Pistol Packin’ Mamas
Date: Jun 30, 2007 12:03 PM
http://www.savannahnow.com/node/314909
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Pistol Packin’ Mamas
Accent | Local News

ELISA PRESTON | Friday, June 29, 2007 at 12:30 am | (see
enhanced version)

When Jeanne Capozzi saw two “disreputable characters” coming
toward her on Broughton Street, she didn’t hesitate to put
her hand on the .38 caliber revolver in her purse.

“The one man was watching me, and they backed off and walked
away. Maybe it was all innocent, but I felt very
uncomfortable,” she said.

Whether Capozzi’s fear was unfounded or she knew something
bad might have happened, she said she was more confident
with a gun in her purse.

Bob Oberst, owner of Palmetto State Shooting Center said
women are more aware of the need for personal security now
than ever. He has taught a shooting course for more than 10
years, and the number of women taking the course has
steadily increased.

“When we first started teaching the course, there were maybe
one or two women each year,” Oberst said. “Now we teach the
course every month, and there are four to six women every
class, every month.”

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a
not-for-profit trade association for the shooting, hunting
and firearms industry formed in 1961, 23 percent, or
approximately 5 million, of all the target shooters in 2005
were women.

Oberst said he has seen more women ages 21 and older wanting
to learn how to shoot – and buy – a gun for self defense.

Capozzi, 64, of Savannah, began shooting about 10 years ago.
She met her best friend Mary Giachhini, 73 and also of
Savannah, about four years later through their husbands’
membership in the Forest City Gun Club.

Although both say they were hesitant when they first started
shooting, they have come to enjoy it.

They even call themselves the Pistol Packin’ Mamas.

Capozzi began shooting because her husband wanted to spend
more time together as they were getting ready to retire and
wanted his wife to be able to defend herself.

“The police do a wonderful job, but they are not with us on
a 24-hour basis,” she said.

When she began shooting, Capozzi took the Chatham County
Civilian Firearms Familiarization and Safety Course offered
by the Sheriff’s Department to learn how to handle a gun
safely.

Giacchini also began shooting because her husband wanted to
spend more time with her. Plus, he thought the activity
would be good for her safety and to learn something new.

“Women shouldn’t be intimidated,” Giacchini said. “They
shouldn’t be afraid. They can be just as good if not better
than men.”

“I don’t know if I would be comfortable to use it for self
defense,” Giachinni said. “I would be afraid (the criminal)
would snatch it and use it on me.”

Just for fun

Sarah Clemens, 43, of Okatie, S.C., shoots on a regular
basis simply because she enjoys it.

About a year ago, she began shooting with her husband to see
whether she would enjoy it or be good at it.

Clemens said her husband supported her because it was a
common interest and a way they could spend time together.

“It’s very relaxing, and it helps with hand-eye
coordination,” Clemens said. “Women should have that
choice. They can do anything men can do.”

In March, Clemens and her husband took the eight-hour course
required to apply for a concealed carry weapons license in
South Carolina. They expect to have those permits by fall.

She agrees self defense is a good reason to learn to shoot,
but said it never crossed her mind.

“I think you should always be prepared, but I would be
devastated if I was in the position to have to shoot
someone.”

A new respect

All three wives said their husbands have found a new level
of respect for them.

Shooting has become an activity they can enjoy together.
And the husbands are more confident their wives can defend
themselves, the women said.

“Practice makes perfect, and it makes me more comfortable to
know that (my wife) can shoot,” Jack Capozzi said.

It opens a new avenue of gift giving, too.

“We’ve been married more than 40 years, and I have many
beautiful pieces of jewelry,” Jeanne Capozzi said. “But
once we started shooting together, he began giving me
firearms instead. I have three guns.

“I think we need to go back to the jewelry.”
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To obtain a Concealed Carry Weapons, or CCW, permit

South Carolina

Palmetto State Shooting Center provides the CCW application,
an 8- to 10-hour training course and the written and
shooting tests necessary to obtain the permit. The
completed application is mailed by the applicant to the
State Law Enforcement Division. The SLED will then do a
background check on the applicant and mail the permit once
it is approved. In order to complete the application, the
applicant must provide a valid driver’s license, proof of
residency in South Carolina, proof of fingerprints and a $50
fee.

Georgia

Georgia requires a completed CCW application, proof of
residency, a $24 money order and $25 cash or check.
Applicants can go to a county probate court to apply for a
CCW permit. After the items are submitted, the applicant
will complete a background check and fingerprints through
the Sheriff’s department. In Chatham County, the probate
court is open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Second Amendment IS Homeland Security !