Comments for womensoutdoornews.com

Comment on Teen shooter Molly Smith argues for the Second Amendment in mock trial by Barbara Baird

Barbara Baird — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:31:58 +0000

Hi Ross, the term “shooter” does not have to come with a stigma. That’s why we use it. Molly is an athlete, and therefore, a shooter.

Comment on Teen shooter Molly Smith argues for the Second Amendment in mock trial by Ross

Ross — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:21:11 +0000

Is it just me or does “teen shooter” and “trial” in the same headline seem to send the wrong message? Maybe I’m being overly sensitive but we might call her a “teen shooting enthusiast” or something?

Comment on It’s more than a pink thang by Bill Bowers

Bill Bowers — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:29:33 +0000

I suspect the “pink thang” comes more from the male than the female side of the fence. Some men are terrified of women, or at least of women who do well at traditionally “masculine” activities such as shooting, hunting, fishing, etc. A woman who puts beaucoup rounds into the 10-ring might be threatening; dressing her, or her firearm, in pink makes her seem “cute” instead.

Contrary to appearances (because some men work very hard at disguising it), the male ego is a fragile thing indeed. Women are driving the outdoors trend, but men are dressing them in pink . . . or trying to.

Comment on Teen shooter Molly Smith argues for the Second Amendment in mock trial by Survey7

Survey7 — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:13:26 +0000

Molly, how great! we have a place for yor here in Illinois, you can argue for us in the only state without concealed carry. God Bless kid, keep up the great work

Comment on It’s more than a pink thang by Stacey Huston

Stacey Huston — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:13:02 +0000

Love seeing women stand up and bust out of the stereo types. Pink is NOT for me, but if it takes a pretty pink gun to make some women feel comfortable enough to pick it up.. then well.. that’s ok too.. it’s what is on the inside that really matters. Just don’t assume that because we are women we want pink and purple.. even as a little girl I liked brown and green

Comment on Teen shooter Molly Smith argues for the Second Amendment in mock trial by thephotoguy

thephotoguy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:55:28 +0000

Congrats Molly.

I’m glad to see new and young shooters that clearly understand the constitution and the 2nd amend. Just curious, why do you prefer a revolver instead of a semi-auto?

Keep up the great work!

Comment on Teen shooter Molly Smith argues for the Second Amendment in mock trial by Stacey Huston

Stacey Huston — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:50:25 +0000

Good job Girl!

Comment on It’s more than a pink thang by Barbara Baird

Barbara Baird — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:47:13 +0000

And again, you illustrate the point that first comes the gear and then, hmmm, what color a) works and b) would I prefer? Well stated, Katherine!

Comment on It’s more than a pink thang by Barbara Baird

Barbara Baird — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:46:07 +0000

First, my friend, you make me laugh out loud and then, because I have been in a few tight spots (namely cave crawlspaces) with you, I know that you speak the truth, and on behalf of thousands of women. Thanks, Jo.

Comment on It’s more than a pink thang by Jo Schaper

Jo Schaper — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:41:22 +0000

Oh, my. I thought prom camo was only in the mind of Brad Paisley. Satin camo. The concept snarls my brain. Satin camo sheets. Oh my.

I am convinced (since psychological studies have shown that pink is a passivating color) that the whole pink outdoors movement (like the hot pink Mattel Barbie movement) is actually directed at men, who are doing it to soothe their own fears about women with guns. Men with guns= testosterone supremacy, therefore women with pink guns has to have something to do female potency, too.

They just don’t get it. They don’t realize the whole pink outdoors thing (which is admittedly sexist but effective marketing) plays on three levels: men who buy their women pink stuff, women who are seriously worried about their femininity and have to shout it out at every opportunity (they probably would also go for hunting tiaras, having been raised believing they were princesses) and those women made of sterner stuff, who think the whole pink thing is a hoot, but buy in anyway just for the shock value.. At a recent park naturalist conference scholarship auction, pink mini-Leatherman tools routinely brought $15 to $30 more than any other color, being bid over by all three types: both estrogen-rich and amazon women, and guys who wanted them for their girlfriends. It all just repels me because the color thing is so shallow.

While it certainly is entertaining, Barb is correct in that the whole think pink thing misses the point: I’ve been in male dominated circles my whole life: geology, hands on printing, caving and outdoor writing. I’d rather be accepted as “one of the guys” rather than stick out as the loony with the pink rock pick (all rock pics are blue, wood grain or black), or the girl with the pink Maglight. I can’t imagine being the girl with the pink gun, or even wanting to be.

I’d rather be the person with the tightest pattern on the target. How do we get people to move beyond their marketing silliness, when so many stick so tightly to being so manipulated? (pun intended.)

To paraphrase Sylvia Plath in The Bell Jar: I’d rather be the arrow than the place the arrow launches from.