A few years ago, I went to one of my local gun ranges to participate in a steel match. It was summer, and at 10 a.m., the temperature was close to 100 degrees—It was a very hot day!

My first stage went well; I felt confident and was shooting accurately. However, as I prepared to move from one position to another on the second stage, I felt a sharp kick on my calf. At first, I thought the Range Officer (RO) had kicked me, and I lost my concentration as a result, leading to several missed shots at the steel plates.

Reality hit me hard when I attempted to move to the next shooting position. I realized that the RO hadn’t kicked me at all; I had torn a muscle in my calf and could barely walk.

A part of me wanted to focus on the negative aspects of my situation. I considered packing up my gear and leaving the range. I was in pain, unable to walk properly, and likely to finish last in the match. Being competitive, I felt like if I couldn’t perform well, I shouldn’t even be competing.

But then, the tough Gabby mindset kicked in. I asked myself, “Are you going to quit like a wimp without even trying?” Yes, I was in pain, but could I remain focused despite the challenge? This was an unprecedented learning experience that I could turn into a positive one. Although one leg was injured, my other leg, arms, and hands were still healthy. I could stay in the fight.

So, I completed four more stages, concentrating on the fundamentals, trying to block out the pain, and encouraging myself to do my best. Finishing last became irrelevant to me. All I wanted was to maintain my focus through that difficult situation and take satisfaction in knowing that I had given it my all.

The post Building A Strong Mindset appeared first on Gabby Franco.

Fellow citizens,

With great honor, I stand with you to support our freedoms and our country. Almost twenty years ago, I left Venezuela. I left everything and everyone I love: family, Olympic career, friends, education. Back then, I was surrounded by ideologically divided adults. The vast majority of them were too busy to pay attention to politics or even to vote, while flashy socialist ideas blinded the rest of them. Not even the high probability of participating in the 2004 Olympic Games stopped me from moving to the US. Leaving everything behind was the high price I paid to find freedom again.

In April 1999, an important election took place after Hugo Chavez won the presidency. Unfortunately, only 37% of registered voters cast their votes for a referendum. That was the beginning of the change of the constitution and the solidification of the socialist government’s power. Venezuela was a wealthy country; now, it is a crumble of misery mixed with silenced despair. Fellow Americans, hear me well: There is no such thing as a “little bit of socialism” or “some gun control.” The ultimate goal of those politicians who promote these ideas is a total transformation of our country as we know it and massive gun confiscation. Invest in the future by voting for politicians who, with actions, show they protect our freedoms.

Virginia is the perfect example of how radical the left has become. According to USA Today, Ernest McGowen, a political science professor at the University of Richmond, said in an interview that Virginians should not worry about a radical shift in policy. He was talking about Democrats regaining power in Virginia after almost 30 years. The professor said, and I quote, “They’re probably more conservative than the average Democrat in the country.” Let that sink in, “Current Democratic legislators in Virginia are probably the most conservative ones?” Listen to me well. Please do not pay the price I paid to regain freedom. Let’s vote them OUT!

I DO know the pain and frustration of gun violence. Family members and friends have been kidnapped, robbed at gunpoint, and killed in Venezuela. Criminals followed a cousin after he withdrew money from the bank; they stole the money and shot him inside his car in a traffic jam. The law did not allow my cousin or the criminals to carry firearms. Two dear female members of my family saw the front end of a gun while being robbed; one of the criminals also beat one of the women. Once again, the law prohibited them from owning firearms to protect themselves. I can go on and on for hours, but the common denominator is that gun control defenseless, and criminals know it! Some of us are lucky enough to tell the tale, but many others are not. Defend freedom, protect the Second Amendment!

Gun control does not deter crime because it reduces a criminal’s risk and makes their job easier. It further increases the criminal’s motivation to continue their violent acts.

Disarming law-abiding citizens is not the solution. Instead, let’s work to better our society by bringing back values at home and schools. Raising strong and independent adults is a long-lasting solution to the problems we face in our communities. However, politicians must constantly be reminded that “The right to own and bear arms shall not be infringed!”

Fellow Americans, let’s stay united and alert to protect and preserve our country and freedom. I have gone through hardship in the US. I have faced debt, unemployment, and divorce all at once! Yet it is precisely this wonderful country’s strong and effective system that helped me get back on my feet. ENOUGH with downplaying the greatness of this country. I am a proud Venezuelan, but you bet I am PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! No country in the world can offer such incredible opportunities. You can build greatness from nothing and inspire others even if you don’t look like them. Feel free to speak up to protect your rights, even with broken English. Talk to your neighbors, friends, family, and everyone you can. Tell them to vote for freedom because the United States of America is worth it and because the price of freedom is too high to let it slip from our hands.

Now, my friends, please repeat after me: I Love the USA!

