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Gun Sales Surge Among U.S. Women: ‘Prada and Bling Meet Bullets and Pistol Grips’

Feb. 20, 2013 8:54am Billy Hallowell

Number of American Women Buying Guns Surges

Photo Credit: AP

It’s no secret that gun sales have spiked of late, with new calls for legislative and executive action following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting sending consumers out to purchase the weapons of their choice before potential restrictions forbid them from doing so. But among the general increase in gun sales is a growing pattern of firearm possession and use among women.

While there’s still a major gender gap in ownership when comparing women and men — a 2011 Gallup poll found that 23 percent of women own guns as opposed to 46 percent of men — the tides are changing. Just consider the fact that a Gallup poll in 2005 found that only 13 percent of women personally owned a firearm. That’s a 10 percentage-point jump worth noteworthy. Plus, there are other indicators. The New York Times has more:

Women’s participation in shooting sports has surged over the last decade, increasing by 51.5 percent for target shooting from 2001 to 2011, to just over 5 million women, and by 41.8 percent for hunting, according to the National Sporting Goods Association.

Gun sales to women have risen in concert. In a survey last year by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, 73 percent of gun dealers said the number of female customers had gone up in 2011, as had a majority of retailers surveyed in the two previous years.

In describing the growth of female shooters during a special investigation into this phenomenon, CNN’s Ed Lavandera quipped that ”Prada and bling” are increasingly meeting “bullets and pistol grips.” In exploring this development, he visited some locations where women are helping one another learn how to shoot properly.

Take Rene Blaine, for instance, who, along with her husband Dean, founded Austin Hotshots, a firearms school in Austin, Texas. Blaine, who has a passion for helping other women learn how to properly use weapons, told Lavandera that she’s seen explosive growth of late among females who are interested in weaponry.

“The movement towards women in guns is unlike something I’ve never seen before,” she said.

The firearms instructor might be on to something, as Lavandera notes that, while female gun ownership remained steady during the two decades leading up to 2010, it has since been surging.

“More women are getting involved in firearms, because there’s kind of a societal shift,” Niki Jones, founder of Austin Sure Shots, also told the CNN reporter. “There’s not a stigma attached to owning a gun and I think women who decide they want to own a gun want training. They want to be safe…and that’s what we are all about.”

Like Blaine, Jones is intent on helping women prepare and equip themselves to be viable shooters. Her female gun league works to provide a “safe, enjoyable and educational environment for ladies of all ages and experience levels.” In addition to recreational shooting, Austin Sure Shots helps women prepare for competition as well as defensive shooting.

Watch the CNN report highlighting these experts’ opinions, below:

The gun industry is paying attention to the emerging interest coming from women. That’s why many business have adapted to this change by offering bright colored and animal-print guns, bra holsters and other tools that are specifically designed for females.

The web site Girl’s Guide to Guns, for one, provides news and information for women looking to get into the gun scene. And then there’s Sweet Shot, which promises to help ladies “look cute” while they shoot through the availability of gender-based products. If this pattern continues, it’s likely that more women-centric gun products and businesses will emerge.

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Comments (45)

Equip2conceal
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 3:42pm
Interested in Concealed Weapons Permit Call 866-371-6111 or go to http://www.e2c.us Offer Women’s only classes as well.

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kalayaan
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:58pm
Wow…I like this new Prada and bling…I will buy another one….YEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!

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SAMADI-SOUL-CRUSHER
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:47pm
My wife has shot every gun we have ever owned. She has shot everything from a .25 pocket pistol to a FAL STG .308 . She carries a Ruger SR9C everyday.
We practice drawing and dry fire together a few nights a week! We shoot 4 or 5 times a month .
She is a excellent shot and is good with a AK or An AR15. We are waiting to get a S&W Shield
for her summer time carry. We have spent a lot time lately looking at conceal carry guns for her.
I know lots of ladies that have become gun owners and carry concealed . Many have become pro gun
in the last 5 years ! Some were even very anti gun not so long ago!
I have also been involved in training women in martial arts and the use of edged weapons.
Greatest gift you can give the women in your life is the tools to protect themselves.

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- naughtycal
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:19pm
  After seeing the new targets our law enforcement is using women need to arm themselves.
  
  Report this comment
- JRook
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 2:03pm
  No question Mrs. Lanza is a wonderful representation of the effects of the trend.
  
  Report this comment
- SAMADI-SOUL-CRUSHER
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 2:16pm
  @ Jrook
  
  Your right what the hell am I thinking. All women should refrain from learning any type of self defense.
  Cause I’m sure fools like you will always be there to stop bad people.
  
