Here is my AAR on the last presentation during NRA Days at Cabelas:
This weekend I was at Cabelas representing The Omaha Chapter of The Well Armed Woman. It was NRA days and several vendors were set up. ENGC, Take Aim and the LaVista Police were among those represented.
Towards the end of the day Sunday, a gentleman who stated he was representing the NRA came up to our table. We were curious to his topic that he was presenting: “Ladies Concealed and Carry Options”. We asked him what holsters he would be demonstrating and presenting. He gruffly told us that he wasn’t going to be discussing holsters but instead talk to the ladies about how serious it is to carry concealed. He did ask us if we would like to join in the conversation to give the ladies point of view. Of course we accepted!
It was time for the presentation. He was allotted an hour to present his information. I, along with another member sat in the back row. The presentation was held in front of the taxidermy display in the middle of the store. Prior to starting the presentation the gentleman made a comment that he was going to present and then include another training team that was there as well.
The first words out of the NRA guys mouth was, “Ladies, the statistics show that most women will be killed with their own guns”. WHAT? SMH..did I just hear that right? I knew I had heard that statistic before. HMMM..oh yeah, I remember now. It was a statistic used my MDA and Shannon Watts. Wait, but why the heck is this representative of the NRA giving this false statistic?
He listed his credentials as a retired cop. He also seemed to use the fact that he knew the now deceased owner of the gun shop “She’s a Pistol”. He stated that he was responsible for training Becky and John and getting them started in the gun business. Disrespectfully he mentioned that Becky was not prepared and that she hesitated. Even though he then stated he wasn’t there but that most likely is what happened.
He then finished off his portion with a story. He told the ladies about the time when he was in plain clothes and was held at gunpoint. I believe at one point he said his grandkids were with him. He then went on to say that normally he didn’t keep any cash in his wallet. So he then started demonstrating how he held up his hands in a motion to surrender. He then stated he said the following to the armed man. “Mister I will give you all my money and credit cards. Let me give them too you.” He then started motioning like he was getting his wallet out of his back pocket. He then stopped with his right hand on his back pocket and said with a smile, “I wasn’t carrying my wallet on my right side.” He then went on to say that he pointed his gun at the armed man and demanded that he throw his gun off to the side and he held him until police arrived. Moral of the story-Ladies…if you are threatened by an armed man, pretend you have some money in your back pocket and then grab your gun and point it right back at the armed man. Then using all your experience watching cop shows, tells the armed man to get on the ground and throw your gun to the side. Ok, so that is my take on the moral of the story.
Here is the kicker that I saved for last. He also said that he never carries a round in the chamber for this reason-if the bad guy gets the gun, I will be able to grab it back before he has a chance to chamber a round. I s**t you not! Oh I also forgot, he did state that you need at least 600 hours of training..not sure if that was over your lifetime or yearly. I better quit my day job and start training!
Now we have our second group up. Two gentlemen from Sight Picture Squeeze were called to the front. They started with their credentials. I think one was LEO and the other a Marine. My brain was still hurting from the previous presenter so some of the facts with these guys are fuzzy. All I remember is that they talked about the training they offered and how they only advertise word of mouth because they do not want to just ‘rack up the numbers’. Next topic they mentioned was about the CHP class and that anyone can punch holes on paper but that their training would make you better. Then out of nowhere, one of the men said, “Any questions”? The ladies on the audience (about 15 of them) sat there in silence. I was sitting in the back row so could not directly see anyone’s face. The women sat motionless, almost frozen in fear I would guess—just my opinion. The older gentlemen then said how many of you are experienced? I had to do it, I just couldn’t sit still and leave this group of women to feel scared and walk away with such dangerous information. I took the opportunity to stand up as soon as he acknowledged that my hand was up. I kinda just stood up and started speaking about resources for women and that firearms are just one tool in their toolbox and that education and training is key. Training from a professional and knowledgeable instructor. I spoke for about 5 minutes and then unfortunately had to leave for a family event. Now in retrospect, the 2 guys in the front had a look of fear in their eyes when I just started walking and talking to the ladies. I have a feeling they didn’t get the memo that I was asked to also speak on women’s holster options