God Bless you, and God bless America!

Speech for the Arizona Second Amendment rally on February 15th, 2020
Location: Arizona State Capitol

The post The Price of Freedom appeared first on Gabby Franco.

Do you have small hands and have issues with shooting some handguns?

Being tall or short doesn’t hinder anyone from enjoying themselves at the range while shooting various handguns. However, individuals with small hands may face some challenges.

This post is specifically for those of you who have small hands and sometimes find it challenging to select the right firearm. A “perfect” handgun doesn’t exist, as most handguns are not explicitly designed for people with smaller hands. That said, specific models, like the Walther PPQ and the Smith & Wesson M&P pistols, offer interchangeable inserts to help accommodate different hand sizes.

Are those of us with small hands limited to certain firearms? What if, like me, you love shooting and own different sizes of handguns?

For instance, I have been shooting competitively for years with a 2011 pistol known for its large frame. My current handgun is a Walther PPQ Q5 Steel Frame with a larger frame than the polymer PPQ models.

It is essential to choose a handgun that fits your personal preferences and the specific activity you plan to use it for. However, achieving the perfect balance can be challenging. To improve my skills and perform well, I take the following steps:

1. Dry fire is a must:
   While everyone needs to dry fire to get used to their guns and equipment, I dry fire almost daily to ensure I grip the pistol the same way. While someone with an average hand size might feel uncomfortable with a lousy grip, they would most likely be able to pull the trigger. In my case, a bad grip can be catastrophic because I might not reach the trigger.
   
2. Index with your trigger finger first to find the ideal grip.
   Place your finger on the trigger of your unloaded firearm, and then wrap your hand around the pistol. This technique is somewhat like a reverse grip for holding a gun. Alternatively, you can grip the handgun first, then adjust your hand position until your finger rests in the ideal trigger spot. It is important to note that when shooting a medium or large-frame firearm, the web of my hand or my trigger finger will be in the correct position, but not both at the same time. In this instance, I prefer the latter.
   
3. Do not touch the frame of the pistol.
   Touching the pistol frame means your finger is fully extended, which can prevent a comfortable and smooth movement. Instead, maintain a natural curvature to achieve a smooth trigger pull without compromising your grip too much.
   
4. Grip Strenght
   Having small hands makes it challenging to grip the pistol as firmly as I would like. To address this, I focus on training to improve my grip strength. During dry firing practice, I grip the firearm firmly with my support hand and keep my joints locked for better control.

Having small hands does not prevent you from shooting different sizes of handguns and enjoying the experience. Remember to follow these four tips:

• Dry fire to practice your aim.
• Keep your trigger finger in the optimal position.
• Avoid touching the frame with your trigger finger.
• Maintain a firm grip with your support hand and ensure your wrist is locked.

Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this video, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my channel so you won’t miss the new episode I have ready for you next month.

I would love to hear your opinion. Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

The post Shooting tips for people with Small Hands appeared first on Gabby Franco.

You spend hours watching YouTube videos of super-fast shooters and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms because you aspire to shoot in competitions as quickly as they do. The question is: “Can you shoot fast and accurately?”

Here are some tips to help you improve your performance in the shooting sport:

1. Fundamentals of Shooting
   To improve your shooting speed while maintaining accuracy, master the fundamentals and gradually increase your speed. It’s essential to recognize that if you can’t shoot accurately at a slow pace, you shouldn’t expect to shoot quickly and accurately. Speeding up and increasing your distance from the target will likely expand your shot group.
   
2. Body stance
   Your shooting stance needs to adapt based on your shooting speed. When shooting quickly, lean forward more than you usually would. Position your legs wider apart with one leg slightly back to help maintain balance.
   
3. Grip
   Shooting quickly in competitions requires a firm grip consistent while engaging multiple targets. Please pay attention to your grip and ensure your articulations are locked.
   
4. Sight picture
   Competitive shooting differs from target practice because it doesn’t demand a perfect sight picture. However, what’s considered acceptable at 5 yards varies from what’s acceptable at 25 yards. This means that at 5 yards, you can afford to be less precise and shoot more quickly; nevertheless, you should never underestimate any target.
   
5. Trigger press
   Pulling the trigger quickly and forcefully can increase your shooting speed, but it doesn’t ensure you will hit the target. It’s important to practice consistently until you can pull the trigger rapidly without compromising your aim.

Many newcomers in the sport of shooting aim to improve their speed. However, it’s essential to recognize that shooting quickly involves several factors, including gun customizations, pistol weight, and ammunition speed. This topic deserves a separate discussion in another video.

In the meantime, remember this key principle: Shoot as fast as you can regain your sight picture!

Always prioritize safety and responsibility. I hope to see you at the range next time!

The post Shoot Fast and Accurately appeared first on Gabby Franco.