SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — The enthusiasm was high; the fear was non-existent.

Dispelling any notion that women and guns do not mix, women took over the shooting ranges at the South Berwick Rod and Gun Association all day Sunday. Participants shot pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles, both bolt action and semi-automatic.

Some got to play with the big guns, like an M-16 or a 500 magnum, and learned a healthy respect for the weapons used, all while having fun and acquiring a target or two to take home as a trophy.

In case that brings up a vision of lots of women running around a range with loaded weapons, safety was first and foremost on the minds of both instructors and participants. Before getting near a shooting range, a three-hour safety course was required, and that included everything from the nuts and bolts of many types of weapons, to how they work. It also taught the women how to act around guns, for their own safety and probably for that of the instructors.

The course, introducing women to the shooting sport, was the creation of Genie Jennings, a longtime member of the club. Per its website, the program is designed for women who have had little or no experience with firearms, or those who have not been shooting for a number of years.

“I started it about 2004,” said Jennings. “I used to be the Maine state coordinator for the Second Amendment Sisters, a group that focused on self-defense for women. When I came here, I asked if I could put on a program for women. Eventually, this course grew out of it.”

Jennings said the safety class is a long, but necessary, portion of the program.

“The majority of the women have never taken this kind of gun training,” said Jennings. “We have a favorite quote, and that it that are no accidents; there is only ignorance and negligence. If you learn the right way to do things, and there is an accident, it is because of negligence. We want to eliminate both possibilities.”

Guns can be dangerous, but knowledge is power. The safety class was taught by Robert Makowski, former law enforcement officer and an NRA class instructor. He used a dry wit to keep his audience centered on the real lessons he wanted to impart.

“Know everything about your gun before you ever use it,” said Makowski. “All guns operate differently, even though they produce the same result. Before you pick it up, read the manual, learn all the parts. Learn how to load it, unload and store it safely. Learn how to hold it on the range and off.”

Makowski said that, in his experience, 95 percent of people on a gun range have not been properly trained, making it important to be aware of not only yourself, but the people around you.

“You’ve seen those cowboys who limp,” Makowski said. “Learn not to shoot yourself.”

The women who came to the class were of various ages and all had different lessons for being there.

Hampton resident Pamela Bunn said that ever since her dad taught her how to shoot a BB gun, she has kept an interest in guns in the back of her mind.

“This is on my bucket list,” said Bunn. “I want to try the trap shooting, because I have a real interest in skeet shooting as a hobby. I came today to see if I really liked it, and if it was something I wanted to pursue.”

Using shotguns to shoot clay targets convinced her. She was natural, showing a real aptitude for destroying those biodegradable orange clay targets. After that, she was quizzing Jennings for membership information.

Sandra McCann of York, Maine, said she used to shoot 25 years ago, and in fact has several weapons in her home, where they have been tucked away for a long time.

“The way things are in the world today, I thought it might be a good time to reacquaint myself with those guns and learn about them some more,” said McCann. “I think self-defense and being ready is a smart idea.”

Keeping a gun for self-defense requires quick access to it, safe storage and the willingness to use it to act quickly. Sometimes, the shot is not actually needed.

“There is nothing more terrifying to a burglar that hearing the pump action of a rifle in the other room,” said Makowski. “Usually they are out the window before you ever have to shoot.”

Before going to the range, Makowski talked about the steps to get ready to shoot any gun. He started by teaching everyone to find their dominant eye, usually the opposite of the dominant hand. Then he discussed stance, grip, breathing, site alignment, hold control and trigger squeeze.

The women were prepared and oh-so-ready to hit the range. They were handed eye and ear protection and separated into three groups — shotgun, pistol and rifle — rotating through each station and its choices of guns after an hour of one-on-one shooting with an instructor.

The instructors had their own advice, tips and words of wisdom to impart.

If the women came away with one safety mantra — “On target, on trigger; off target, off trigger” meaning when and when not to have your finger on the trigger.

“I actually prefer teaching women,” said Kevin Garthwaite. “Men often come thinking they already know it all.”

The instructors said one mistake women make is to buy a gun before they come for training.

“Women go to a gun store and look for a small lightweight gun that can fit in their purse,” said Garthwaite. “Well, most of those have more recoil than a heavier gun and can be brutal to shoot. They can come here, try some out, get exposure to different guns and find what will work for them."