Sunday, May 14, 2006
LENOIR -- Decked out in a corset, striped bloomers, black boots and a feather-tipped hat, Malinda Butson looked like she could have stepped out of a seedy tavern in the Old West.
The only modern touch in her get-up was a pair of wraparound Smith and Wesson shooting glasses Butson, you see, is a 21st century gunslinger.
In cowgirl circles, she's better known as Fannie Kickinshoot. She's one of the Carolina Belles - a Lenoir-based foursome that enjoys shooting antique six-guns almost as much as they like dressing up in vintage costumes.
Almost.
”It doesn't matter how you shoot,” said Allison Black, aka Tornado Alli. “It’s how good you look when you’re shooting.”
The Belles are a member group of the Single Action Shooting Society, an international club of Old West Enthusiasts. On Saturday, they held their first “Bust Out” cowboy action shooting match along with the Gunpowder Creek Regulators, a larger local club.
More than 100 shooters turned out to compete in the event. Cowboys and cowgirls came from as far away as Michigan and California to fire their revolvers, rifles and shotguns at metal targets.
The men wore chaps, gun belts, bowie knives and handlebar mustaches. Women carried parasols and shotguns. Smoke and the sharp scent of gunpowder filled the air.
Half of the day’s proceeds will go to Shelter Home of Caldwell County, a local shelter for abused women. It’s in keeping with the Belles’ mission of empowering women, Butson said.
Part of the purpose of Saturday’s shoot was to get more women interested in cowboy action shooting, Butson said. An instructional range was set up for first-time gunslingers, and the Belles were on hand to talk to anyone interested in cowboy culture.
Sharon R. Price competed in the event. At shooting matches, the 60-year-old Candler woman goes by the name Calamity Crickette. To her, the best part about her hobby is getting to dress up.
“The boys get to be cowboys and the girls get to be floozies and highfalutin women,” Price said. “It’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on.”
On the Net:
• www.carolinabelles.net
• www.gunpowdercreek.com
• www.sassnet.com
jyoder@hickoryrecord.com | 322-4510 x5410 or 304-6917
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