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"Women take to the shooting range

By Carolina Amengual
The Daily News

Published April 23, 2006

TEXAS CITY — Susan Renken no longer shakes when she loads her 9-mm pistol or her .45-caliber semiautomatic gun.

Standing recently at one of the shooting stations at the Texas City Municipal Shooting Range, she held a gun with a firm grip, focused, aimed at the target and, without hesitating, pulled the trigger.

“If you had a bad day or it’s been a bad week, it’s a good stress reliever,� Renken said. “It’s very rewarding when you look at your target and you see daylight through it.�

For Renken, it’s also comforting to know what to do in a life-threatening situation.

“I know what to do if somebody breaks into my house,� she said.

Renken has become a familiar face at the shooting range. In the last two years, she has taken the ladies’ pistol class three times, and she’s ready to sign up for yet another class.

“You pick up different things,� she said. “It’s still a learning process every time you come.�

Next Sunday, the range will shut down for two hours to accommodate the needs of female students. The class is a safe haven for first-timers and women who prefer to try their shooting skills when guys are not around. Ladies only. No interference.

“I like to come out here and not have the competition of the men,� Renken said. “Men bring louder pistols. It’s a different attitude.�

Taught by Texas City police officer Kenneth Brown, the class teaches women all the rules they need to know to handle a pistol, including how to hold the gun, how to load it, what to do if it jams and even how to clean it. The main goal is safety.

“We do a lot of one-on-one,� Renken said. “It’s relaxed.�

Still, Renken doesn’t wait for a ladies’ pistol class to be offered to shoot a few rounds. She has gained enough confidence to show up at the range whenever she’s got spare time.

Assistant rangemaster Travis Shipley said the class gives women the tools they need to know they, too, can do it and empowers them to return by themselves at a later date.

“A lot of our women shoot better than our men,� Shipley said. “We have some who are naturals.�

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What: Ladies’ Pistol Class.

When: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 30.

Where: Texas City Municipal Shooting Range, 4000 Bay St., Texas City.

Cost: $10 plus tax.

Information: Call (409) 948-4291 or go to http://www.texas-city-tx.org/ShootingRange.htm.

Details: Eye and ear protection will be provided. Class participants must bring their own weapon and ammunition box."