and Natalie have completed their NRA training, you will be seeing lots more from these two amazing gals in the coming months.

Thank you for your continued support and referrals, without you all there would be no WSA.

REMEMBER- If you are not watching your surroundings you can bet your surroundings are watching you!  Be safe out there and always keep an eye on your six.

Until next time....

-V

 

Guns are Worthless

Guns are worthless.  Yep, I said it.  If your jaw just introduced itself to your keyboard and you started shaking your fist in total disgust, I ask that you hear me out for a second.  Since you’ve found this blog, I’d bet my first born that you have your CCW permit or at least begun the process for one.  You may have also purchased the gun you will carry concealed--maybe even a fancy little holster to put it in and attach to your body.  You’ve probably even pictured yourself whipping out your gun at a moment’s notice and taking down a crazed lunatic trying to attack you.  However, first, you have to see that crazed lunatic, don’t you?  If, at red lights and in grocery lines, you’re imagining purple unicorns flying over double rainbows, your gun is worthless.

I understand constant vigilance is difficult. I consider myself rather safety minded yet somehow, those pesky unicorns still find a way inside my brain, too.  What can I say?  I’m only human, after all, and a female human, at that!  We ladies are at a disadvantage from birth, not just physically but mentally.  I don’t mean that to say women are weak or dumb; quite the contrary.  We just have a lot going on upstairs.  For the most part our husbands, boyfriends, kids, pets, wayward grandmothers count on us to make sure they’re fed, clothed, cleaned, transported, retrieved, walked, diapered, etc.  And, oh yeah, we still have to find time to make sure our own socks match, too.  Can you blame us for taking that mental break every now and then to recharge?  Heck, I do it all the time.  It’s my biggest challenge in terms of my safety.

I’m not an eye contact kind of person to begin with; it makes me uncomfortable so it takes a lot of effort for me to pay more attention to my surroundings.  I have to tell myself repeatedly to exit the “White” zone and make note of the yellow tennis shoes wearing the guy across the street or the man leaning against a building 20 feet away.  Because if I allow danger to take me by surprise, my gun is worthless.  My pepper spray is worthless.  And I’m in trouble.

Women are gifted with an incredible intuition, let’s vow to trust it more, shall we?  A fellow WSA student who worked in security quoted a phrase she used at work.  “Just Doesn’t Look Right” or JDLR for short.  I can’t even count high enough to number all the times in my life I’ve experienced the JDLR’s.  The lady in this story had a classic case of JDLR’s and, luckily, managed to avoid a potentially dangerous situation had she and her friend not trusted their intuition. 

The bottom line here, ladies, is WAKE UP!  If you aren’t watching your surroundings, you better believe your surroundings are watching you. Use your peripheral to create a mental map of what’s around you at all times.  All of your planning and training and purchasing of personal protection items doesn’t matter if you don’t pay attention, primarily, to the goings on around you.  So, pick your heads up ladies because ultimately, your gun is worthless without you.

-Cat

AKA: WSA Resident Word-Smith

WSA UPDATES

Hi there,

I hope this update finds you settling into 2013 and doing well.  WSA is a little behind getting some updates out to you.  We have been very busy behind the scenes preparing to move into spring with a full teaching schedule.

Please help me welcome Carina Funk to the team.  Carina is working on a very special event coming to Reno this summer. Grand Sierra, Girls, Guns, Shooting, Tahoe, Food, Black Jack...no boys allowed exclusive weekend!  Stay tuned for more details.  To read more about Carina CLICK HERE

A great big THANK YOU to WSA instructor Carol.  Carol has really stepped up and is taking on even more to help me out.  Carol will be scheduling all classes and also helping with emails and phone calls.  This will free me up significantly and allow me to focus on growing the business.  Be sure to check  out the TEAM TEN-X BLOG that Carol manages.

A very special event coming this Saturday to Reno!
SURVIVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SEMINAR, this is a CO-ED event and we still have some seats available.  For more information or to register please contact Vicki at (775) 722-7064

BLING BLING BLING

Custom WSA dog tags and custom WSA belt buckles, includes belt.  Each piece is unique, no two pieces are the same.  All items will be available on the WSA STORE soon!  I have some available now, call Vicki to order today!

THE WARRIOR IN EVERY WOMAN SEMINAR-
Due to a recent livingsocial deal I have decided to honor the $29.00 discounted rate all year.  This is a savings of 52% off the regular $60.00 rate.  All dates are posted on the WSA WEBSITE.

Together we are better, thanks for your continued support!

I look forward to seeing many of you in an upcoming class.

Until next time....

-Vicki

January Special Event w/Joey Walker

Hello,

Happy December 4th.  This is a short and sweet announcement to let you know about a very special event coming up in January.

The Women's Shooting Academy is excited to announce THE ONE DAY WARRIOR,  what to do before, during and after an attack, with special guest instructor Joey Walker.  We only have 17 seats left so don't wait to register.  This is a LADIES ONLY event, and expected to sell out.  Pre-registration and full payment if due at time of registration.  Contact Vicki by phone at (775) 772-7064 or by email at vcki@womensshootingacademy.com to sign up. 
DO NOT CALL CABELA'S TO REGISTER.

SPRING SCHEDULE:
I am still working on the spring schedule for all  WSA classes.  Updated dates will be available HERE in the coming days.  Check back often!


Here is a happy holiday video that I think is a must watch. 
ENJOY!

“A girl can never have too many shoes,
too many guns, or too much ammunition”
-VK

WSA News & Updates

Hi there,

I thought I would start by letting you know that Christmas is only 80 days away....YIKES.  Be sure to check out the new WSA Store for some great stocking stuffers.  As the holidays approach I look back at 2012 and realize that while it had it's highs and lows it has been a fabulous year for WSA.  We have added quite a few new classes and also two new instructors.  I look towards 2013 with great anticipation of the things to come. 

