Georgia Southern students and community members had the opportunity to learn the basics of firearm safety during a women’s firearms fundamentals class designed to make beginners feel more comfortable in an often intimidating environment.

The class took place at the Shooting Sports Education Center and covered a range of introductory topics, including universal safety rules, gun safety, sighted fire, sight alignment, revolvers, trigger control, proper grip, different firearms, semi-automatic weapons, and gun parts such as double-action and single-action mechanisms. In addition to the classroom instruction, the course included individualized guidance, with the instructor working one-on-one with participants to make sure they were holding each firearm correctly and becoming more comfortable with the fundamentals.

Participants were also introduced to several firearms, including the Glock 19, 9 millimeters, M&P Compact, P328 and M&P Compact .22. Throughout the session, the instructor also went around to make sure each participant was holding the firearm properly.

For some students, the class was not just about learning technical skills, but also about building confidence. For some students, the class was not just about learning technical skills, but also about overcoming anxiety and gaining confidence through instruction that emphasized patience, safety and support.

Rather than assuming participants already had experience, the course created space for beginners to ask questions and learn at their own pace. That approach made the class feel more approachable for those who may have felt nervous or unsure about being in that environment. The hands-on guidance also helped reinforce what was being taught, giving participants the chance to practice while receiving direct feedback. In that way, the class served as both an educational experience and a confidence-building one for women who wanted a more comfortable introduction to firearm safety.

Amelia Taylor, a freshman in her second semester at Georgia Southern, attended the event because she wanted to become more comfortable around firearms after years of anxiety. Taylor explained that after her father passed away, he left guns to her mother, which made learning about firearm safety feel more important for her family. She said she wanted to take what she learned in the class and continue learning with her mother back home.

“Yeah, I highly recommend taking this course, especially the beginner course if you’re having anxieties about guns,” Taylor said. Her experience reflected how the course served as a supportive introduction for people who may feel nervous or uncertain about firearms.

The course was led by Camden White, a Georgia Southern junior majoring in communications who has worked at the range for about two and a half years. White said the purpose of the all-women’s course is to make the experience more approachable for those who may not otherwise sign up.

He explained, “I think it’s a good way to kind of outreach to women who may think, oh, well, I don’t want to come to the gun range, but they see, oh, women’s firearms fundamental class. That’s perfect. I want to take that one.” His comments emphasized the course’s role in creating a welcoming environment where women can learn alongside others with similar concerns and questions.

Although the course description stated that it would be led by a female instructor, White explained that staffing shortages led to the change. Even so, attendees responded positively to the class and the instruction they received. Taylor noted that the instructor was “welcoming and very informative,” reinforcing the idea that the course still succeeded in making participants feel at ease.

Overall, the women’s firearms class provided participants with both practical safety knowledge and a sense of reassurance. By focusing on education, proper handling and a welcoming atmosphere, the program gave beginners a place to ask questions, learn responsibly and grow more confident.