Teen Mom in Oklahoma Shoots Armed Intruder and Protects her Baby!

Here is a “Guns Save Lives” story from Oklahoma that I pulled out of the vault.  Sarah McKinley, an 18 year old widow and mother of a 3 month old baby shot and killed an intruder on New Year’s Eve 2011.

The bad guy was trying to get into her house for several minutes and then started to break down the door.  This young mother put her baby down in the bedroom with a bottle, grabbed her shotgun and pistol, and called 911.  While she was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher the criminal busted through the door and came after this young mother armed with a knife.  She acted quickly and fatally  shot the scumbag.  Oh and he had a friend waiting outside that was forced to run away but was eventually caught by the police.

Sarah MacKinley told reporters the following about her experience.

“I wouldn’t have done it, but it was my son,” McKinley told ABC News Oklahoma City affiliate KOCO. “It’s not an easy decision to make, but it was either going to be him or my son. And it wasn’t going to be my son. There’s nothing more dangerous than a woman with a child.”

This mom deserves big props for having the right protective mindset and taking action to protect her child.  I bet bad guys in that area will think twice about knocking on her door after hearing this story.

You can read the full article here.

To Your Surviving and Thriving,

MaryAnne Morcos, The Urban Survival Chick

What Jacket does The Urban Survival Chick wear out on the Range??

There is a saying that gun training community lives by and it goes like this, “If it Ain’t Rainin’ it Ain’t Trainin’.”  That means when you go out to the range for a firearms class you don’t just quit because there is a little drizzle.  You train rain or shine.

That being said you will need a good jacket to keep you warm and dry out there on the range.

My favorite jacket to wear out on the range is my Condor Phantom Soft Shell Jacket.

I got this one from my friends at Falcon Operations Group years ago and I wear it everywhere now.  In fact I love it soooo much that I got it in black because I like to color coordinate my outfits.  What can I say, an Urban Survival Chick’s got to accessorize.

This Condor Jacket is not only comfortable but it has a “Breathable Shell Technology” that keeps you dry and circulates body heat. It comes in olive drab, tan, black, navy, and foliage.  As a bonus it is super easy to clean.  Just put it in the washing machine inside out on low temperature, and tumble dry on low. I am all about making life simple.

Here are some of the jacket’s cool specifications straight from Condor’s website:

– Vertical chest pocket
– Two hand pockets
– Two sleeve pockets
– Two 4″ x 4″ shoulder patch panels
– Two internal pockets
– Full front double zipper
– Underarm vent zipper
– Double layer reinforced forearm
– Drawstring waistband
– Adjustable wrist cuff
– Full front YKK zipper with double zipper pull

You can do some more research on the jacket here: www.condooroutdor.com.

Hope this tip on range attire helps you find the right gear to keep you performing at the shooting range in style!

To Your Surviving and Thriving,

MaryAnne Morcos, The Urban Survival Chick

Female Firearms Training Advice!

      One of the questions I often get asked by women is “MaryAnne, as a woman can I really handle a gun?  Can I learn to shoot a firearm just as good as my husband?

     The answer is……..Absolutely YES.  Many women have the misconception that they are not strong enough physically to shoot or handle a gun, or that home defense and protecting the family is the man’s job.  That is ridiculous.  When was the last time you spent every waking hour with your husband, boyfriend, or father?  How many single mothers or single females are out there living on their own?  What about when you send your daughters off to college?  Will daddy or mommy be there to protect them?  No. You only have yourself to count on in any given moment. Besides what man wouldn’t think their woman is sexy when she can have his back in a dangerous situation? 

Here is a video of me shooting steel targets on the range at 25 yards with my Glock 19.

       As you can see I like to have fun on the range.  I wasn’t able to shoot like that overnight.  When you have a good mentor that can teach you how to shoot the right way you will have a great time at the range too.

       Women ask me “Will I be strong enough to shoot the gun well?”  YES!!!!   When I train with my firearms my training runs anywhere from 8 to 48 hours.  I spend a lot of time standing, running, changing positions, doing drills on the move in awkward positions, and at times under extreme weather conditions like very hot and dry desert climates.  It doesn’t matter what size you are or how old you are, I can teach you how to use your body effectively to properly hold the firearm and handlee the recoil.  You must learn to use your body the right way to maximize your efficiency and conserve energy so you can shoot over several hours or days with frequent rest breaks of course.  Your body and eyes naturally fatigue after a few seconds of consistent practice.  Besides, if you ever have to face a threat, and I pray that day never comes, chances are the gun fight will only last a few seconds and with adrenaline pumping through your body I know you will summons the strength to fire off a couple of effective rounds to stop your attacker. 

          More and more females are entering and dominating the fields of competitive shooting.  The percentage of women in law enforcement and the military is increasing. Women are also being portrayed in television and film as lead action heroines that know how to fight and shoot.  So gone are the days of Susie homemaker stay at home mom that bakes pies all day and wears an apron. 

          The new face of today’s woman is prepared for battle and can handle herself in dangerous situations.  Besides most of my students have been female and they are better shots than men on their first time at the range.  Women are great students and don’t have anything to prove to anyone but themselves. Of course men are allowed to train too if they are up for it.  Most of the time men are worried about being the best and fastest and I don’t have time to babysit their egos.  If they are teachable and open minded they are certainly welcome to a co-ed firearms class and certainly to my seminars and workshops. 

I believe “A family that trains together, shoots together, and prays together…. stays together”.

Click here to see a list of my upcoming Training Events.

          So ladies, as sisters in arms we must get trained and support each other.  If you have a personal experience where you used a firearm to defend yourself or any questions about firearms training share them here.  I hope to see you on the range someday soon.

To Your Surviving and Thriving,

MaryAnne Morcos, The Urban Survival Chick

Happy Birthday to the Urban Survival Chick!

Some people believe birthdays are a great time to reflect on what you have accomplished and celebrate your life.  I say they are just another excuse to get out to the shooting range and have some fun.

I don’t throw big parties or soirees for my birthday because that is not important to me, but it is nice to see the people closest to me go a little out of there way to do something special on my birthday.  My man Jorge hit the jackpot and gave me one of the best gifts in the world.  He took me on a little trip down memory lane.  Check out the graphic he created celebrating my 35th birthday and our relationship.

From the salsa floors to the shooting range we have done everything together.  Oh yes I do have a sentimental side and I remember the exact moment when we were dancing in this picture.  I cherish those early days.  I also cherish the days we spend now at the firing range doing our tactical training, getting dirty outdoors, and working two man team drills!  Our survival and tactical training has made our relationship stronger.  I know he has my back, and he knows he can count on me to stand beside him if someone threatens our family.

Men if you are an avid shooter convince your ladies to go to the range with you.  Ladies, if you still haven’t experienced a day at the range learning firearms safety and shooting fundamentals you must get some training ASAP!

If you would like to find out more about my upcoming Firearms training courses click here!

Whatever you do, get some good quality firearms education and keep up your training on a regular basis.  It makes a great Birthday present. Trust me I know!

To Your Surviving and Thriving,

MaryAnne Morcos, The Urban Survival Chick