TAYLOR, Mich. – Hundreds of women from across the region gathered in Taylor this weekend for a free, two-day firearms safety course hosted by Legally Armed in Detroit — one of the largest events of its kind in the nation.
The event, held at Recoil Firearms in Taylor, drew lines wrapped around the building as women of all experience levels came to learn basic gun skills in both a classroom setting and on the range.
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“I’m a little bit nervous to be honest. I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Savannah Lorenz, a Roseville resident attending for the first time.
That feeling of nervousness is exactly what instructors hope to address.
“We want to give them the opportunity that a gun is simply a tool. No different than a fork in your kitchen or a shovel in your shed,” said instructor Candy Petticord.
Confidence on the range
For many attendees, stepping up to the firing line marked a turning point.
“Once they fire those first rounds it’s like a light bulb goes off and you can see it as an instructor when it happens and it’s a very warm and endearing feeling,” said instructor Tanisha Moner.
Detroit resident Alexis Simmons said the event filled an important need.
“I think women need to protect themselves and I think it’s just a good thing to be safe and to know how to do things correctly,” Simmons said.
Community support
Beyond the safety skills, attendees said the sense of community made the experience stand out.
“Good to see a bunch of women coming out to support each other doing the same thing, protect ourselves,” said Hayley Delpier, a Roseville resident.
Many women left the event with a boost of confidence and a desire to return to the range. Now in its 15th year, Legally Armed in Detroit hopes to continue the event for many years to come.