CBS News: Female Gun Ownership on the Rise

[<*(((><]

Estimated 1:5 females in 2017 owns a gun. Find that hard to believe, but I do know there are a lot more women getting interested in firearms lately.

The article mainly talks about "carry wear" but its good to see some press that bucks the established thought only redneck hicks carry guns.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/female-gun-ownership-and-the-rise-of-fashionable-carrywear/

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Old news.

 

[<*(((><]

Well the article is fresh off the press, dated 4/26/19.

 

[John_R]

20% of females (presumed adult) own guns? That would be over 25 million women.

252,063,800 adults in the us over 18, half men, half women. (126 million men, 126 million women)

In a Pew poll, 30% of Americans say they own at least one gun, which is 75.6 million adults.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

This is tied to the increase in popularity nationwide in CC. Frankly, CC is one of the best things we have going for us as gun owners. For having millions of random people packing deadly weapons, the general public thus far has been remarkably responsible with it, even more than I would have expected as a pro-gun guy.

Carry is going to get more and more popular among men, women, and everyone as the US continues to urbanize, and as long as we continue to be responsible with it, I think we're going to keep having an easy time getting CC-friendly legislation passed as well.

 

[George Dickel]

In the last few years when I've gone to indoor and outdoor ranges women are represented quite well. I shoot metallic silhouette and there are a number of women shooters in that discipline and most are tough competitors. There were women in rifmfire benchrest matches when I shot in that game. Back when I was a young man you just didn't see women at all in the shooting sports, it was definitely a man's sport. I agree that CC has done a lot to get women shooting and carrying a firearm. A lot of young women realize that an unarmed 100 lb woman hasn't much chance against a 175 lb man intent on doing harm to her. If you look at the anti-gun crowd most are women and if we can get more women shooting they might be the element that swings opinion our way.

 

[Wisco]

The more women gun owners the better. Hopefully many are independent of men in regard to guns.

The 2A provides an important check on government. A diverse population of gun owners provides an important check on possible factions of gun owners...no one wants A Handmaid’s Tale to happen, for example.

I digress.

Good news!

 

[Labguy47]

I’ve taken anti-gun nurses and turned them into CCW supporters. All I did was take them to ladies night and load magazines. Of course a little instruction on the basic safety issues but that is all.

 

[J-Bar]

I am delighted to have more women interested in shooting, carrying concealed, etc.

I shot groups at an indoor range yesterday. There were two women in lanes near me, one by herself, the other sharing a lane with a male companion. Their targets were about 5 yards down range. It was spray as fast as they could, with groups measured in feet, not inches. It was heartbreaking to watch. I was tempted to approach them and offer coaching, as rude as that would have been. I didnt. I focused on my target at 50 feet and keeping them in the black.

There are a number of female cowboy action competitors who can outshoot me consistently. At my age, most female shooters should be able to outshoot me!

Praise be to those who continue to help their female shooting friends after they buy their guns so that they become reasonably accurate shooters! The ladies I saw yesterday were scary.

 

[Deanimator]

The idea of women and minorities owning and carrying guns strikes terror in the hearts of anti-gun cultists.

 

[RETG]

I would bet that number is low. Regardless the more the better. Remember, women are a very large voting block.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Every gun owner should take a least one non gun owner to the range once a year. Not only women but anyone interested.It will keep our sport alive.

 

[BSA1]

I strongly believe the future of gun ownership is with women.

Women are very vulnerable and oppressed in our society. Consider how many women are raising their children alone without any support from their deadbeat ex and how often they are a victim of crime. Women can be a big opponent of waiting periods if we educate them.

Since so many children are being raised by single moms they have a huge influence in shaping their children attitudes. The policy in my Mother's house and in my Wife's house is "If Momma ain't happy, nobody is happy."

 

[lionking]

Makes perfect sense and it can't be argued that " when seconds count the cops are only minutes away". Couple that with domestic violence and if delivered correct when in discussion, it can only make sense to a woman that being armed is the greatest defense against a crazy ex or violent boyfriend or husband or a stalker. There was just a article where a woman had a restraining order against a man, the man was arrested and then bailed out and then went and murdered her.

 

[<*(((><]

I would bet that number is low. Regardless the more the better. Remember, women are a very large voting block.

You think? I look around at my family with whom all the guys are big into guns, and none of the wives own a gun. I hope I’m wrong but 1:5 seems too high to me. Wonder if when they polled the women that some women counted their husbands guns as owning guns themselves.

 

[KnightHawk]

This is good news. I just heard on one of the news/opinion shows the gun ownership in the US is at 380 million. Personally I believe it's higher. The numbers of gun owners is bound to be higher. How many of you would answer a poll or a question from a stranger as to whether or not you own any guns?
But women owning guns, I hope the trend is ever upward. I know my wife owns lots of guns, maybe more then I own. Of coarse, I do buy some guns for my wife from time to time. I even tell her about some of them.
Remember the old saying: Got a gun for my wife. Good trade.

In a Pew poll, 30% of Americans say they own at least one gun, which is 75.6 million adults.

I bet it's higher, maybe 40% to 50%.

 

[old lady new shooter]

You think? I look around at my family with whom all the guys are big into guns, and none of the wives own a gun. I hope I’m wrong but 1:5 seems too high to me. Wonder if when they polled the women that some women counted their husbands guns as owning guns themselves.

More adult women are single now than used to be the case. I suspect this is a factor contributing to the increase in women's gun ownership.

 

[Old Dog]

Yep, more adult women are taking ownership of their own safety, and this is all good. I absolutely love it when I see women at my local ranges shooting with no male partners or friends with them, it's truly a positive sign.

