The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-10
SHOOTING As A
SPORT FOR WOMEN
Mrs Topperwean, Greatest Of Woman
Shots, Says Every Woman should
Learn to Shoot and Gives Some
Advice
BY MKs. AID Tv)PpPERWEIN

BY MRs. AID TSlPrPERWEIN
tGrcatcst woman shot OF present day.
There lis no reason In the world
why women cannot shoot al well az
men folks
Why most women have natural
horror for firearms is perhaps for the
same reason that most OF them are
AFRAID IF bugs apd mice Why 1t
should Be SO Is q mystery, but its q
fact nevertheless.
Perhaps its because most women
are timii or perhaps its just habit.
However, contaSt with things and as
ISOLATION make many changes In ones
character and disposition. Aror In
stance, ] have seen women In cir
cuses handle snakes and mice and
rats without the least fear, and
where l live tSan Antonio. Tex most
women are 30 aecastomed to see fire-
arms about the house that they look
upon them rs necessary pieces OF
household furniture.
The love for ahootiuI can be cul-
tivated just as easy as the Gesirc to
play golf or tennis
Every women .hc aid learn to shoot
some kind OF firearms. 1t gives con-
ffdence and the satisfaction to know
that you can IL necessary defend
yourself.
How often has il happened in your
own case when you were obliged to
be alone at night In some strange
place. that you loeksd and barred all
the doors and windows, and fretted,
all through that night. What a won-
deful relief IL would have been II
you had gun or pistol with you,
knowing that You could use it il
necessary
Not only should a woman lear 10
handle firearms for self-protection.
but shooting Is the greatest of all
sports and healtful, because It takes
you out doors, aud brings you close
to nature.
There is also wonderful lot OF
satisfaction Knowing that you can
do something besides knitting, that
you can play ~ha- IS known as q
mans game.
md most woniorf very adept to
learn. The first step In learning to
handle firearms is safety nrst,
The safety rules Of shooting are
much more simple than learning the
safety rules of running an automo-
bile, and most any woman can run
an auto or Is wiling to IL she Is for
tunate enough to own enc.
Now. II you desire 10 shoot a shot
gun begin with small guage gun, a
20 guags, or better sill q little 4le
guage. which has absolutely no recoil
or kick. Have sonIs che who knows
show you how to lead and unload.
and how TO hold the gun TO your
shoulder properly. Always use the
lightest load you caa get to begin
with. Later when you have MASTER
ed the art OF looking straight down
the barrel. to point your gun quickly
and accurately. and car pun the trigger
without closing yoGr eyes, then you
can shoot larger lead or larger
gun.
However, 20 suase is plenty big
enough for most women.
a Gun club is the proper place
for you I, shoot and 1t Ia perfectly
proper for you 10 te there without
your brother or huslrlA,., IL you have
any, an you will eiways ind plenty
of courteous gentlemen most .wiliina
to help you learn the sport alluring.'.
Don't sty you can's do IT. Ehen Z
nrst began shooting, / was one OF the
few brave ones to try the clay birds
at the Gun club. Now there IRE hum
dreds OF women al.nct.ng at gun clubs
all over the country. ami am proud
to say that great many OF them de-
fest their male competitors.
Do not make tho, mistake OF khoot-
Ing too much at one time. The game
Is 80 fascinating that you are inclined
This viii tire you. make you finch.
and forever spoil ypnf chances OF be-
coming good shooter.
Another very important point II
not TO get gun Which ID too long In
the stock. All guns A. they come
from the factory are fitted with
rather long stocks. Nosi Of them are
too long and unsu:fed for the aver
age woman. A .:.o.k measuring II to
lie 4isehss is ,szksssst. scGrfstss f0fss irs0St
women. The stock should be fitted
with q soft rubber rtcoti pad.
Every woman cannot expect TO be-
come an expert, Sut l say that every
wbmai, should have an Intelligent
idea Qf firearms: she should know and
be able to pick 1p her husbands or
brothers pistol or Eln ~ moments
notice, load It It necessary, ana SHOOT
4 with some degree Of accuracy.
Ninety -Sfve PER cent u the accidents
with 0rearma haonsn simply through
'cArelesgneeE and tCnorarce. Get IA
mtliAr with guns. Maa them, and you
Will enjoy the must fascinating Of AL
outdoor exports.
They call 1r4pshrotins I'M ssport
ESo1 1S311 N