Last month, I had the pleasure of teaching a Basics of Pistol class to three remarkable women who had never fired a gun before. As a firearms instructor, it's always exciting to guide beginners through their first shooting experience, but two of them were extraordinary.

From the moment they stepped onto the range, both women - a mother-to-be ( we will call her Sarah)and the other who was excited to be at the range( we will call her Sun) showed a remarkable eagerness to learn. Despite their initial nervousness, they quickly absorbed the fundamentals of safety, handling, and shooting technique. We started with the basics: understanding the parts of the pistol, proper stance, grip, sight alignment, and trigger control. Their attentiveness and willingness to ask questions laid a strong foundation for what was to come.

When we transitioned to live fire exercises, I was astounded by their natural aptitude. Their precision and control were exceptional for first-timers. Sun, initially a bit hesitant, found her confidence rapidly and started hitting the target with surprising consistency. Sarah, with a calm and steady hand, demonstrated remarkable accuracy right from the start.

Seeing their progress, I decided to turn the session into a friendly competition. We set up a series of targets and created a point system to see who could score the highest. The atmosphere was one of excitement and friendly rivalry as both women focused intensely on each shot.

In the end, Sarah emerged as the victor, showcasing her steady aim and calm demeanor under pressure. Her triumph was celebrated with cheers and high-fives. It was clear that all three women had not only learned a lot but had also thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

This session was a powerful reminder of why I love teaching. Watching these two women go from complete novices to confident shooters in a single session was incredibly rewarding. Their success on the range exemplifies the empowerment that comes with learning a new skill, especially one that requires discipline, focus, and respect for safety.

I look forward to seeing them again for more advanced training and competitions. Days like this reaffirm my belief that with the right guidance and attitude, anyone can excel and find empowerment in mastering new challenges.