  Report this comment
wilbstal
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:33pm
darn I like my 20 gauge pump with a deer slayer barrel loaded with # 3 Buck shot, even in the dark I dont miss. all targets get obliterated

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- Wolf
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:06am
  Uh-huh. In your dreams.
  
  Report this comment
Guitar Master
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:05pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
From THE REPORTER
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

BOTTOM LINE: The more people that carry guns, the safer our society will be.

The “old West” must return again in order to maintain the peace – minus the “gunslingers” of course.

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stumpy68
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 12:04pm
Most of the woman ive ever gone shooting with
including my sisters were better than average shots

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- Talent-Keyhole
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:16pm
  One major thing I’ll tell ya all .. first time my wife went to the range with me and fired the new Barrett .50 caliber I got she told me “oh my god, I need you right now!!” What followed would have been a randy teenagers dream .. back to the truck and into the camper shell. Took me almost 3 hours to satisfy her needs. Just sayin’ boy, when you’re 81 years old and your momma is 78, don’t tanke NOTHING fer granted.
  
  Report this comment
newsjunkie
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:35am
I bought my first gun a 357 Mag 2 months ago and now I can hit the bullseye in the target. Going to keep on practicing. Thanks, BO and dems for finding me my new best hobby.

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- naughtycal
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:58am
  My tuarus.357 tracker is by an large my favorite gun. It’s dependable and extreme accurate with good ammo. With the 6.5′ barrel I can group at 6″ at 75 yards.
  
  Report this comment
- Silvertruth
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:07am
  My favority pistol round… great choice. Now get yourself a carbine to match the ammo and carry a mated pair of firearms so you can optimize around the round!
  
  I think I’m going to move my wife in a smaller caliber direction though. She likes my .22WMR carbine and I’m thinking of getting her a PMR-30 to go with it.
  
  I’m somthing of a believer in stocking as few ammo types as you can reasonably get away with.
  
  Keep shooting and be safe!
  
  Report this comment
- shadownmss
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:29pm
  .357 is an excellent round, I would suggest you get into reloading ammo for your next hobby. There is something very satisfying about making your own ammunition from components. I am going to get into bullet casting next.
  
  Report this comment
- happ77
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 3:45pm
  Silvertruth….. Good luck finding a PMR 30. I’ve
  been looking for 2yrs.
  
  Report this comment
david3755
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:16am
We continue to see the real war on women is being lead by the democrats who want them to “run to a safe zone and tell rapist’s that they have some disease” instead of preparing them to defend themselves and their children.

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Noz
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:08am
Sweet.

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frogg
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:01am
Every one who wants to remain safe and free had better get a weapon NOW!!!!!!! Obama desires you to be unarmed so that you must do what he says, OR DIE!

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Cavallo
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:58am
The Dems don’t want women to have firearms because they prefer them raped and victimized. They prefer their children to be ripped from their arms and brutalized. Just like the Democrat in Colorado who is worried about getting shot when he sexually assaults one (woman or child).

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ACTIONNOTTALK
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:58am
“The movement towards women in guns is unlike something I’ve never seen before”

If you’ve never seen that “something,” then how do you know it’s unlike anything else?

How are we going to defend our homes, our country and the Constitution if we cannot even form a meaningful sentence?

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Vision Harry
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:58am
My lovely, sensitive, caring wife, has a field emergency medical bag that my paramedic friends say rivals the supplies on their buses. She also is proficient with her Barretta 380 auto (shoulder holster), and her Taurus 38 revolver (purse). I really think she is hoping someone will make the horrible mistake of ******* her off so she can try out the medical bag.

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- Cavallo
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:21am
  I think they make purses that specifically aid in concealed firearms. Although I have been told that a purse is not an optimal place to carry, as well as shoulder and small of the back. The shoulder holster being not optimal because if the assailant is close enough they can press your arm against your chest and prevent you from drawing. Small of the back being not optimal because of the awkward drawing position as well as if you are on your back the difficulty in drawing. Ankle is bad because there is such a huge distance between your hand and your ankle. However, all of these are preferable to not being armed at all. I use a .380 auto with an inside the belt holster, (looking for a more comfortable holster, but the custom made one is still 12 weeks backed up.. the holster maker can’t keep up with demand and is starting to have problems hiring enough qualified people fast enough). This is all hearsay though, and opinions will vary on the best way to carry, with the exception that most sane people agree you should carry rather than not, regardless of where.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:35am
  There are plenty of companies making bling/holsters for women to utilize with a firearm. There are many, here is one that works-
  http://guntotenmamas.com/
  
  Report this comment
JTX
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:56am
WOMEN, you better defend the AR15 and every other semi auto firearm as much as you are defending your revolver and breaking breech shotgun. Every time a woman says ” you dont need ….. XXX ” you loose credibility . Lets become consistent with our messages, or you will loose it.

