There’s been some interwebs chatter about the Ammo waitresses provided by LuckyGunner.com at their 2011 Memorial Day Weekend Blogger Shoot last weekend. Since I was there, and I have lady parts, I believe I am Uniquely Qualified™ to put my two cents in about this contrived kerfuffle.
A fellow female gun blogger (who was not present at the event) recently took some shots at LuckyGunner and the ammo waitresses they provided us. Said blogger likened the young ladies to booth babes, opined that LuckyGunner created an “optics problem” by including the attractive ammo ladies as part of the event, and then speculated that these ladies are a deterrent to attracting women to the shooting sports.
Hogwash!
The only thing I’ve seen relating to this event that might discourage a woman from learning to shoot has been uninformed commentary from another blogger that couldn’t possibly have come to their conclusion if they had attended the shoot.
Since I started shooting two years ago, I’ve attended two Babes With Bullets camps and several classes and practices with HerHandgun here in Arizona, where I’ve listened to upwards of 70 ladies tell their story about how and why they started shooting. Not once have I heard a story of reluctance to learn to shoot because of good-ol-boys, booth babes or women dressed in sleeveless polo shirts and skorts. The overwhelming majority of these women cited intimidation of firearms (ranging from generalized fear to downright phobia), a lack of confidence (think the opposite of empowered) and physical issues that they thought would impede their use of a firearm.
The three ladies that assisted us with our ammo needs were no different. I overheard one of the girls say that she had never shot before, and she was considering taking the plunge. I was so glad to see that they not only took the plunge, they did it with some of the most intimidating and rare weapons around (you rock, ladies!). I can see why someone might be a bit jealous that they missed out on shooting these fine firearms, I know my shooty friends were.
The LuckyGunner ammo girls were an asset to the event and I am most appreciative of their hard work, dedication and professionalism at the Blogger Shoot. They spent the better part of two days schlepping ammo up and down hills, across the approximately 150 yard wide firing line in heat and humidity so high it should be illegal. I know I couldn’t have done it (my lawn – you. off. now.), and I am very grateful that they were there to enhance the already epic experience.
UPDATE: For another Uniquely Qualified™ perspective on this issue, take a trip over to In Jennifer’s Head, where Jennifer shares her thoughts on the ammo girls.
13 responses so far ↓
1 My Gun Culture // Jun 4, 2011 at 8:23 am
Couldn’t agree more Jacqueline! Much ado about nothing. It’s unfortunate that this event was called out as an example. Nice people doing a fine job. Nothing to see here folks…
Great to meet both of you Great Satans by the way!
2 Capitalist Pig // Jun 4, 2011 at 4:10 pm
It is sad that anyone would think that women learning to shoot is somehow bad for the cause of getting women to learn to shoot. It must have really hurt to be left out of the blog shoot fun.
It was great to meet you too.
3 SayUncle » More on the ammo girls // Jun 6, 2011 at 5:51 am
[…] Much ado about nothing. […]
4 Jennifer // Jun 6, 2011 at 6:37 am
They were very helpful and had a good time. And they learned something. Big Win!
And it was great to hang out with you guys in TN.
5 Kevin Baker // Jun 6, 2011 at 7:34 am
Well, obviously someone was offended, but I honestly think the fault lies in the person who took offense. Sometimes people can be too sensitive to perceived slights.
I’m (obviously) not female, but my observations precisely match yours.
6 Caleb // Jun 6, 2011 at 9:43 am
Well said, Jaqueline. Thanks for providing some much needed perspective on this whole situation from someone who was actually there.
7 » Chicks and guns Gun Nuts Media // Jun 6, 2011 at 9:57 am
[…] much needed perspective on the ammo waitresses at the Lucky Gunner blog shoot from someone who was actually there. Share […]
8 Joe // Jun 6, 2011 at 10:19 am
Thanks for posting this. I find it interesting that the blogger linked to above has posted a picture of herself wearing less than the ammo girls were wearing. Perhaps she should be worried about the “boys club mentality” in her own house.
9 Beaumont // Jun 6, 2011 at 5:07 pm
The thing that amazed me was the guys who said they were offended by the girls’ clothes. Uhhh, y’all — I think you have some issues.
10 Old NFO // Jun 6, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Thanks for the post! And it was nice to meet you!
11 RobertM // Jun 6, 2011 at 6:31 pm
The title pretty well sums up the whole thing.
12 Kim du Toit // Jun 8, 2011 at 6:23 am
Amen. I just wish I could have been there with y’all. People need to get over this 2000s-era PC nonsense about women.
13 Leighton // Sep 23, 2011 at 9:26 am
Seriously, of all the issues people want to complain about, THIS is it. I love the idea of having women, attractive or not; involved in shooting. It brings an element of family to our sport, improves our image, improves competitiveness and most of all, diminishes the impression this is a “mans game”!
I applaud people like Jacqueline, Sara, Kippi and others for their for their input and support.