I just had one of my employees proudly show me the new personal gun she'd just bought (all on her own, with no male present to "recommend" anything or to "advise" her); she made a great choice, and it gave me a great feeling.

 

[BSA1]

This is a long post but it is a example of how and why it took my wife so long to become a gun owner herself.

My wife has brought two handguns for herself that I would never have chose.

Her first one is a S&W M&P 1.0 9mm with APEX trigger kit.

Her second one is a Ruger SR22 in Ceracoat Jungle Green.

For physical and medical issues my wife has never enjoyed shooting handguns. Surgery helped the carpel tunnel in her wrists. About three years ago we went to a LGS that was celebrating being open for one year. Lots of guns on display and available to handle with some factory reps being present to answer question. My wife handled Glock, SIG, Walther, Springfield Armory and some others. We ended up with her looking at S&W M&P's. A smart and knowledgeable associate taught her how to overcome her lack of strength in her hands by racking the slide by pushing the frame forward instead of trying to pull the slide back. The APEX trigger kit is a very worthwhile improvement and completely changed my attitude about striker fired guns. She brought the gun and loves shooting it. In fact she mentions that we need to get back to the range now that the weather is getting nice again.

I never saw the Ruger SR22 coming. We went to a Gunshow last Fall with my intention of her handling guns smaller than her M&P so she will start carrying. Well the first gun she saw was a Ruger SR22. She has small hands and fell in love with it. I told her that the 22 was too small for self-defense and we moved on walked the entire show and she did not find anything that she liked. Well except for that Ruger SR22. Even the gunowner told her it was not a good choice for self-defense but....

Anyway I like both guns. I have changed my attitude about plastic striker fired guns and the Ruger SR22 is a hoot to shoot. It has yet to choke on the ammo we feed it. My only complaint is it is a pain to keep reloading only two magazines. (Note to self order some more mags for this summers shooting).

I quit shooting the 22 during the Great 22 Ammo Panic as I knew I could not replace what I had on hand. Now with Ruger Wrangler hitting the shelves I foresee us shooting a lot of 22 this year. (Note to self again. Get some more mags for the SR22). (Oh another note to self. Start buying more 22 ammo by the brick). In fact when my daughters are home to visit I foresee the SR22 getting shot a lot and big smiles.

My wife has become so excited that she applied for her Conceal Carry License last month and we will be at the Fall Gunshow looking for a small pistol for her to carry. I will be pushing harder for a 9mm this time but the Lord only knows what she will choose.

It has me excited also.

p.s. I am also building her a lightweight AR in .223. Daughter #1, the Army vet, has already claimed one of my AR's.

Daughter #1 has a daughter of her own which she which will encourage to start learning how to shoot when she gets old enough. Of course Grandpa will have to do the teaching.

I said give Momma a gun and she will teach the kids to love gun ownership also.

 

[<*(((><]

@BSA1

The women in our family agree wholeheartedly with the 2A but just don’t see the need for personal ownership of firearms, they are content that myself and my brothers own guns and use them. Maybe that’ll change, my wife has gone to the range a few times and enjoys shooting.

Good to hear your wife and daughter are enjoying shooting, it’s good to expand into the other half of the population where we can. And often women are the ones who need the protection the most.

 

[old lady new shooter]

@BSA1

The women in our family agree wholeheartedly with the 2A but just don’t see the need for personal ownership of firearms, they are content that myself and my brothers own guns and use them. Maybe that’ll change, my wife has gone to the range a few times and enjoys shooting.

Good to hear your wife and daughter are enjoying shooting, it’s good to expand into the other half of the population where we can. And often women are the ones who need the protection the most.

The problem with "My husband has a gun so I don't need one" is that the husband is not going to be with the wife 24/7. G-d forbid a BG breaks in when the wife is alone... not to mention other even more distressing scenarios.

 

[BSA1]

The problem with "My husband has a gun so I don't need one" is that the husband is not going to be with the wife 24/7. G-d forbid a BG breaks in when the wife is alone... not to mention other even more distressing scenarios.

Exactly. After our farm dog died last year I convinced her to get another big dog for protection. We now have a German Shepherd mix that is very strong and protective. So if that dog doesn’t convince a attacker to leave all of those 9mm bullets coming his way will.

The biggest reason my wife doesn’t carry is because her employer has a really bad attitude about guns and has a policy that says you can be fired if someone sees your gun. For example if she was too open her desk drawer and another employee was to accidentally see it she would be fired. Conceal carry is ok but if someone was to see it while you are using the bathroom you get the other kind of canned. We agree that leaving the gun in her truck is too risky do to theft.

 

[BSA1]

But women owning guns, I hope the trend is ever upward. I know my wife owns lots of guns, maybe more then I own. Of coarse, I do buy some guns for my wife from time to time.

As G. Gordon Liddy used to say “My wife owns a big collection of guns.”

 

[old lady new shooter]

Conceal carry is ok but if someone was to see it while you are using the bathroom you get the other kind of canned.

Well, women's restrooms have stalls exclusively, so the only way someone would see the gun would be by peeping through the tiny space at the edge of the door or over the divider (which ought to get THEM fired).

 

[<*(((><]

The problem with "My husband has a gun so I don't need one" is that the husband is not going to be with the wife 24/7. G-d forbid a BG breaks in when the wife is alone... not to mention other even more distressing scenarios.

Wholeheartedly agree, which is why my wife knows where our home defense guns are, for while I’m away. This doesn’t help the fact when she is away from home by herself or with the kids she is without a gun for protection.

I take great encouragement in articles like this and women who are starting to take their family and own protection more seriously. It provides great opportunities to speak with women in our families that are already pro-2A but haven’t taken that next step. I’m not one to force someone to carry a firearm, but if they arrive at that conclusion through experiences or conversations that is a win in my book.