The
Arizona Women's Shooting Associates was formed with the purpose of introducing
women, family and friends to this wonderful sport.
We strive to encourage, educate and mentor women from the beginner to
the advanced in the many different disciplines of the shooting sports.
Above all, we stress safety, variety and fun.
Carol Ruh,
President
NRA Certified Instructor
Carol was basically an anti-gun lady and was frightened of guns when her husband and son wanted to go to a gun range. When she got there fear got the best of her and tears began to flow.
In 1998 she started working at Shooter’s World in Phoenix, opening a whole new world. She became an NRA Certified Instructor and Training Counselor, DPS Certified, Rifle, Pistol, Personal Protection in the Home, and Refuse To Be A Victim.
Volunteering at Ben Avery, Carol worked hard to get the women’s program off the ground, and then moved on to create the Arizona Women’s Shooting Association (AWSA).
Working hard throughout the years Carol continues studying to become a better shooter, and to pass along what she has learned. She has trained with the best:
|
She feels that every woman should have the opportunities to learn and become more confident and not depend on another for her safety and her families. “If a woman can teach another woman the importance of this sport, she will be empowered to pass this on to her children, ensuring the future of shooting sports.…the key is education”.
It is Carol’s strong conviction and commitment that keeps her vision alive in AWSA. She is always looking for new ideas to improve and expand her knowledge for the benefit of AWSA.
Even though I am a wife and mother, I have enjoyed the shooting sports for many years.
Keeping up my skills is my passion, with shooting IDPA competition and teaching with AWSA.
I am so fortunate to have my husband Brian to encourage and support, but we shoot as a team.
The shooting sports have given me a confidence I never thought I had. My personal goal would be to make women more aware of their need for personal protection.
The shooting sport itself relies on women whether they know it or not. Without their support our youth have no future. It’s time women understand their importance in supporting this sport.
I started attending AWSA events in 2005 and was hooked.
I initially sought a group to learn how to shoot handguns, since my previous experience was with rifles.
Conveniently, AWSA welcomes couples, and my husband was eager to spend quality time learning alongside me.
I grew up in the rifle discipline in a competitive environment mostly with guys who “knew it all”. When joining AWSA, I initially wanted to learn Arizona-specific information, learn good handgun habits from square one and conscientiously avoid bad habits as well as practice regularly in a more social environment with a less competitive twist. I learn something new every time I attend!
I’ve since become a certified NRA Rifle Instructor and Range Safety Officer, and am now the AWSA Secretary. Attending the events and joining the club as a member helps the club offer more events for women. Even if I can't attend them all, I know I'm contributing to supporting shooting events for women in Arizona.
I look forward to helping the club and shooting sports for women to grow in the years to come!