Women going great guns at rifle training

HUBLI: Until about three year's ago, it was mostly men who used to take part in civilian rifle training camps, conducted by the Rifle Association in the city. However, skilful handling of the gun no longer remains a men's bastion. More and more women in the city are taking part in rifle training camps, with the same vim and vigour as men.At least five of the 20 persons who attend rifle training campsheld once a month are women. Association president Shivaprasad Lakkamanahallisaid it is only in recent years that an increasing number of women are showinginterest in learning the operations of the gun. "We started rifletraining camps in the city in 2002. In the initial years, it was mostly men whounderwent the training. But later on, we saw a change in the trend with one ortwo women entering the camps. However, in the recent years, their numbers havegone up significantly and they make up 25-30 per cent of the trainees," hesaid.Two special camps held exclusively for women in the last twoyears is a testimony to the renewed interest about rifle training among women.Those who are opting for training often include women staying single in secludedhouses or whose husbands often go on business trips. They are from differentwalks of life -- doctors, lawyers, academicians, entrepreneurs andhomemakers.Rachel Prakash, who runs a nursing college in city opted for the training after she started staying alone following the death of her husband. The training has helped her in multiple ways. "My life was under threat after I started living alone. I was getting a lot of threatening calls. People were blackmailing me for money. But now I feel safe and my confidence level has gone up," she said adding that she even encouraged several of her friends to undergo the training.As many as 698 persons have undergone rifletraining since Rifle Association, Hubli-Dharwad, was formed in 2002. Of them, 72are women. One of the trainees, Suma Hiremath also won a medal in national-level10-mts pistol firing. Duration of the training is 13 days. In thefirst 12 days, trainees are taught about handling of the gun, aiming and triggeroperations in standing, kneeling and lying positions. They are alsotaught about maintenance and cleaning of different types of arms like pistol,revolver and grenades and obtaining licence. On the final day, they are taken tofiring range where 30 live 0.22 bullets are given. While they use 15 bullets forpractice in different positions, the other bullets are used for a competition ofwhich three winners are given prizes. The training is held from December toMarch.