WOMEN'S ONLY
HANDGUN PROGRAMS

Drawing on years of practical and teaching experience, The Firearms Academy of Seattle, Inc. is pleased to offer handgun programs designed just for women and taught by female instructors. Attuned to the concerns of women, we have developed a safe, comfortable environment in which to pass along self-defense handgun skills to women who are concerned about their safety and want to study armed self-defense methods.

GET STARTED RIGHT!

The core of the Firearms Academy's beginning-level handgun courses are offered in women's only classes, as well as co-ed programs. Recently, the Handgun Safety Seminar, Fundamentals of Home Defense and Concealed Carry 101 joined our Women's Only Defensive Handgun, which we've taught for years.

In addition, our Handgun Safety Seminar program makes it possible for citizens who do not own guns to participate. Please click on the links to learn more about these classes, now specially scheduled just for women who want to learn to shoot in a safe, supportive environment.

For more advanced training, please consider the women's only Defensive Handgun class. Once a year, we offer this training for women only, teaching the same skills and topics as offered in our co-ed Defensive Handgun courses. We have found, however, that not only are some of our women students more comfortable in an all-female class, they appreciate greater attention to detail, plus more in-depth description and definitions that are hallmarks of female communication styles.

WOMEN'S STUDY GROUP

Another popular program has been the Women's Study Group, inaugurated in 2003, and led by Gila Hayes, Brady Gunns, Kathy Jackson, Jennie Van Tuyl and Diane Walls. F.A.S. women graduates of the Handgun Safety Seminar (or higher level classes) are encouraged to participate in this women's only program.

Using a format that starts with an hour or two of study, discussion or instruction followed by three or four hours of supervised shooting on the range, the women's group has presented topics including concealed carry methods, personal safety concerns and decision making under stress, competitive shooting, escapes from grabs, and defenses against an armed assailant during the inaugural season. The program continued to grow through 2004, 2005 and 2009, with programs including panel discussions on a variety of women's defense issues, guest lecturers, sessions on shooting moving targets, shooting in low light conditions, obscured vision, couples' defenses, fun shooting matches, what to do when injury takes the strong hand out of action, field trips and more.

Study Group sessions in 2010 are scheduled on March 13, May 22, June 26, Sept. 25 and Nov. 13. The March 13th kick off program is open to women who are interested in learning more about holsters, and this program only, does not require the prerequisite of the Handgun Safety Seminar, as it does not include any shooting.

Cost is $20 per session and no advance registration is required. One need not attend all scheduled sessions: F.A.S. women alumni are encouraged to participate whenever their schedules allow. Plan to bring your handgun, belt holster, magazines or speedloaders, eye and ear protection and a brimmed cap. Specific details like program descriptions and equipment requirements are posted on the F.A.S. Women's Forum. To subscribe, please e-mail Gila Hayes with your name and classes you've taken at F.A.S., along with any questions you may have.

F.A.S. WOMEN'S INTERNET FORUM

In addition, we have an active F.A.S. women graduate's Internet forum on which our students discuss self-defense, guns, training and other concerns particular to the armed woman. The group is moderated by Gila Hayes. Women who have participated in a class at F.A.S. are invited to join the forum by e-mailing a request to Gila, including your name and classes you've taken at F.A.S.

Want to learn more?
Call us at 360-978-6100 or e-mail us at The Firearms Academy of Seattle, Inc. with your questions or click on the links at the left.

Women coaching women is often more comfortable for the beginner.