The regularly scheduled January meeting of the Lake Fork Chapter of The Well Armed Woman had to be postponed due to bad weather, but with coordination and determination, the meeting was rescheduled to the following Thursday. They met at their usual location, J&K’s Trigger and Bow Shooting Sports range on Farm-to-Market 154 south of Sulphur Springs. Even with the postponement, there were 19 in attendance at the January meeting.

After the shooting session and the guns were put away, everyone went inside for the meeting. The first order of business was to recognize those that earned patches and rockers. They were awarded to those having earned their next level(s) of the Winchester / NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. Many have completed the level of Distinguished Expert of the Pistol program and anxious to move to the Defensive Pistol program. These women have come a long way in a year and this program has made them confident and better shooters.

The guest speaker for the evening was Mandy Bachman representing the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA). IDPA and Steel Challenge are recognized supporters of The Well Armed Woman. Bachman is a competitive shooter and encouraged the group to get involved in some form of competitive program. Shooting competitively is not only fun but develops safe handling of your firearm, increases levels of stress put on you should you encounter a real life situation while developing an eagerness to shoot better. Bachman demonstrated the safe method of removing your gun from a holster, making a magazine change, pulling the trigger and putting the gun back in the holster… all in under 3 seconds! Many didn’t even see her drop the magazine from her gun and insert a new magazine until she demonstrated it again.

She explained that this was a learned process from practice, and not a lot of practice at any one time but short bursts of consistent practice. First, you must learn to handle your firearm; become familiar with its operation and know how it functions. Next, she encouraged everyone to dry fire when you can’t go to a range to shoot. She explained the need to use spent brass or snap caps to keep from damaging your gun during practice or storing your gun. Bachman answered questions at the end and then gathered everyone for a group picture and had IDPA patches, pencils and decals for everyone. Everyone was very excited about Bachman coming to share her knowledge and experiences.

The next meeting topic will be “Gun Cleaning and the need for Metal Protection.” With many receiving new firearms for Christmas, this is especially important in the caring of your guns. Don’t forget to bring your owner’s manual to learn the details of how to disassemble / reassemble your gun.

Mark your calendar for Feb. 2. Weather permitting, shooting will be from 4-5:30 p.m. and then we’ll go inside for the program from 6-7 p.m. Remember eye and ear protection are always required on the shooting line. Non-members are always welcome, but you must be a member before you can shoot because it is an insurance requirement. For more information contact Peggy York, Lake Fork Chapter leader at 903-473-2185.