Showing Care the Pragmatic Way: Women’s CCW

Years ago, my wife, Mrs. Rev, thrilled my soul. She had occasion to be renewing her CCW and took a class from a well-known local instructor sans hubby. Two days later, I wandered into my favorite gun shop on my lunch break to see what was new and to say howdy to the fellas. Being the “situationally-aware urban gorilla” that I am, I immediately noticed some bubbas across the store, chewing the fat, perusing the merchandise, and nodding in my direction.  I proceeded to go to the counter and greet my friend the gun store-owner, while watching these good ol’ boys approach me on my right side. Upon closing the distance, the largest one extended his hand to me and said “put ‘er there.” I extended my hand in return and shook his hand. We exchanged names and pleasantries and he asked “are you, insert my wife’s name here’s, husband?” I proudly replied “yes.”

They all looked at each other with a knowing smile and said “she sure can shoot.” I agreed and they proceeded to tell me how they had all been “little-ladying” her in their CCW class until they got out on the range and discovered that she outshot them all. I chuckled, thinking “that’s my girl,” and thanked them for the information.

I share this anecdote with you to make a simple point. My wife enjoys shooting, is competent, effective, and comfortable. Still for years I’ve struggled to get her to carry faithfully. She likes the idea of having a gun with her. That isn’t the issue. She knows what she’s doing. That isn’t the issue either. Still she’s a little girl who wants to look a certain way and often a gun just gets in the way. Her primary gun for years has been a Kahr P9, which is relatively friendly to carry concealed, yet it often is found in our gun safe—much to my chagrin. So last year, we embarked on a mission together. Mrs. Rev agreed to purchase a new gun, one that she felt would be well-suited to never stay home. After a lot of research, gun fondling, and range sessions, she finally circled back to the familiar Kahr line of handguns and selected the dainty little P380 in solid black.  Is the .380 my preferred round for defense? Nope. However, I’d much rather her have a gun on her than one at home in the safe. This gun has proven to stay on her way more than any previous handgun, which makes me happy. The care that I have for her compels me to be pragmatic. I’d encourage you to do the same: value your significant other’s values and stop complaining that they don’t carry the G19 you bought for them. Hand her the credit card and tell her to buy whatever she won’t leave home without and then affirm her choice.

Photo courtesy of gunsamerica.com