Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Women in the Firearms Industry
Women in the firearms industry come from two directions, as users and as creators. But each direction keeps the firearms industry open and innovative.
Competitive Shooting
On the sporting side of shooting, women of all ages are becoming more common. They in general have a bit of an edge in hand-eye coordination, as well as attention to detail. As a result, comprising a relatively small portion of the overall competitor pool, they hold a disproportionate number of records. Kim Rhode (skeet) is a six-time Olympic medal winner, including three gold medals, and six-time national champion in double trap. Julie Golob (pistol) holds over 50 world and national titles. Many recent champions combine extensive careers outside of the firearms world with numerous medals.
Self-Defense
On the self-defense side, several women run firearm training schools. Julianna Crowder, a firearms instructor, founded A Girl & A Gun in 2011. The organization is now run by Robyn Sandoval, a firearms instructor who also serves on the Board of Directors of the DC Project and is the Managing Editor for Women & Guns magazine. Another instructor is Tatiana Whitlock, well known for her own training courses. Tatiana is an example of a bigger than life figure who has been a plastic engineer, graphic designer, writer, model, and a mother of four somehow, she managed to do everything. She was one of the consultants behind Walther’s PDP-F pistol designed for smaller female hands.
Gunsmiths and Entrepreneurs
I have not found any firearms designed by women, but many work as gunsmiths, engravers, holster designers. Sarah (Cade) Hauptman, jointly with her husband, developed the Enigma modular deep concealment holster that has taken the CCW world by storm. Anna Taylor designs Dene Adams holsters. At companies like Keltec, majority of the gun assembly and some of the parts machining is done by women.
There’s zero reason for anyone to avoid firearms design or gunsmithing, as any legal or cultural restrictions on engineering education are decades in the past. In fact, two women, owner Jean Martin and financial director Jessi Ellis, run Colorado School of Trades where gunsmithing is taught.
With more women than ever owning guns, serving in the military, and generally using technology evenly with me, I would expect to see more of them in the technical side of gun design and manufacturing within the coming years, which is something the industry should be excited about.
Written by: Oleg Volk, Firearms Photographer
