TESTIMONIALS

It had been 20+ years since I last did any shooting and when I decided to get back into the sport I did my research. I interviewed various instructors in Reno regarding safety classes, handguns, and multi-state CCWs. Vicki won hands down. She was not only receptive to my goals but was compassionate and understanding regarding my previous knowledge and current needs. She took the time listen, no judgment, and no negative feedback about my abilities or lack thereof. We had several email and phone conversations before we actually met in one of her classes, but once we met face to face it was like meeting an old friend. She is great! I recommend her and her classes highly. Thanks for everything Vicki.

When I signed up for Vicki Kawelmacher's "Handguns 101" class, I was hopeful and apprehensive at the same time. I had a new 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P...my first handgun...and I was literally afraid of it. I had an uneducated approach to a personal weapon. My purpose for taking the class was to become familiar with my personal weapon and think of it as a friend I can count on to help protect me and my family. Vicki's class was made to order. Her thorough and professional presentation made it easy for me to become comfortable with my weapon and also gave me insights into personal safety, rules and laws. By sharing her personal experiences, she stressed the need to always be observant and aware of my surroundings. When the day ended, I was confident and comfortable with my weapon. Thanks to Vicki's encouragement and positive approach, I see my handgun with new eyes. Since that first class, I've continued my education with one-on-one lessons with Vicki and obtained my 'concealed carry permit' after taking Vicki's CCW class.

When it comes to successful training, of any kind, it's all about the instructors, and their motivations behind what and why they teach. So often, instructors are concerned more about student turnover, than student success. They read you the course material, sign a Certificate of Completion, and send you on your way, never having personally influenced your life by what they've said. Though, this may be acceptable when learning to golf, or fertilize my lawn, this is not how I wanted to learn to use a handgun. I wanted to be taught, engaged, and thoroughly tested in the safe and effective use of a handgun.

The Women's Shooting Academy provided these things, and more. In fact, I learned as much about preparing for the circumstances leading up to, and immediately following, the use of a handgun, than I did about operating the handgun itself. Yes, Vicki and her staff know their guns, and once I had completed their course, so did I, but more importantly, they were passionate about instilling a mindset of safety and awareness that went well beyond the handgun alone. I learned to safely handle and operate many different types of handguns, from revolvers to semi-automatics, just as expected. What I didn't expect were the lessons of preparedness, of which I apply to my daily life.

I believe Vicki, and her staff, have found their calling. Having endured multiple traumatic experiences in their lives, they are driven to educate and empower all who will listen.

Bad things happen to good people. This is an unfortunate fact in our society. Any one of us can be a victim of a crime that threatens our personal safety or the safety of our families. We cannot control the actions of others. But we don' t have to remain powerless either. We can choose to step out of the victim loop and take personal responsibility and accountability for our safety.

That's where Vicki and the Womens Shooting Academy comes in.

Empowerment, knowledge, awareness, confidence, and focus are all words to describe what Vicki offers to every person who wants to take personal responsibility and accountability for their safety. Vicki's life experiences, passion, and knowledge put her at the top of the list of instructors in our community. Spend five minutes talking with her and you'll know what I mean.

Words cannot adequately express my gratitude to Vicki for teaching, encouraging, and empowering me to take responsibility for my safety. Shortly after I took Vicki's introduction to handguns course I was the victim of an attempted home burglary. I can't imagine how I would have felt if I didn't have a handgun and know how to use it. Several months following that incident I took Vicki's CCW course -- another outstanding course that further empowerd me in my quest for being responsible for my safety.

Thank you, Vicki. Thank you for who you are and what you do. Thank you for your passion and your ability to inspire and empower others. You rock!

Being a fairly new resident in Nevada & coming from the east coast where gun-control does not mean being able to engage a target, the "gun-friendly" State of NV in general and Vicki Kawelmacher of The Women's Shooting Academy in particular, are a breath of fresh air!

As a professional soldier (retired) and former deployable DoD civilian, I have been exposed to firearms instruction and the use of arms all of my adult life and I can tell you that Vicki is the "real deal" when it comes to providing quality instruction on firearms safe-handling practices, basic pistol-craft and concealed carry requirements. I enrolled in a NV CCW class taught by Vicki and was greatly impressed by the depth, breadth and over-all quality of instruction provided. Her classes are professionally conducted with safety and situational awareness always foremost. Her thorough knowledge of the subject matter is apparent but not over-bearing, resulting in an open atmosphere that promotes learning by all in attendance.

I highly recommend Vicki Kawelmacher & The Women's Shooting Academy for both the novice shooter looking for entry-level instruction or the intermediate/advanced shooter looking for an instructor who is knowledgeable of and familiar with the NV concealed-carry weapon requirements.