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Empowering Women Through Personal Safety: Lessons from Amara Barnes and Julia Valencia

In a world where personal safety is a growing concern, especially for women, situational awareness and preparedness are key. While law enforcement plays a crucial role in maintaining safety, it’s equally essential for individuals to take charge of their well-being. In this article, we delve into empowering women through personal safety and self-defense, drawing insights from a law enforcement expert Julia Valencia who has dedicated her life to keeping others safe.

The Role of Firearms Training

Firearms training can be a game-changer when it comes to personal safety. It’s not about becoming a sharpshooter; it’s about gaining confidence and competence in handling firearms. Julia notes, “When you pick up your pistol, you don’t think twice, just like when you pick up your fork, you don’t think twice.” Building this level of comfort can make all the difference in critical situations.

Setting Boundaries and Assertiveness

Women often face challenges in setting boundaries, especially in situations where they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Learning to be assertive is a powerful tool for personal safety. Julia emphasizes the importance of assertiveness, stating, “I’m okay with setting aside empathy to protect myself or somebody else.” It’s a vital skill that can help women protect their personal space and well-being.

Law Enforcement’s Role vs. Individual Responsibility

While law enforcement is critical in responding to threats and emergencies, personal safety ultimately rests on individual responsibility. Amara and Julia highlight this point by sharing personal experiences and insights from a law enforcement perspective. It’s essential to understand that there is more required than relying solely on first responders.

The Need for Empowerment

Society often fosters complacency when it comes to personal safety. However, empowerment is the key to changing this narrative. Amara and Julia stress that empowerment is about taking control of one’s safety and well-being. It’s about recognizing that personal safety is a fundamental right everyone deserves.

Expanding Reach and Training

The future holds exciting plans for expanding personal safety training and awareness. Initiatives are underway to reach a broader audience and equip more women with the tools they need to stay safe. If you want to get involved or seek out self-defense resources, explore the Women Gun Owners Association of America (WGOAA). You may also contact Julia at Raider Tactical for information on her  upcoming courses.

Conclusion

In a world where personal safety is paramount, women must embrace empowerment and preparedness. By taking control of their safety, learning self-defense, and setting boundaries, women can navigate the challenges they may encounter. The lessons and insights from our law enforcement experts, Amara and Julia Valencia, shed light on the path to empowerment and the importance of being proactive regarding personal safety.

Empower yourself by exploring self-defense training programs and resources. Visit the Women Gun Owners Association of America (WGOAA) to find valuable tools, training opportunities, and a supportive community dedicated to personal safety and empowerment.

Amara Barnes

Amara Barnes is the founder and CEO of Women Gun Owners Association of America (WGOAA). Her passion for helping other women learn the skills, abilities, and gain the confidence they need to handle, carry, and shoot any type of firearm is what inspires her everyday.

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If you’re serious about carrying a firearm for self-defense, static target practice isn’t going to cut it. Sure, it’s fun to shoot perfect little holes in paper while standing perfectly still, but the real world doesn’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 way—whether it’s movement, cover, or sheer chaos. To help you level up your skills, we’ve rounded up five essential shooting drills that every armed woman should incorporate into her practice. These drills focus on accuracy, movement, and situational awareness—because let’s be honest, no one is politely standing still while you defend yourself. Ready? Let’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. Here’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 “go!”), turn around, draw, and shoot two rounds into each target—left to right. Reload, and then shoot two more rounds into each target—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 you’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 backward—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 it’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 it’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 isn’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 you’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 it—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 flashlight—you don’t always get to use your strong hand in real life. Final Thoughts: Practice Like It’s Real These five shooting drills aren’t just about punching holes in paper; they’re about building the real-world confidence you need to defend yourself and your loved ones. Don’t just practice what’s easy or comfortable—push yourself. Move, reload, adapt to low light, and shoot from unconventional positions. And when you show up at the range, don’t be afraid to be the woman who sets up cones, barricades, and timers like you’re prepping for a SWAT drill. Let ‘em stare—because the confidence you’re building is worth every second. Practice hard, train smart, and remember: Confidence isn’t given—it’s earned.

The 5 Best Shooting Drills for Building Real-World Confidence

January 22, 2025

If you’re serious about carrying a firearm for self-defense, static target practice isn’t going to cut it. Sure, it’s fun to shoot perfect little holes in paper while standing perfectly still, but the real world doesn’t come with stationary targets and all the time in the world to line up

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