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Formed as a reaction to the Million Mom March in Washington, D.C., the Second Amendment Sisters organization has continued to nationally grow since its inception three years ago.

A local chapter conducted its first meeting Jan. 26.

"The Second Amendment Sisters started in 1999 in response to what the Million Mom marchers stated that made five women very, very angry," said Linda McMannis, coordinator for the Alle-Kiski group. "They said they were speaking for all women."

The Million Mom March was based on the premise of 1 million mothers advocating stricter gun ownership requirements, although McMannis said there were not 1 million mothers at the event.

McMannis said the five founders of Second Amendment Sisters came from Illinois, South Carolina, Texas, New Jersey and Florida. They met on the Internet.

The organization's purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of the Second Amendment, which is the amendment that guarantees Americans the right to bear arms.

Although the group was formed for women, men and children also can join.

Women 25 and older pay a $25 annual membership fees for, while women 24 and younger pay $15 per year.

Associate members, or men of all ages, pay $15 per year or $350 for a lifetime membership.

Women can purchase lifetime memberships for $500 or pay a $50 annual feel for a family membership, which includes husbands and children.

"We're not pushing people to use firearms, but we want to preserve that right if you chose to so that no one in the government can say you don't have that right," McMannis said.

She said she became involved with the group for a number of reasons.

As a history buff, McMannis spends a lot of time watching the History Channel and was struck by how blindly Germans followed Adolf Hitler before World War II.

"I'm just too afraid people can blindly follow someone else," she said. "You have a right to think. This is America. You have a right to think on your own."

McMannis said there are a lot of myths about guns and accidental shootings.

She said there are between 1.5 and 2.5 million lives saved every year by guns.

"Having it and showing it scares away many attackers," McMannis said. "It's a tool just like anything else you have at home. You can use it correctly or incorrectly. If a woman has a gun, you have an equalizer against crime."

She said 17 million women own guns nationwide.

As a mother, McMannis said she was interested in learning how to protect her family and looking for a way to relieve stress, so she enrolled in shooting classes.

"I wanted to do something as a family," she said. "I started shooting and I found that I liked it.

"We enjoy it together. It's a family event."

Although not a part of the National Rifle Association, the Second Amendment Sisters work alongside the organization, especially in the area of advocating gun safety and educating children.

McMannis said she hopes to see members of the Alle-Kiski group visit local schools to teach children about gun safety.

While only two women attended the group's first meeting, McMannis said she is hopeful that more people will join.

The group is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month, every other month at the Logans Ferry Sportsmen's Club in Plum.

The March meeting has been rescheduled for March 16, because Palm Sunday falls on the last Sunday of the month.

McMannis said she was alarmed by some of "the knee-jerk reactions" since the terrorism attacks on America.

"A lot of people since Sept. 11 have thought guns are the problem in our society," said McMannis.

"They have used that as a way to try to take away our rights that have been guaranteed by our forefathers in the Second Amendment. We don't want our rights to be taken away from us by emotional people who don't know the facts."

Instead of stricter regulations, she encouraged people to practice gun safety and properly supervise their children.

How to join

Call 1-877-249-5180, or log on at www.2asisters.net/pa

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