With over five million members in the National Rifle Association women make up one of the fastest-growing groups of new gun owners who are licensed for concealed carry in states around the country. They are joining clubs, training at professional firearms schools, and making themselves skilled in protecting not only themselves and their families, but also their work places and neighborhoods. This does not include the millions of other shooters who do not necessarily carry concealed in public, including various disciplines of hunting, sport shooters (including rifle from 50 yards to 1,000 yards), pistols in multiple styles, targets from amateur to pro, shotgun clay pigeon to sporting clays, and Olympic shooting with a small-bore rifle, air rifle, air pistol and target pistol--even a running boar competition, which is a moving target competition shot with various forms of firearms. The Pennsylvania Longrifle often misquoted as the Kentucky rifle, is the symbol of American Freedom, said without apology or intended offense for those who see things otherwise.

When someone decides to carry a weapon on his or her person, that person accepts a huge responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. Willingly or unwillingly, that responsibility is there. The lawful gun owner must be concerned about the public at large, as they, as well as the bad guy, are in imminent danger once a loaded gun is brought to the ready and able to be fired ... for any reason. A cop knows this well, but is trained to deal with all variables that could cost or save a life. You, as a lawfully armed citizen, need to train and qualify as often as possible in a training course or on your own (if your state does require qualification). I am not talking about bureaucratic requirements; I am talking about morality and responsibility to protect everyone in possible danger from your shots, if fired. The bad guy won't care about innocents, so you must. Not everyone is Wild Bill Hickok, but everyone can improve their shooting skills to the outer edge of all they have if they work hard enough and smart enough with highly skilled instructors and/or mentors.