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SIGNATURE MONTANA | 29 Aer serving more than 30 years in the military and over 27 years as a law enforcement officer, Joe Legge has learned a thing or two about guns. In fact, he's been honing his skills almost as far back as he can remember. "I grew up outside of Wolf Point, so I'd guess I've been shooting since probably 10 or 11 years old," Joe says. Joe has been a firearms instructor since 1999. He estimates he has worked with about 300 new firearm enthusiasts since opening his defense firearms training business, St. Michael's Defense, LLC, in 2017. As many as 70 percent of those who come to St. Michael's Defense in Great Falls for instruction and guidance are women. "Two years ago, 60 percent of the handguns that were sold were sold to women," Joe says. "Self-defense today is really important to a lot of women, and many of them want to learn to be able to protect themselves. It is super empowering." But it takes more than having your own gun to become a responsible and knowledgeable firearm owner. Training and education are key, as is finding the right weapon. "One of the main problems that we experience is that someone else has picked out a gun for them," Missouri River Women Shooters (MRWS) Director Traci Martin says of new shooters. "ey haven't held it or felt how it feels in their hand." "It isn't uncommon for people to get a gun and then just sit on it for two years," Joe agrees. "When they actually head out to the range and pull the trigger, many new shooters are met with a startling surprise – and we aren't just referring to the sound of gunfire," he says. "Sometimes people pick out a tiny lile gun for their wife or girlfriend, and this is one of the worst things to start with if they don't have a lot of experience due to recoil," Traci explains. "Smaller guns are 'snappy,' and this can make for a very bad first experience." at's where experts like Traci and Joe come in. "e function of the MRWS is to teach women how to safely and confidently handle firearms in a comfortable environment with the ultimate goal of being able to protect themselves with lethal means, if necessary," says Traci, who has been at the helm of the MRWS since 2019. e all-female MRWS, which currently boasts about 100 members ranging from their teens to their mid-80s, is one of three clubs that make up the Great Falls Shooting Sports Complex. "We provide education at all our monthly shoots with various topics such as geing your conceal carry permit, malfunction clearing, basic fundamentals, gun cleaning clinics, and choosing a holster," Traci says. In addition to his business, Joe is also the president of the 800-member Missouri River Shooters Association (MRSA), which is the largest of the clubs that comprise the Great Falls Shooting Sports Complex. Missouri River Women Shooters Director Traci Martin demonstrates proper grip using a replica weapon. Interest in shooting sports is on the rise.

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