~ Written by Kristina P.

Luke and I bought our first handgun and a safe during quarantine. At that time, we talked about going somewhere to shoot it but it stayed locked away and unused for years. In 2023, the kids gave Luke a membership to The Range for his birthday, thinking it might become a fun new hobby just for him. We had no idea how much that decision would reshape our lives.

My husband went to the range by himself the first time, but after that he invited me to come along so we could learn together. We began with the basics—how to hold the gun, how to load it, how to handle it safely—and before long, it became something we truly enjoyed sharing. We also realized that if we were going to have firearms in our home, our kids needed to learn proper safety and handling too, so they sporadically come with us as well. What began as a practical decision quickly turned into something much more meaningful. It became our date night. We would go shooting, then head to dinner afterward and talk about everything we were learning. We would google the questions we had and watch u-tube vides. Those evenings gave us something new to grow in together.

Then one day we saw a flier for Lady Sentinel. My husband encouraged me to go, thinking it would be a great way for me to meet other women who also enjoyed shooting. I attended that first meeting not really knowing what to expect, but I left feeling inspired. It was more than just a group—it was a community. From the very beginning, I was surrounded by incredible women who were eager to learn, eager to support one another, and eager to grow together. I would come home from each meeting talking nonstop to my husband about everything I had learned and about the amazing women I had met. I could hardly wait for the next month to come around.

During my first “Boomsticks” class, I went in with no expectation of actually shooting the shotgun. I had always been somewhat afraid of them. They are big, loud, and powerful. I was sure I couldn’t handle it and that I would hurt my shoulder. The last time I tried to shoot a shotgun, my shoulder was bruised for a week. I only wanted to learn about them. By the time the class was over, they didn’t seem nearly as scary. I understood why there are different types of ammunition and how the gun is loaded and properly held when shooting. I’m proud to say that I did shoot a “Boomstick” that night, and I came home with no bruises.

One of the biggest surprises for me has been discovering how interested I am in competition shooting. It is still a little scary and a little intimidating, but it is also exciting in a way I never expected. The first time I shot a competition, I was there simply to have fun. But as I moved through the course, I could hear my friends cheering me on like I was a rock star. In that moment, I felt seen, supported, and stronger than I believed myself to be. They saw something in me that I had not yet seen in myself, and that experience made me want to keep exploring competitions and continue building my confidence.

I have met so many amazing women through Lady Sentinel that I now call friends. Our leader, “Madam President”, Liz, has been a huge part of that experience. She has such a wealth of knowledge, but what stands out even more is how generously she shares it. She encourages each of us not only to grow in skill and confidence with firearms, but also to believe in ourselves in every area of life. Her leadership is empowering, and that spirit carries through the entire group. We ALL wanna be, wanna be like Liz!

Outside of Lady Sentinel, I take care of my family. I am a wife and a mom of three. I enjoy pretty much anything creative or crafty. I like to paint banners, bake and decorate cakes and cookies. I love cooking meals from scratch. I enjoy creating digital designs and printing them out or cricut-ing them onto projects. For most of my life, those were the spaces where I felt most confident. That is part of why this journey with Lady Sentinel has meant so much to me. It has shown me that I can step out of my comfort zone. Keep growing, keep learning, and have so much fun doing it.

Lady Sentinel is such a unique and wonderful group. It brings together women from every walk of life. From stay-at-home moms to corporate leaders, from teenagers to women in their sixties, from absolute beginners to highly skilled competition shooters. No matter where you start, this group meets you exactly where you are. You can ask any question, whether it feels basic or advanced, and you are met with respect and encouragement. I have gone from asking, “How do I load this gun?” and panicking when something jammed, to learning real skills. TAP, RACK, and PULL!

Even now, it still feels a little surreal when someone at the range sees me in my Lady Sentinel shirt and comes to ask me for help, and I am confidently able to help them. That moment says so much about the respect and reputation this group has earned. Lady Sentinel has not only taught me about shooting, it has given me confidence, community, and the courage to see myself differently. I joined expecting to learn a skill, but I found something far greater, a place where women are equipped, encouraged, and empowered to become more than they ever thought possible.