Another line of defense: Women see guns, concealed carry permits as an added layer to personal safety

Gun control has been a hot national issue in the past several months, and in Southeast Missouri, it's spurred more interest in handguns and concealed carry weapon endorsements -- and that includes many women.

Jason McBride, owner of River City Firearms in Cape Girardeau and a certified law enforcement firearms instructor, has held about 30 CCW classes in the past year with more than 200 students. Women make up about one-third to half of each class, he says.

"Since all the gun control talk started a couple months ago, business really picked up. There are a lot of people who are not 'gun people,' so to speak, but they're coming out and getting familiar with them and getting their CCW permits," says McBride. "One of the biggest (reasons) is personal safety and protection ... a lot of women see a concealed weapon as a good way protect themselves."

This was the case for Laura Ritter of Cape Girardeau. As a real estate agent, she's constantly meeting with strangers to show property and rental units -- a situation that could become dangerous for a woman working solo.

"I realize that I live in a world where danger is present. I want to be proactive in being able to take care of myself," she says. "My first line of defense is to not place myself in a dangerous situation. I want to know who I'm meeting and where I'm going. So I avoid dangerous situations, but I've also chosen to be proactive -- that's why I've used my rights in the U.S. Constitution to bear arms. It's given me peace of mind."

Ritter was surprised to find that about half the students in her concealed carry course were women. Since she completed the course, she's had several girlfriends express interest in doing the same.

"In the past, men were always the ones who went hunting and were used to being around guns. I think more women are taking the option to empower themselves and take responsibility for their own safety," says Ritter.

River City Firearms offers courses in Missouri concealed carry, basic pistol shooting, and intermediate and advanced defensive pistol shooting.

They even have a women-only course in basic pistol shooting led by female instructor Kelly Miller, who can also work with students one-on-one. McBride encourages students to take the basic pistol shooting course before CCW, but it's not required.

"We start with the 'meat and potatoes' of how a gun works, how the ammunition is made, and a lot of safety and shooting fundamentals," he says of the basic course. "CCW covers everything from the legal aspects as far as where you can carry a gun and where it's prohibited ... and choosing the right firearm for yourself. A gun that's good for me may not be good for you as far as comfort, size and recoil."

Many students come to River City having never shot or even touched a gun before, and that's OK, says McBride -- there's no need to be intimidated.

"We have a lot of women come through, and they all wind up doing well," he says.

In fact, one of his best shooters so far has been a 22-year-old female college student.

Ritter had no gun experience until a few months ago, and neither had Patty Matthews, who also completed a concealed carry course recently.

"I went into it not knowing if I would even get a gun or carry a gun," she says. "The class took that intimidation away."

Matthews says she has been in several situations where men approached her and did not back off when she asked them to. Fortunately, in each case she was able to make it safely to her destination, but she finally decided it was time to step up her personal safety.

In addition to learning the basics of handling and shooting a gun, Matthews learned all about gun and concealed carry laws, like knowing when it's OK and not OK to shoot, and where gun owners can and cannot carry their gun.

"That was a huge deal; it was overwhelming to me. You would have to make sure you know what you're doing. Your liability as a gun owner is huge," says Matthews. "You are responsible for every bullet fired from that gun."

For other women, Matthews and Ritter say to do only what you feel comfortable with -- but don't be intimidated, either. Since completing her CCW class, Ritter has spent additional time practicing with experienced friends to become more comfortable shooting and handling different firearms.

"I definitely encourage other women to consider this option for their own safety, their own security," she says. "I feel more secure knowing that I can take care of myself ... and defend myself if it came to that moment where I was directly threatened in my home or my work profession."