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Confident Black woman posing in power stance for blog "Own Your Space: Command Presence Anywhere."

Own Your Space: How Women Command Presence in Any Room

Presence Over Permission She didnโ€™t even realize sheโ€™d been holding her breath. Not until she was back in her car, doors locked, engine runningโ€”safe. That meeting had drained her. Not because she didnโ€™t belong, but because sheโ€™d spent the whole time convincing herself that she did. Speaking softer than she

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Networking tips for firearms instructors to grow their business.

Top Networking Tips for Firearms Instructors to Grow Your Business

If you think networking is just for guys in stuffy suits at corporate luncheons, think again. In the firearms industry, networking is where business meets badassery. Itโ€™s where you meet the people who can give you opportunities, collaborations, and connections that you didnโ€™t even know you needed. Itโ€™s also where

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Are You Prepared to Act in Self-Defense? ย 

Everything You Need to Know From an Attorneyโ€™s Perspective. By: Emma K. Wittmann, Esq.  As women and members of todayโ€™s society, we know that life can be unpredictable and there may come a time when we need to protect ourselves.  Not only should we be prepared in our training with

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3 Myths about women guns that need to die

Top 3 Myths About Women and Guns That Need to Die

Ladies, letโ€™s face itโ€”when it comes to women and firearms, the myths are endless and the stereotypes are laughable. Apparently, weโ€™re too delicate, too weak, and too feminine to own, train with, or carry a gun. And if we do carry one, we get the sideways glances, the comments like,

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If youโ€™re serious about carrying a firearm for self-defense, static target practice isnโ€™t going to cut it. Sure, itโ€™s fun to shoot perfect little holes in paper while standing perfectly still, but the real world doesnโ€™t come with stationary targets and all the time in the world to line up your sights. Confidence comes from knowing that you can respond to whatever a bad situation throws your wayโ€”whether itโ€™s movement, cover, or sheer chaos. To help you level up your skills, weโ€™ve rounded up five essential shooting drills that every armed woman should incorporate into her practice. These drills focus on accuracy, movement, and situational awarenessโ€”because letโ€™s be honest, no one is politely standing still while you defend yourself. Ready? Letโ€™s move. 1. The El Presidente Drill - designed by Colonel Jeff Cooper What it Builds: Speed, accuracy, and transitioning between targets. This classic drill is a favorite for a reason: It simulates engaging multiple attackers while emphasizing quick target acquisition. Hereโ€™s how you do it: Set up three targets in a straight line, spaced about 3 feet apart. Start with your back to the targets at 10 yards. Your gun is holstered, hands up, and facing away. On the timer (or a friend yelling โ€œgo!โ€), turn around, draw, and shoot two rounds into each targetโ€”left to right. Reload, and then shoot two more rounds into each targetโ€”right to left. Pro Tip: Focus on smooth transitions between targets, not just speed. Precision under pressure is key! 2. The Box Drill What it Builds: Movement, situational awareness, and shooting while changing positions. Real life requires movement, and the Box Drill gets you off the X. It forces you to engage targets while moving in all directions, simulating defensive scenarios where youโ€™re not standing still like a statue. Mark out a square with cones or tape, about 5 yards by 5 yards. Place a target in front of the square between the two front cones. Start at one corner of the square. On the buzzer, move to the next corner while shooting two rounds at the target. Move sideways, forward, and backwardโ€”firing two shots from each corner. Pro Tip: Keep your feet moving and your muzzle downrange. Work on keeping your shots accurate while moving, even if itโ€™s slower at first. 3. The Failure-to-Stop Drill (Mozambique Drill) What it Builds: Critical decision-making under stress. This is a lifesaving drill that teaches you to stop an immediate threat effectively. It combines precision and speed, and itโ€™s perfect for defensive shooting practice. Place a target at 7 yards with a defined head and chest zone. On the buzzer, draw and fire two shots to the chest followed by one shot to the head. Why it Works: Two shots to the chest are intended to stop the threat, but if your attacker is wearing body armor or isnโ€™t immediately stopped, the headshot is your contingency plan. Practice this to build confidence in making accurate, decisive shots. 4. Shooting from Cover Drill What it Builds: The ability to shoot effectively while protecting yourself. If youโ€™ve never practiced shooting from cover, this drill is a wake-up call. Using cover effectively could save your life, and this drill forces you to get comfortable shooting from awkward but realistic positions. Set up a barrier (like a barrel or barricade) 5-7 yards from your target. Practice shooting two to three rounds from: Standing, around the side of cover (left and right sides). Kneeling, around the side of cover. Squatting or prone (from the ground). Pro Tip: Always hug the cover without crowding itโ€”keep enough space to move and lean safely while keeping your gun out of view. 5. Low-Light Flashlight Drill What it Builds: Confidence in shooting under low-visibility conditions. Most defensive encounters happen in low light, yet few people train for it. Using a flashlight while shooting adds a new layer of complexity, but mastering it is non-negotiable if you want to be prepared. At dusk or in a dark range bay, place your target 7 yards away. Use your handheld or weapon-mounted flashlight to illuminate the target while drawing and firing two accurate shots. Practice turning the light on and off quickly to avoid giving away your position. Pro Tip: Train with both dominant and support-hand shooting while holding the flashlightโ€”you donโ€™t always get to use your strong hand in real life. Final Thoughts: Practice Like Itโ€™s Real These five shooting drills arenโ€™t just about punching holes in paper; theyโ€™re about building the real-world confidence you need to defend yourself and your loved ones. Donโ€™t just practice whatโ€™s easy or comfortableโ€”push yourself. Move, reload, adapt to low light, and shoot from unconventional positions. And when you show up at the range, donโ€™t be afraid to be the woman who sets up cones, barricades, and timers like youโ€™re prepping for a SWAT drill. Let โ€˜em stareโ€”because the confidence youโ€™re building is worth every second. Practice hard, train smart, and remember: Confidence isnโ€™t givenโ€”itโ€™s earned.

