Greetings!
You may have noticed a difference in this issue of the Sharpshooter. We have changed the color to something we’ve been seeing more of in recent years at our clubs and ranges. Those flashes of pink are from the women who are bringing brightness and vitality to our community.
Women are a very influential group in the United States from many perspectives: economic, cultural, and political. Another thing, women take action and give voice to many issues that we are facing. You want women to be on your side, to be talking about, supporting, and advocating for you and your causes. This is why it is so exciting to see women discovering the fun, fellowship, and freedom that comes from responsible gun ownership.
I think back to my dear friend, Suzi Rouse, and how she saw that women needed to be participating in the shooting sports. For over 25 years she has championed that, training over 9000 women and youth so they know how to safely handle a firearm through the women’s division at OKCGC and the NRA’s Women on Target program.
Even though many women are discovering our community, it is still a small percentage of what it could be. There are women’s groups out there concerned and advocating against gun violence, but not understanding that there is a separation of gun from violence. My friend and fellow NRA board member, Amanda Suffecool, is also part of the leadership with Women for Gun Rights, that helps women and state lawmakers understand that we can be safer through education and not legislation.
There are also groups of women experiencing community throughout our gun clubs, with NRA training programs like Women on Target, or with other organizations focused on community and skill building. I can’t forget the Oklahoma Rifle Association women that are competing and winning first, second, third places in international, national, and regional competitions.
To help us learn more about a few of these amazing women groups across the state, we are filling this issue of the Sharpshooter with their stories. Reach out, support, and tell the women in your circles about the fun, fellowship, and freedom that is in our firearm communities.

