This is What Gave Samm Adams the Confidence to Conceal Carry

Let's be real: I never saw myself as a "gun person." In fact, just the idea of shooting a gun used to scare the crap out of me. That is until I found Heartland Gun Club & Range. That's when everything changed.

Let's rewind a year and talk about when I pulled the trigger to get my permit to carry. My husband wanted to bring a gun on our camping trips for safety. Let's just say he had stumbled upon one bear, and that was enough for him. So, he talked with me about it and encouraged me to join him.

Seeing as we are also realtors and often show houses alone, that was just an additional reason to get my permit - for my own protection. You hear those realtor horror stories far too frequently.

So, I bit the bullet and went with him to a class. I promise I won't be using puns this whole blog. ;) Unfortunately, I didn't get to take my permit to carry class with Heartland. I started regretting signing up for the class, not going to lie, and even talking myself out of carrying as the lesson went on. I think I was just very overwhelmed.

I made jokes during the class about how I'm not a gun person and I would rather just take the guy out with a roundhouse-kick. The instructor's response actually struck a chord: "If they're close enough for you to kick them, it's too late." I knew I needed to familiarize myself with guns and take the fear out of shooting, but even just taking the step to go to a gun range was intense.

But, that intense feeling quickly lifted when I walked into Heartland. The team was patient, helpful, and so incredibly kind. They helped tremendously, by not only teaching me the technicalities of handling a gun but also the importance of gun safety. And let me tell you, those first few shots? They were anything but steady. I was so nervous. I didn't even complete a full round.

Fast forward a few minutes and with their expert guidance and unwavering support, I gradually found my footing. I'm even a better shooter than my husband now! It might sound corny, but it's true: I wouldn't be the confident, capable shooter I am today without them.

If you're like me—hesitant, unsure, but eager to learn—I wholeheartedly recommend Heartland Gun Club and Range. They'll not only teach you to shoot straight but also instill a newfound sense of confidence that you never knew was within reach.

Heartland offers SO many classes and has:

• Women's Only Basic Pistol Training for Beginners
• USPSA Competition Style Shooting EVERY Thursday
• Permit to Carry Class - Concealed Carry and Renewal Class
• Defensive Shooting Fundamentals

Learn more or register for a class by clicking here.