"A Girl and a Gun" and steel plates is not a kitchen dilemma. Far from it.

This past Saturday 18 girls and their handguns showed up at Guthsville Rod and Gun Club in Orefield for some steel plate shooting. They shot at metal plates on posts set at various distances and in a prearranged array with a single, red colored plate post being a stop plate. The stop plate in the group has to be shot last. Hitting it before the other plates results in a score deduction.

A Girl and A Gun (AGAG Club) is a women's only organization established by women shooters for women shooters for the pistol, rifle and shotgun sports. The league, according to the organization's website (www.agirlandagunclub), is designed to take beginners to whatever skill level they wish to achieve. Its objective is to improve skill levels for target and/or competitive shooting, and for self-defense training. It has chapters from Maine to Washington State and this is the first chapter in the Lehigh Valley area.

The weekend clinic was co-sponsored by Wiley X sunglasses and led by Lehigh Valley Chapter Facilitator, Melanie Totenbeir of South Whitehall Township.

Since this was the organization's first year anniversary in the Lehigh Valley, Totenbeir offered this instructional clinic to all girls from the Lehigh Valley and New Jersey. After shooting paper targets, Totenbeir thought steel plates would be more interesting and exciting for lady shooters, most of whom have had some shooting experience and know the safety aspects of gun handling and shooting.

The hot range was run by Dave Snyder of Allentown and Eric Serfass of Emmaus, who gave a review of safety rules, steel plate shooting and some tips on timed shooting of the plates.

Of special significance was the participation of a blind shooter from Texas who took a bus from New York City, where she was visiting, to shoot the plates for the first time.

Melissa Resnick is totally blind but it doesn't hamper her desire. Resnick explained that she is working on a PhD degree in biomedical infometrics, but enjoys shooting despite her handicap.

The 49-year old was eager to shoot the plates because, unlike paper targets, "Even though I can't see them, I can hear the plink sound when hitting the steel plate targets," she said.

For the shoot, Resnick borrowed a 9mm pistol from Totenbeir. Much to the surprise of the other girls waiting their turn to shoot, Resnick's first shot pinged the plate plus the four others on that particular course. Everyone was amazed, and her guided ability gave enthusiasm and encouragement to the others.

To accomplish this, Resnick had two spotters. Serfass lined up her extended arms while April Sweeney of Allentown looked over her shoulder to establish a sight picture while offering verbal corrections to the target.

Each lady shot between 150-200 rounds over the eight-stage course, with one girl toting a six shot, snub nose .38/.357 revolver, a handgun that is tough to shoot accurately at longer ranges because of its short barrel length.

To get more details on A Girl and A Gun call Totenbeir at 267-210-7256 or check the website.

"New shooters are always welcome," said Totenbier.