Helping others & success tips - Arms and the Woman

Shooting Industry, July, 2002 by Lisa Parsons-Wraith

While Shotwell has earned many rewards, she says it's more important to help others.

"I think more than winning, I like being asked to help the new shooters and share ways to get to the top quicker," she said.

She has also given back to the community by working with the Girl Scouts. She has taught them rifelry skills using paintball guns, and conducted a class related to older girls who babysit.

"I taught them how to handle 'found gun' situations when they were babysitting," Shotwell said.

Girl Scouts are advised to ask the parents for whom they babysit to unload and lock-up their guns. They are also taught the proper way to disarm a child who has found one of their parent's firearms. Shotwell said many of these girls came from "gun free" homes and their parents had never considered the idea that their daughters could run into a situation involving a firearm while babysitting.

A firearms dealer could easily set up a similar seminar for his community. It is great for customer relations and shows that your store is committed to the community.