Empowering Women Through Firearm Safety
Whether you are looking to feel safer, start a new hobby, or just enjoy your first day out hunting or at a range, there are plenty of options out there for ladies who want some hands-on experience with firearm training. For some, it can be intimidating to venture out into firearms safety classes that have traditionally been male spaces, but there are some great organizations dedicated to matching you with a female firearms instructor. So, if you already know the cardinal rules of firearm safety by heart and you’re ready to take the next step, this article will help you weigh some of your options.
What’s in a Name?
When you are looking for a female firearms instructor, it’s only natural to look for an organization that’s upfront about its inclusiveness- i.e. organizations that actually mention women in their names. But, as the saying goes, What’s in a name? If there’s a range near you, there’s a good chance they’ve got female-centric options for pairing you with a female instructor or an event.
So, don’t forget that your local ranges, sporting goods stores, and shooting leagues would probably love to hear from you. However, if doing a quick internet search and asking around isn’t getting you the results you hoped for, you are not out of luck. The following are just a few of the organizations out there that can connect you with female firearms instructors and put you on the trail to women-only events.
A Girl and A Gun
When people think of A Girl & A Gun, they typically think of competitive shooting leagues and clubs, but they’re a great place to start if you are looking for a little instruction. You can check out their training videos, check out their chapters and host ranges across the US, and drop them a line if you are looking for something in particular. Their mission statement says that they’re dedicated to “…a comfortable, supportive, and ego-free environment for learning gun safety and marksmanship alongside other women.”
At the time of this article, you don’t have to be a member in order to attend one of their courses/events, but be aware you’ll likely have to pay range fees for any course/events you attend. If you are considering participating in competitive shooting events, you might want to consider a yearly membership, which at the time of this article, is $50.
Armed Women of America
That’s right, American women are armed, and they’re coming for you! Jokes aside, as intimidating as the name may sound, they’re a non-profit organization dedicated to self-defense education, and building confidence is part of their mission statement. At the time of this article, membership is less than $100 per year, and they claim to have over 300 chapters around the US. So, if you are looking for firearm safety education and peer support, joining their organization may be worth your consideration.
NRA Women on Target
The biggest name in the business, of course, has you covered for instructional shooting clinics as well. You can contact them to find out about instructional shooting and basic safety clinics for women.
The Unbearable Burden of Reaching Out to Strangers
Composing a message and hitting that send button can be intimidating for some, especially when it has to do with investing your time and money. And it’s often a little unnerving reaching out to strangers- especially in this modern world of impersonal auto-response bots and tedious webforms to fill out. But it can be absolutely worth your time!
These groups connect people with education, so rest assured that they in no way expect you to be the voice of experience. Remember that the silliest question is the one that you never asked.
When you are staring at a blinking cursor or a phone number, it can all too easy to forget what brought you to this moment. But, as you already know, learning firearm safety is an investment in yourself and your community. There’s never a time when the world doesn’t need more people who know how to defend themselves and safely store and handle a firearm.
What if None of These Options Appeal to Me?
If there are no female-only gun safety courses or female instructors near you, consider being a trailblazer. By showing up in a traditionally male space, you signal to others that it really is a place for everyone. And while you might feel some hesitation, there’s a very good chance that you’ll likely be treated just like everyone else. In fact, you may find that some guys are on their best behavior when a lady is in their company.
I realize that there are, of course, other considerations for those who are seeking out female-only spaces, so please be safe and do only what you are comfortable with. But if you think you could do well in a diverse group setting, don’t deprive yourself of a great opportunity. You might just find that your presence motivates other women to do a little trailblazing of their own, and those classes might start looking a little more diverse than they did before you arrived. And creating a welcoming environment for everyone is always something to be proud of.
Written by: Lanna Perkins