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CALLMEMSGT
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:53am
I have posted this before but it bears repeating.

Some of you guys like to talk about what types of guns you carry, favorite ammo, blah, blah, blah.

Please also keep the following in mind:

Brown holsters do not go with black shoes and belt or vice versa.

Stainless steel goes with denim, blue steel is for dress up.

Throw away any black nylon Uncle Mike’s gear, it does not go with any thing.

Anyone that would carry a small frame or compact after Labor Day has not style, class or sense.

If you wear matching white shoes and belt, carry as you wish-you have lived long enough to have that right.

Come on guys, use a mirror when you get dressed!!!

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- Cavallo
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:25am
  If you conceal and carry should it match your outter wear or your underwear?
  
  Report this comment
- CALLMEMSGT
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:50am
  Outer by all means. Rember when mom said to wear clean underwear in case you get hit by a bus and have to go to the hospital. Same principle.
  
  Report this comment
LakeHartwellSailor
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:48am
Don’t mess with my wife….she’s a heck of a shot.

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ThomasUSA
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:40am
A Dear Lady Friend of mine, carries two concealed handguns at ALL times. She is a true patriot. It is great news that so many women “get it”…

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JohnJoseph
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:39am
The more politicians talk (stupid talk) the more guns women are going to buy. Women are not stupid! They know that there are not enough police out there to come in a minute’s notice to help defend them. Those that want to take away our gun rights do not understand that “law abiding” citizens are not those that will just start shooting away at everything they see. If you were to take a survey you would find that those that “conceal carry” have the mindset of never ever wanting to have use their gun for any reason. However, they will tell you that it is there just in case it is needed.

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Tigress1
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:35am
What is happening is that many people who may have never considered owning a gun, are now rethinking their positions. They are afraid that if crime gets REALLY bad they may not be able to purchase one when they want. It’s now or never.

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Lloyd Drako
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:35am
It would be most revealing to know the proportion who get semiautomatic rifles or big mag handguns, and the proportion who follow Joe’s advice and get double barrel shotguns.

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m14guy
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:31am
My wonderful wife has been turned into a fire-breathing Patriot by the current Marxist regime. She has become proficient in the AK74, AR-15 and Beretta PX4 9mm. She has taken classes. She knows how to clear a room while under pressure. She knows the difference between concealment & cover. She can do stoppage drills and rapid mag changes. She knows who to clean & lube her weapons. She has 3 other friends that have also been transformed into Patriots. The regime can thank themselves for the awakening that has taken place. A charming, lovely lady has been transformed. I’m very proud of her & her friends.

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- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:20am
  Unless you are equally proficient, I would be very nice to her from now on.
  
  Report this comment
- Cavallo
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:26am
  “She knows who to clean & lube her weapons.”
  
  That sounds rather lewd. TMI.
  
  Report this comment
- Texaslockstar
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:41am
  I am glad to hear she is taking controle of her rights and knows what to do. I would suggest getting rid of that PX4 . I had one , never again will I own one. I had to send it back to beretta twice to have it fixed.
  
  Report this comment
- Eternal
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:46am
  God bless you all! this BEGS that you make a video of what they can do and allow it to go viral. Perhaps explain how BO and DEMS are actually harming women in act while supporting them with cheap talk.
  
  Report this comment
- m14guy
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:58am
  We settled on the PX4 Compact as she could manipulate the slide, mag release and safety with ease. The other factor was the ability to change the grip panel to suit her hand. She has put over 350 rounds through it. 115 & 146 grain FMJ and HP. 100% reliable. She has confidence in the pistol.I understand how any pistol can be the luck of the draw. I had a Kimber that was never right even after a trip back to the factory. Lost faith in it and trade it away at a loss…it happens. She also has an M9.
  
  Report this comment
mea1995
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:25am
Awesome! I have to agree, as a woman, it is empowering to know I can defend myself against an intruder.

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Fubared
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:15am
Excellent.

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TimKan7719
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:09am
My wife shoots, she almost owned as many weapons as me before we got married. She has even started bow hunting. It was our second date.

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UNALIEN
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 8:59am
the dems new gun control laws are clearly a war on women

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- Welcome Black Carter
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:11am
  I love it. You go girls!!!
  
  Report this comment

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