The 5 Best Shooting Drills for Building Real-World Confidence

If youโ€™re serious about carrying a firearm for self-defense, static target practice isnโ€™t going to cut it. Sure, itโ€™s fun to shoot perfect little holes in paper while standing perfectly still, but the real world doesnโ€™t come with stationary targets and all the time in the world to line up

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Concealed Carry Confidence

Concealed Carry Confidence: 5 Steps to Stop Fidgeting and Start Feeling Prepared

Letโ€™s be real: thereโ€™s nothing stealthy about constantly tugging at your shirt, checking your waistband, or walking like youโ€™ve got a stick shoved somewhere unfortunate. If youโ€™ve ever felt like everyone knows youโ€™re carryingโ€”spoiler: they donโ€™tโ€”then youโ€™re not alone. Those first few weeks (or months) of concealed carry can feel

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Mastering Firearm Selection and Safety: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering Firearm Selection and Safety: A Comprehensive Guide

Owning a firearm is a significant responsibility that demands a deep understanding of the selection process and safety measures. Whether you’re a seasoned firearm enthusiast or contemplating your first purchase, the nuances of choosing the right firearm and ensuring its safe use are paramount. In a recent exclusive webinar hosted

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Person cleaning a handgun with a cotton pad โ€“ Gun Cleaning 101: Maintain Your Firearm in the Summer Heat

Gun Cleaning 101: Maintain Your Firearm in the Summer Heat

The Importance of Proper Gun Maintenance Before we dive into the specifics of summer maintenance, it’s important to understand why gun care is essential. Keeping your firearm clean and well-maintained not only ensures optimum performance but also safeguards you and others by preventing misfires or jams. Think of it as

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The Essential Gear Every Female Gun Owner Should Have

Having a gun for home protection or other purposes has become increasingly common for women, who now make up a considerable portion of hobbyists and marksmen. To ensure that female gun owners are outfitted with the correct equipment and stay safe in the shooting range, it is important to consider

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5 concealed carry options that will set you free

Tried and true beltless carry options that wonโ€™t drop your pants.ย  Youโ€™ve finally decided to take the plunge into the world of concealed carrying, but does this mean youย  have to ditch the yoga pants and put real clothes on? Oh heck no, ainโ€™t nobody got time for that.ย ย  Thereโ€™s

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Introducing friends and family to your first pew

Introducing friends and family to your first pew

One of the most important aspects of gun ownership is safety. When you are introducing friends and family to guns, it is important to make sure that everyone is safe and knows how to handle a firearm properly. In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to introduce

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Female Gun Ownership on the Rise

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution did not specify gender. But, it was only in 1920 that women were allowed to vote, and only after that could they even consider purchasing firearms. This is just one of the many disparities between the rights of men and women.  For

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Committing to concealed carry as a lifestyle

Carrying a concealed firearm is not just about personal safetyโ€”itโ€™s a lifestyle. For many, concealed carry is about empowerment, responsibility, and commitment. Itโ€™s a decision that requires more than just getting a permitโ€”itโ€™s about adopting a mindset of preparedness, ongoing training, and understanding the laws and ethics that come with

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Kids and Firearms

Introducing your children to your firearm If this is your first gun, it will feel especially nerve-wracking to imagine showing your kids and telling them about what it means to own a firearm and how they are expected to behave around them. They may have a lot of questions about

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Physical Fitness & Self Defense

Why your life depends on it Self-defense is not just about being able to physically fight off an attacker, it’s also about having the awareness and confidence to prevent an attack from happening in the first place. That’s why physical fitness is so important when it comes to self-defense. A

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5 Reasons every woman should learn to shoot

5 Reasons why every woman should learn to shoot

And these are just the first 5… Learning to shoot is empowering. It gives you a feeling of confidence and self-reliance that you can’t get from any other activity. Here are five reasons why every woman should learn to shoot.ย  1) You never know when you might need to use

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