Chrysti Ane: I initially started getting into guns because, as an actress, I wanted to move more toward the action-film world. I like adrenaline - I love that adrenaline rush. I love adventures, I ride motorcycles, I shoot guns, I snowboard - I mean, act like a guy. I just like looking like a girl. I got into it in order to go that route with my acting career, and I got hooked on that adrenaline rush that gives me the most pleasure in the world. It's that, but then the discipline behind it, I think, is what kept me there. It's so much discipline, and it's a lot harder than people think it is. And that just got me addicted... and then I started competing.
Jade Struck (from previous portrait): We met on the range. She came out as an actress - one that we were teaching - and we loved her so much we were like, "Can we keep you?". She has so much potential. Especially [as an| action star.
CA: When I get into something new, I always want to be proficient at it.
GM: What do tou say to people who question the value of a private citizen owning a gun?
CA: I also understand. I respect everybody's opinion, but that doesn't mean that my own is going to change. I'm very strong in my opinions, and I will never knock down someone for believing a certain thing or thinking a certain way - that's the beauty in life, that we don't all think alike. My own personal belief is that I do feel safer with a gun.
JS: The confidence you learn on the range - it gives you more to work with in life. Even without a gun, I feel safer knowing I know how to protect myself.
CA: Also being a woman. Physically, men are stronger than women. In a situation where my life is at risk, I want to be able to know I can handle my own.
JS: It's a last line of defense, but if we can deploy it when necessary, that makes me feel safe. I don't even carry a gun, but I'm like, "Look. You don't want to mess with me." Laughs. We shouldn't have to feel like that as women. I don't want to hurt anybody... I've been in situations where I've needed to defend myself. Martial arts is one of my forms; so is knife work and guns. Gun owners don't necessarily want to deploy their weapon as a line of defense, but to have it on the back burner is really comforting.
GM: When mass shootings or school shootings happen-like the one this week—does it ever make you rethink your position?
CA: It will not change my stance. It's very unfortunate that these things are happening and that people are the way they are. I've heard this said a million times, and I'm a strong believer that it's not guns that kill people; it's people that kill people. You can basically use any object if you really wanted to get the job done. That's horrible, but people are the way people are, and people are always breaking laws. If they want to go off and do something negative with a gun, and give the gun world a bad name, that's their thing, but that's definitely [not] going to change my stance and what I believe should be.
At the time of this interview, Chrysti had been working for Taran Tactical for a few months
Tactical Playground: Hey, guys! We’re at Shot Show Day One. We’re here with Chrysti, she’s a shooter for Taran Tactical. As you guys know, they make amazing guns and everyone knows Taran. Chrysti, can you tell us about your journey in competition shooting?
Chrysti Ane: Yes. So, I started shooting matches six years ago. Then TTI, we got really, really busy. So we kinda put that on hold for a while, you know, focused on classes, focused on creating new guns. And recently I just got back into it…
TP: Congrats!
CA: So, I’m like six matches deep now. I’m going every weekend, trying my best and honestly, for me, all I wanna focus on this year is going to a match every weekend, starting to get better and better and see where that goes, honestly.
TP: When you had to take your pause, was there a lot of rush to shake off the holster?
CA: Oh my God, absolutely! Because when you’re instructing, you’re not necessarily shooting, right? So, it’s a lot of teaching, a lot of talking, but not enough actual shooting.
TP: Yeah.
CA: So, as much as dry firing helps a ton, it is different, you know, than live fire. So, yes, absolutely rusty, 100%.
TP: Now, the matches that you shoot. What governing bodies do you shoot with? Or, like, USPSA or…?
CA: USPSA so far, yes.
TP: Excellent. And then, what division are you shooting?
CA: I’m Limited.
TP: Limited.
CA: Major.
TP: Okay, alright, right on. And then so, what’s your gun that you run?
CA: 2011 Combat Master. Taran, of course, yeah.
TP: Taran, of course, of course.
CA: I’m loyal, I’m loyal to the brand.
TP: We all want that, right? Now for shooters, for women who are trying to get into just the two-way space in general. ‘Cuz from the outside looking in, it looks scary, it looks intimidating.
CA: Sure. Yeah, man-dominated field, for sure.
TP: What could you say to them or even ones that are wanting to get into competition, what advice could you give to them?
CA: For me, personally, what I have been focusing on is less the space that I’m in and more personal goals. So, when you start competing with yourself rather than thinking about everybody else, I think that really helps a lot. So, for me, I will set a personal goal and if I meet that, I’m happy. I don’t care about, you know, criticism or whatever. It is hard, obviously, there’s pressure for being a shooter for Taran, you know, ‘cuz he’s like a legend. But once I just focus on being better than I was yesterday, it takes a lot of that pressure off.
TP: Excellent, excellent. And if they’re just trying to… What’s the first step for someone who’s wanting to get into the two-way space?
CA: First step… I say just find a local range. Find a local range. Get an instructor who you really, you can relate to, you know? Try different instructors until you find someone that is your person and stick to it. And then eventually just sign up for a match and go!
TP: Amen.
CA: Yeah.
TP: Keep it simple. Just show up and you’ll get good.
