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International Women’s Day on the shooting range

Rallies and marches were held around the world Sunday to mark International Women’s Day. In Lethbridge, the Fish and Game Association honoured women in a different way; by giving girl power fire power.

Two of those girls are thirteen year olds Sabrina and Katrina Sweetman. The girls are shooting range specialists, oblivious to the long held notion that guns are for boys.

“I think that it shouldn’t matter if you’re a girl,” said Sabrina. “And if they say you can’t do it, come down and prove them wrong.”

“A lot of women won’t come down to the range just because I think they don’t know how,” added Katrina. “Usually it’s the dad or the grandpa that shows the guys of the family how to do it.”

The idea of empowerment for women was on full display at the local shooting range on Sunday when they opened their doors to any woman wanting to wield some real firepower for free. It’s a feeling Canadian Forces vet Sara-Lynn Pelegrin is used to. She was one of four women who were speaking at the range about empowerment and how to obtain it.

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“Empowerment isn’t given to you, you have to take it,” said the Afghanistan veteran. “You have to go out and grab it and find out what it means to you. No one’s going to do that for you.”

The various disciplines of shooting in Lethbridge are popular as a sport for both genders.

“It’s a great sport,” said Lethbridge Sport Council executive director, Susan Eymann. “[It can be a] recreational sport or it can be a high performance sport. Or if it’s to come out on a beautiful day with family and friends, anyone of all ages can try it.”

And after a day that saw hundreds of women experiencing the range, there may just a few more confident, empowered ladies gunning for more.

“I think a lot of them are going to come back,” said Sabrina.

International Women’s day was held on Sunday and represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality.

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