Learning What You Write: Speed City Sisters in Crime Receive Weapons Instruction

(From left, Instructor Paula Beeson, Stephen Terrell, Janis Thornton,
Janet Williams, Hawthorn Mineart, Lillie Evans & Ramona Henderson

It is not a surprise that the stories and novels of Speed City Sisters in Crime often include firearms. But what may surprise some is the lengths chapter members go to make sure their writing is authentic.

Instructor Paula Beeson of Safe Shotz

Seven members of the Speed City Chapter took a full day class on firearms last Saturday, then headed to the range to test out their new knowledge. 

Paula Beeson is a licensed firearms instructor with more than 35 years experience. She teaches classes in gun safety, shooting and hunting ethics for beginners, intermediate and experienced shooters. She taught the day-long introductory class and later supervised the range experience. 

Brigitte Kephart channeling her best James Bond

Members were taught about various types of handguns and long guns, including revolvers (single action and double action), semi-automatic pistols (including James Bond's Beretta), bolt-action rifles, lever-action rifles (think TV's "The Rifleman"), and semi-auto rifles, including an AR-15.

On the firing line: Hawthorn "Dead Eye" Mineart &
Janet  "The Kid" Williams with Paula Beeson

Paula explored every aspect of how each type of firearm worked, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each. She also covered aspects of ammunition, including differing bullets and gunpowder used in the cartridge. Paula even came up with scenarios as to how the unique features of specific guns could be used as plot points for stories involving weapons.

Ramona Henderson examines barrel of semi-auto pistol

Much of the time was spent on meticulous and repeated safety instruction. Paula was adamant about the importance of safety, covering everything from basic handling of a weapon, to safety in cleaning a gun, how to handle a gun on a firing range, and even how to safely handle a misfire.

Brigitte "Bullseye" Kephart practicing with laser gun

Before heading out to the range, Sisters in Crime writers tried their hand at laser target shooting. Everyone had a chance to practice their grips, aiming and the necessary steady trigger pull before trying live ammunition.

Brigitte Kephard getting instructions from Paula Beeson

The highlight was the trip to the nearby range, where Paula is a Board Member. The Sisters in Crime members experience with guns ranged from moderately experienced to complete novices. Each member had the opportunity to fire six shots from four handguns:  a .22 revolver ("pop"), a .22 Ruger semi-auto ("crack"); a .380 Sig Sauer semi-auto ("bang") and a booming .38 Special ("BOOM!").

Lillie "Two Gun Grandma" Evans

Even those with a hesitancy about firearms had to admit -- firing the guns was a great experience.

Janis "Big Shot" Thornton

The entire Sisters in Crime group were unanimous that the class and range experience will be tremendously useful in future writing. 

Speed City Brigitte Kephart was responsible for setting up the class.  Those attending included  Brigitte "Bullseye" Kephart,  Janet "The Kid" Williams,  Lillie "Two Gun Grandma" Evans, Janis "Big Shot" Thornton, Ramona "Babyface" Henderson, Hawthorn "Deadeye" Mineart,   and Stephen "Blind Eye" Terrell.

Anyone interested in taking an excellent firearms safety class should contact Paula Beeson at www.safeshotz.com.  
Photos by Janis Thornton & Stephen Terrell