Women are ‘fired up’
Training is at the shop, at the indoor shooting range on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 12:30.
The violence that erupted in July rocked the province, and many parts of the South Coast were lucky to escape unscathed. However, with most of the men on the frontlines, it was up to the women to defend the homes.
It is with this in mind that Simms Arms in Uvongo, in partnership with Wolf Security started the ‘Fired up ladies firearm training and safety’ initiative.
“The initiative encouraged women because they were coming in dribs and drabs, and we realised we should start a women’s group. We were expecting about 40 to 50 women, but more than 300 contacted us,” said Heidi Thuynsma of Simms Arms.
“Everything had to be completely changed. In two weeks, we trained with four groups of women to get them up to speed on the basics.”
Training is at the shop, at the indoor shooting range on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 12:30.
The women can purchase firearms at the gun shop and leave them there, continue to participate in training to familiarise themselves with the guns, while waiting for their gun licences.
“It’s up to the women to purchase a box of ammunition, the range officer will then assist them on how hold the gun correctly and shoot,” added Heidi.
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