OK back to October.  I know that this is short notice but I wanted to let you know that tomorrow (Saturday) Cabela's is having a ladies day.  Myself and Carol will be doing three FREE seminars.  Please come out and say hello.  If you have any questions or need additional information call Cabela's at 829-4100.  Beginning on November 3rd, and continuing the first Saturday of every month through March I will be giving a free 90 minute handgun overview.

INTRODUCTION TO PEPPER SPRAY:  The next pepper spray class will be held on Tuesday October 16th, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  Everyone who attends will receive a FREE pepper spray. Space is limited so register today to guarantee your seat.  Call Vicki at (775) 772-7064 to sign up.

TEAM TEN-X NEWS:  I am super excited with the direction Team Ten-X is going.  We are transitioning one of the WSA classes (Instructional Shooting Workshop) to Team Ten-X.  Here is a link to the team website, be sure to check out the blog and watch Theresa show you how it's done.  If you are serious about your training then we will see you at the range!

THE WSA STORE IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS!  I am really excited to finally reveal the new Women's Shooting Academy Store.  I will be adding more items a little at a time as I get used to running an online store.  Thank you for all your support and encouragement!  If there is something you would like to see me carry I am always open for suggestion.  Let's go shopping!

For a complete list of  WSA classes CLICK HERE

Until next time....

-Vicki

“A girl can never have too many shoes,
too many guns, or too much ammunition”
-VK

Act like a lady

Me act like a lady...I don't think so!

We all have learned to keep our distance from trouble.  As an instructor, part of the lesson plan I teach for self defense awareness is teaching individuals how to avoid and evade potential dangerous situations.  You should never allow a stranger to break into that 3’-5’ “personal space” you have around you.  That space is your absolute safety zone. 

OK, worst case scenario; what happens if the assailant gets in, gets hands on? Have you thought about what your next move will be? Whether you employ self defense hands on techniques, or if you have not had formal training and it is just raw fighting, either way it will be the fight of your life.  OK, so now we are talking about actually fighting for your safety and maybe for your life.  Ladies, it may be very difficult to imagine yourself in a knockdown, drag out fight. Am I right? As females we naturally are the ones who are sweet, kind, nurturing, comforting. We don’t throw punches; we don’t wrestle on the ground and get hit.  It’s was always the boys that were in fights on the playground & after school, not us girls.  At least where I grew up!

Well, make no mistake about it, if an assailant gets a hold of you, it will be the fight of your life.  If you get the chance to fight, you need to be a raw, dirty & brutal.  Give him everything you’ve got, screaming, biting, scratching, and punching; literally as if your life depended on it.  Your elbow is one of the strongest, most effective ways to deliver good solid blows. Also, the heel of your hand straight up into the nose of your assailant is a very effective deterrent. 

Keep it together mentally, be aggressive and get away as soon as you can as fast as you can.  First and foremost don’t you ever give up! 

Keep training and be safe….

WSA Instructor Carol

August Newsletter

Hi there,

As I sat down to write this blog I realized that it's been far too long since I have been in touch. I hope you are having a fabulous summer. 

I have been very busy working on some really exciting stuff for WSA.  I'll share some now and save some for later.  It's been in the works for a long time but I am really happy to have FINALLY finished The Introduction to Handguns book. This book will be available for purchase sometime next week!  I will let you know how you can order your copy!  Here is a preview of the front and back cover.

Whether you are new to firearms or an experience shooter you will benefit from reading this handbook, there's a little something for everyone inside.

TWO NEW CLASSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE WSA SCHEDULE
Tactics 2 & Instructional Shooting Workshop
If you have taken Intro. to Tactics you will NOT want to miss this class.  Here is a short video of what it's like, with WSA instructor Carol showing you how it's done.

These new classes will fill up FAST, sign up today or you will end up on the waiting list.  Call Vicki at (775) 772-7064 to register. Here is a comment from Theresa who took the class this past Sunday.

When I signed up for the Women's Introduction to Handguns class I was very nervous.  In my past as a young girl I had shot shotguns with my father and in my later years handguns with my husband. I was very uncomfortable around guns. I didn't know how to properly handle a gun and they scared me.  In all the times I ever went shooting  I was always handed the loaded gun and told where to shoot.  After taking this class I realized I really never knew how to safely or properly use a handgun. I left the class with a much better understanding and was definitely more comfortable with a gun.

I then went shopping with my husband and bought my "own" gun.  I decided to take the Introduction to Tactics class to improve my shooting and feel more comfortable in a tactical situation. I had so much fun and felt that I learned so much more that I decided to sign up for the  Tactics 2 class, Introduction to Competitive shooting.  I felt this class really helped me to improve with defensive shooting  in a more stressful situation.  We did various types of drills with different types of targets, not just your normal stand, aim, and shoot.  This was such a fun and exciting class!  Never in a million years did I ever think that I would enjoy shooting a gun and after this class I am definitely going to attend some of the additional shooting workshops held by the Women's Shooting Academy and maybe even look into participating in a competitive shooting event in the future.

I came home with a new passion for shooting and know that if I should ever have to protect my personal safety, or the safety of my family, I will have the knowledge, power and confidence  to not be the victim!

All of Vicki's classes and her instructors have been awesome. I would not hesitate to recommend any of her classes to anyone.

Theresa, Reno

GUN CLEANING FOR RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS ONLY 

This is brand new and has never before been offered.  YOU ASKED AND WE LISTENED, don't miss this one because it won't be offered again until December.  Check the gun cleaning dates here.

Be sure to join the WSA lively discussions on FACEBOOK

Here is a link to some great information regarding GUN LAWS

 

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