Women’s gun show a big bang

CHURCHTOWN The first annual Womens Concealed Carry Holster Fashion Show in Churchtown Saturday was a well-received celebration of the Second Amendment and a showcase for women who carry guns.

Around 250 people packed the Churchtown Firehouse to eat dinner, listen to speakers and watch about a dozen models walk up to a small stage in various clothing before revealing rubber guns they were concealing. Among the models was County Clerk Holly Tanner.

Trish Cutler, who works as the pistol permit clerk in the Columbia County Clerks Office, organized the sold-out event. Were here to educate women, she said, adding that she had at first wanted to simply start a group showing women how they could conceal handguns which grew into the event.

Cutler said she had to turn away more than 40 people before the day of the event, since there was no more room in the firehouse.

Among the speakers were a few contestants of the History Channel show Top Shot, including Frank Melloni from Suffolk County.

When I look around this room, Melloni said, I dont see criminals. I dont see drug dealers. I see responsible gun owners.

Another Top Shot contestant, Gabby Franco, a Venezuela native who also modeled Saturday, said she was introduced to shooting at age 11 by her father. Franco said its important for Americans to spread support for the Second Amendment, in part because she saw how quickly gun control laws came into effect in her country.

Believe me, she said, once its gone, you wont get it back ... I feel obligated to help protect a value that needs to be preserved.

Jackie Emslie, an NRA representative started her speech by saying, Good evening, brothers and sisters of the Second Amendment.

She stressed the importance of getting trained in firearms before carrying, getting a gun that feels right for each individual and practicing skills often. We ladies, we need to join with our brothers, Emslie said.

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Women’s gun show a big bang