"The Why" Behind What We Do:

"My Why...When I was young, I was a victim of an assault. It changed who I was and how I lived. I was afraid of anything and everything. As I grew older, I realized I needed to take my power back and never allow something like that to happen again. I took self-defense classes and learned the critical hitting points on a body. I unrealistically felt that my physical strength could protect me from anything I might encounter. Thankfully, I remained safe. I did not, however, consider long range defense. As I have aged and society in general has changed, I know that my physical strength has waned. I know that I cannot defend myself without additional tools. Those tools include a firearm and training. Those two things go hand in hand. Being a survivor rather than a victim, I have been led to this point to teach others about safe, responsible, and respectful gun ownership. Seeing the transformation of being timid and fearful to being confident and empowered is like teaching a child to ride a bike. At first, there is reluctance, fear, unsure and faltering attempts in learning how to use the tool given to them. To see the moment of understanding in the attitude and actions of the student makes it all worthwhile. Teaching the safe and proper way to use firearms, how to be responsible, and how to increase knowledge through ongoing practice and training is my ultimate goal."

- Rebecca Barham, NRA Certified Instructor, USCCA Certified Instructor

"My Why....When I became a widow, I realized truly how I had to become my own first responder.  Even if I do live in a sleepy little community, violence was slowly making its way into the area.  As a woman, I had always tried to keep aware of my surroundings, but when I began to take classes on "Situation Awareness" and "Preparing for the Fight" I realized I was beginning  to feel a passion build to teach others, especially women, that it is okay to be prepared, okay to carry a gun responsibly, okay to defend their families if necessary.   As we train people I can see that in their minds, "we get it" and quite honestly, "if they can do it, I can do it".  Watching that realization dawn on people as we train them, empowers them with a confidence and responsibility that most have never experienced.  That makes me super excited to reach even more people."
 
- Janet Bryan, A Girl & A Gun Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, USCCA Certified Instructor, Image Based Decisional Drills Instructor through The Complete Combatant

“My Why…. After surviving and in the process of recovering from a near-death motorcycle accident in 2006 I felt very vulnerable physically because I was walking with a walker or a cane. I lived in a “safe and quiet neighborhood” but a home across the street from mine was broken into and a woman was raped. That was enough to motivate me to get my Concealed Carry License because I refused to be someone’s victim. You see, having a firearm and being properly trained on how to use it is a great equalizer.  I want to help others, especially women feel confident that they can protect themselves.  I pray that I will never have to use my firearm to stop a threat but my training and mindset prepares me to do so if needed.”
 
- Sharon Williston-Benadum, A Girl & A Gun Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, USCCA Certified Instructor and Image Based Decisional Drills Instructor through The Complete Combatant