On this episode of State of the Second, hosts Kailey Nieman and John Fahrner sit down with Kristen of Laser Ammo for a wide-ranging conversation about dry-fire training, women in the firearms space, and what it really means to be prepared.

From her start in law-enforcement training to competitive shooting, advocacy, and building one of the most advanced dry-fire technology companies in the industry, Kristen shares why practice isn’t optional—it’s foundational.

From Early Age Training to Competition to Laser Ammo

Kristen’s firearms journey started at 18, when she took her first firearms safety class through the San Diego Police Department because she wanted to become a police officer. That foundation led her into target shooting, then competitive disciplines like USPSA and IDPA after moving to Texas.

Through competition, she met Pat and Mary Grace McMahon—connected to Laser Ammo—and eventually became both a sponsored shooter and the company’s marketing manager. At the same time, she launched her own firearms training business, focused largely on helping women train more confidently and competently.

What Laser Ammo Does—and Why It Matters

Laser Ammo is a dry-fire training technology company founded in 2009, originally serving military and law-enforcement. Today, its products support:

• Concealed carriers
• Firearms instructors
• Competitive shooters
• Law enforcement and military
• Everyday gun owners

The company holds more than 13 patents and offers everything from simple drop-in laser cartridges to full home-based simulators.

Kristen explains that Laser Ammo doesn’t rely on just one system. Shooters can train using:

• Laser cartridges
• Auto-resetting SureStrikeMAGs
• Reactive laser targets
• Recoiling training laser pistols
• AR laser bolts (Flash Bolt)
• Full Smokeless Range® home simulators

The goal is simple:
Turn dry fire into something measurable, engaging, and realistic.

Making Dry Fire Actually Work

Traditional dry fire often becomes boring: rack the slide, pull the trigger, repeat. Laser Ammo changes that by adding visual feedback, scoring, timers, and reactive targets, turning repetition into meaningful practice.

Kristen explains that even five to ten minutes a day can dramatically improve:

• Grip
• Trigger control
• Draw
• Reloads
• Sight acquisition
• Safety manipulation

You don’t have to do everything at once—just focus on the part you struggle with and repeat it until it becomes natural. Then move onto the next thing.

Training at Home with the Smokeless Range®

Laser Ammo’s Smokeless Range® brings dry fire into a full simulation environment using a Windows computer, camera, and projector.

The core Smokeless Range® license purchase includes 10 core drills that can be run solo or competitively. Shooters can adjust:

• Target size
• Difficulty
• No-shoots
• Visual field

Add-ons expand the system into advanced tools, including:

• Competitive Shooter Pro (build full matches)
• Judgmental shoot/no-shoot scenarios
• Branching video simulations with instructor control
• After-action reviews

The Video Scenario Trainer (VST Pro) includes over 100 branching scenarios, allowing instructors to control how each situation unfolds based on a student’s actions and communication.

Why Women Train Differently—and Why That Matters

Kristen is deeply involved in women’s firearms education because women often face intimidation and barriers that men don’t.

Women tend to:

• Want more information
• Ask more “what if” questions
• Think emotionally and logically about self-defense

That’s why she encourages women to:

• Learn proper terminology
• Load their own magazines
• Clean their own firearms
• Understand how their guns actually work

Confidence comes from knowledge—and knowledge comes from repetition.

Training Is a Responsibility

Kristen reminds listeners that your firearm should always be your last resort—but when you need it, it must already be in your muscle memory.

Dry-fire training removes barriers like:

• Range distance
• Time constraints
• Weather
• Cost

And replaces them with consistent, accessible practice.

Advocacy and the Second Amendment

The conversation also touches on the importance of political involvement. Kristen points out that while the Second Amendment is only 27 words long, it takes thousands of words of legislation to restrict—or restore—it.

She urges gun owners to:

• Be politically engaged
• Vote
• Pay attention to local and state government
• Speak openly about rights

Freedom doesn’t maintain itself—it has to be defended.

🎧 Listen to the Full Interview

This episode of State of the Second goes far beyond gear—it dives into mindset, responsibility, training, and advocacy. Kristen’s perspective as a competitive shooter, instructor, and leader at Laser Ammo makes this a must-listen for anyone serious about their training.

You can listen to the full episode here:

Or watch the full video interview on Rumble here:
👉 https://rumble.com/v740b5u-dry-fire-that-actually-works-ft.-laser-ammo.html

To learn more about Laser Ammo and its full line of dry-fire training tools, visit LaserAmmo.com.
To follow Kristen’s women’s training work, visit WTFKristen.com.