"We're a bunch of folks that never outgrew playin' cowboy when we were ten."
Us ladies have an opportunity to educate the frightened and bust a few sterotypes the menfolk don't. I have a picture of my home club (everybdy in full gear, several with rifles or shotguns) on my desk at work. My screensaver is me at a match, in action: clothes, guns, smoke and all.
SOMEBODY is going to ask, you just know it. I don't "look like someone that would own a gun."
<we'll save just how many I have for a later conversation>
Other responses I've given:
Yes, the guns and the ammo are real.
"No, I'm not afraid, and you don't have to be, either. There are classes and special events to introduce non-shooters to firearms safety rules and let them try shooting in a carefully supervised environment. I could go with you if you are interested."
Co-workers have expressed amazment that I can fly around the country with my guns. A few have taken to calling me "Annie", some will ask after I've been gone a few days if I won anything.
The most surprising (to me, anyway) development is that when there is a firearms topic/issue/news event, there's always a someone from work that will come to me "you know about guns" - what is an assault weapon? What's a shell case? What kind of gun is in this picture?
I invite folks to come watch a match. I try to be a good ambassador for CAS and shooting sports in general. I march right into the store, restaraunt or wherever I need to stop after a match dressed cowboy. if it was legal here, I'd still have my guns on, too. I sometimes go to church dressed cowboy, cause I head straight to the match from church.
This is the most fun I've ever had in my whole life. That's what I tell 'em.