MATTHEWS, N.C. — It’s been a year since Jae Wittreich picked up a gun.

Point Blank Range in Matthews held a safety workshop Saturday to prepare people for the worst-case scenario following mass shootings across the nation 

Jae Wittreich attended the workshop to learn how to protect herself and her loved ones 

Former law enforcement officers, veterans, firearm instructors and medics led courses on situational awareness, active shooter response and how to "stop the bleed" 

After the recent mass shootings at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, Wittreich says she has to be able to protect herself and loved ones. 

“The grocery store, the school. Things like that did not happen when I was in grade school. It’s happening now,” she said. “What if I’m out with my grandchildren?”

So, she went to Point Blank Range Saturday to sharpen her shooting skills. 

She works in the company’s graphics department, but she wasn’t on the clock Saturday. Instead, she attended as a member of the public.

She also stayed for their active shooter response training, keeping her grandchildren in mind.

“Just wanting them to be aware,” she said. “How do I make them aware of protecting themselves?”

Former law enforcement officers, veterans and firearm instructors shared tips on situational awareness and action steps to take if you’re ever caught in an active shooter situation, pushing attendees like Wittreich to think outside the box. 

“Knowing that the back entrance to a business is a way out,” Wittreich said. 

They talked about the U.S. Department of Justice’s advice to "run, hide and fight" during an active shooter situation.

For example, instructors recommend barricading yourself inside a room to hide from a shooter, moving a heavy item against the door. Or as a rule of thumb, when you go to a restaurant, sit in the corner, so you can see the entire room, and watch all exits  — strategies Wittreich hadn’t considered. Someone near an exit looking nervous could be a sign.

“Just being aware of different things that you didn’t even think of, looking at weapons, looking at people,” she said.” I never thought about looking at people sitting at the door.”

She says she relies on her husband, who carries a handgun to protect her, even though he’s never had to actually use it. But she won’t have that option in a few days.

“My husband always sits with his back against the wall, but I depend on him,” she said. “Ok, he’s not going to be there two days next week.”

Wittrech says the training gives her the confidence to depend on herself. 

Instructors for the lesson also recommended taking a self-defense class. They say it’s important to know what you’re capable of before a tragic situation happens.