By Chad D. Baus

Each summer, the world's finest civilian and military marksmen and women square off for five weeks of rifle and handgun competition in a variety of formats and events right here in the Buckeye State.

This year marks the 101st running of the National Matches, for which so many shooters have embarked on an annual pilgrimage to Camp Perry, Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie near Port Clinton.

What thousands of others drive across country or fly around the world for, we are blessed as Ohioans to have literally right in our backyard.

If you enjoy the shooting sports to even the smallest degree, then there is simply no excuse for not making the short drive to the National Matches, whether you plan to go as a spectator, a volunteer, or a competitor.

NEWTOWN, Conn - The old adage, "God made men; Sam Colt made them equal," applies to women, too.

Women across the country are packing classes where they learn about all aspects of handgun ownership. One of the main reasons for attending these classes, they say, is to learn more about how to take charge of their own safety.

Carol, a thirty-something mother from Connecticut, explained her participation in a class: "My husband convinced me that it would be to my benefit to learn how to use a handgun. The experience actually opened up a whole new world for me. I'm really enjoying shooting and learning about different calibers and actions -- not to mention getting to spend more time with my husband."