Up & Coming Weekly

in the realm of not a victim. I was an unknown, while Taylor fell into the box of victim. “It’s about how you present yourself,” said Chlebus. “If you walk with your head down or are digging in your purse, or talking on your cell phone, then you fall into the victim category. If you walk with your head up and show awareness of your surroundings, you are not as likely to be a victim.” He listened intently as Taylor told her story. “It started a few weeks ago,” she said. “This man has started calling my phone. Sometimes he is telling me what I’m wearing, and what he wants to do to me. So I know he has to be close.” Chlebus concurred. “What have you noticed? Have you seen someone in the same place a lot?” he asked. “I’m not really sure, I’m on the phone a lot or working in my planner,” she confessed. “So I haven’t noticed. I am very aware of safety when I am meeting new clients or entering empty houses. In fact, I think a lot more about those things than do my clients.” With the phone calls, Taylor decided she needed to purchase a gun. Chlebus, upon inspection of the small, very feminine gun, explained that the gun wouldn’t do much to protect her. He explained that many women are not familiar enough with guns to make a decision about what kind of gun to buy, so they listen to other people. “If you go to a Ford dealership, what do they tell you is the best car?” he asked. “A Ford! You have to go to someone who is knowledgeable about guns, and who can help you fi nd a gun that works for you. You need to try several guns to determine what you are comfortable with.” He said that the size of gun and ammunition a woman uses has to do with how much control she has over the weapons. This can be determined by hand size, length of trigger fi nger and thumbs, muscle mass and strength. “There’s no one right gun,” he said. “You have to fi nd the one that fi ts you.” And the best way to do that is to go to a range and work with a certifi ed fi rearms instructor. Chlebus, as well as McRae, discourage the idea of a spouse or signifi cant other teaching a woman to shoot. “That usually results in arguments, or the husband expects the wife to be able to handle a really big gun,” said Chlebus. “It doesn’t work.” After going through and teaching important safety techniques, such as how to ensure the gun is not loaded, the proper way to hold a weapon and different shooting stances, Chlebus took the group onto the range. For Taylor and me, Chlebus explained the basics of shooting, and then allowed us to shoot a number of different weapons until we found one that was comfortable for us. Taylor was undecided, but knows she needs to look at getting a bigger gun. I am torn between a 38 and a 9 mm. Martin learned more advanced skills, and each of us were taught to move toward and away from the aggressor while fi ring. “What you learn on most ranges is to stand still and shoot,” said Chlebus. “That isn’t reality. If someone kicks in the door of your house, you aren’t going to be in a fi ring position. You may be laying in bed or watching TV. You have to learn to shoot from a variety of positions,” he said. “Most women are victimized at their cars. You have to know how to protect yourself if you are strapped in your seat belt or if you are trying to get your child out of harm’s way. You can only do that through training.” Chlebus noted that Jim’s feels a special responsibility for the safety of the community, and goes the extra mile by offering free range time to women on Wednesdays and by offering a number of free classes. “If you have been a victim, you can take these classes Jessica Taylor, a local realtor, takes the fi rst steps to protect herself. free,” he said. “There are a number of other classes we offer that will help you protect yourself, and if you can’t come to us, we will bring the class to you, but you have to do your shooting on the range here.” For more information about the classes, contact Jim’s at 910-864-2270. See next week’s issue for more information about guns and the law. JANICE BURTON, Associate Publisher COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. Don’t Consolidate...Eliminate Eliminate your debt for less than $2,000! Contact Attorney Grant Patten To See If You Qualify. www.myharvardlawyer.com 910.960.7529 We are a Debt Relief Agency  *Lunch Buffet M-S 11-3 Closed Sunday b Fine Dining M-Th 5-10 F-Sat 5-11 Full Service Bar • Large Parties • Catering • Take Out Reservations Accepted “Exquisite Indian cuisine prepared by a world renowned chef.” 910.321.1691  WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 3401-A Raeford Rd. (Formerly Pierro’s) Next to All American Freeway 433-4351 • shalimarfaync@yahoo.com AUGUST 4-10, 2010 UCW 9 n n di a -2270. w. A i r W e o p x lr E d e C l nisi Halal Meat Vegetarian & Non-Vegeta egetarian eget ria as s *Items Change Daily! NOW OPEN ms Cha g D ily ms C ms Ch Daily! C u I e n c e

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