Gila Hayes - Personal Defense for Women

The ideas, principles and concepts making up this book are certainly not original with me. Training for armed self defense is a field that has been maturing since 1976 when Jeff Cooper, now deceased, opened Gunsite training academy to private citizens. I came to this study somewhat later, but did make it to Gunsite when the Colonel still came out on his ATV to see how classes were going. Though Cooper was no longer teaching then, his influence shines through the instruction of many of the leaders in firearms and tactical training today. Ive been privileged to study with many of them: John Farnam, Clint Smith, Chuck Taylor, Ken Hackathorn, Louis Awerbuck and others.

In addition to Col. Cooper, another educator leaving an indelible stamp on the armed self defense movement is Massad Ayoob. He has quantified both the methods best suited to self defense shooting as well as the aftermath of a defense shooting. I have had the superb fortune to attend his classes for many years as a student, and as his assistant when he teaches at our school, The Firearms Academy of Seattle, Inc.

My guiding light and inspiration in those early years and through today is my husband Marty Hayes. It is to him that I dedicate the following pages. An innovative thinker, Martys lifework in the field of firearms and tactical training and use of force doctrine is an interesting mix of innovation and conservatism. Without his urging and support, I would not have enjoyed the nearly two decades of writing magazine articles and two editions of my book Effective Defense.

The invitation to update and expand upon the materials Id earlier published in Effective Defense came from Krause Publications editor Dan Shideler at a most unexpected time. In early 2008, I had taken a sabbatical from magazine writing, in order to make time to get the new Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network up and running. Even so, when Shideler called to ask if Id like to do a womens armed defense book, I just couldnt resist. Trust me: without Shideler, the book you hold in your hands would not have been published. Thank you, Dan!

So many people pitched in to help illustrate this book that listing any one name opens up the danger that some will not be listed. The photographic illustrations are the work of the men behind the cameras: Grant Cunningham and Bob Jackson, without whom we would be facing dull pages of unrelieved type; Jacqueline Smith and Kathy Jackson (and several of her sons) willingly played a number of roles in varied scenarios; and folks helping out with other photos include the mom and daughter duo of Katie and Laurisa; Chris Cunningham; the Rahbani brothers; consummate bad guy Don Stahlnecker; Heath, McKenzie and Brady Gunns; Brenden Shellito, who generously opened his home to our photo crew; Tom and Diane Walls; Amy and Tycho Vosburgh; Jim Jacobe; and a goodly number of friends and students at the Firearms Academy of Seattle, Inc. who agreed to be photographed while they were training with us.

Any photos in which guns are pointed at role players use dummy guns, aluminum or plastic castings that have the general shape of a gun, or SIG Sauers excellent Airsoft pistols, of which we make extensive use. We also use the tripod and remote controls for the camera in a number of live fire illustrations, to give the reader a different view of technique or equipment than is normally available.

But enough about the process. Lets get into the topichow women can live safer lives! Thank you for your interest in this topic. It is my hope that the information in these pages can help you provide for your safety and that of your family.

Gila Hayes

January 28, 2009