Women-Only Shooting Events Build Confidence

Throughout my journey as a firearms instructor, I’ve noticed something quite interesting: many women feel more comfortable and empowered when participating in women-only shooting events. These gatherings provide a supportive environment where they can learn about gun safety, the fundamentals of shooting, and build upon their skills with confidence. It’s truly inspiring to see how these events foster camaraderie and growth among female shooters!

Women-only events share several key characteristics that attract ladies to the range, designed to reduce nervousness and build confidence. If you have been hesitant about learning to shoot or getting out to your local range, this may be the inspiration you need!

Why the All-Female Environment Matters

When a woman attends an all-female shooting event, this immediately reduces the intimidation factor and provides a welcoming environment focused specifically on women’s needs, whether they are “newbies” or more experienced shooters. Women realize that the female instructor before them has once been a new shooter herself, relaying a message that says, “If she can do it, so can I!” At the beginning of each of my training classes, I share my personal story about my very first shot during my very first class as a student. I describe how I felt and how I performed so that my students can relate to my experience and see similarities in their own thoughts and feelings. The women in my class particularly respond to this; they appreciate knowing that this female instructor was once a beginner as well.

Teaching Methods Built for Women’s Bodies

Along with this, female instructors have the same physical differences as their female students, such as smaller hands and different grip strengths, which can make manipulating the firearm more difficult when using the more common method of operating a slide, which requires fine motor skills. Female instructors can teach methods that incorporate leverage, body mechanics, and the use of gross motor skills, rather than using pure hand strength. Male instructors, through no fault of their own, sometimes struggle to assist women with firearm manipulation because they have not faced similar issues themselves, thus resulting in their inability to provide help. Sometimes this leads to a woman being told that since she cannot operate a slide, she will have to purchase a revolver. When these revolver owners come to class and learn an alternative way to operate the slide on a semi-automatic firearm, they erupt with excitement and accomplishment. They quickly realize that they can effectively handle a slide and become proficient with a semi-automatic firearm despite their physical differences. This reaction is very typical in a women-only class, which may not have transpired in a co-ed class setting.

A Space Without Intimidation

Students in women-only events often enjoy the atmosphere because it eliminates any intimidation that may come from a co-ed class. Women are more apt to be quiet and not as participatory because they are afraid of asking that dreaded “stupid question” and feel they may be at risk of being ridiculed. Others in class may be using terms that are unfamiliar to the female student, and this can deter them from being more active in class and make them feel like they are competing with other students’ knowledge or slowing down the class. I have witnessed women who come to class with apprehensiveness that slowly melts away as the class progresses, as other women express common concerns.

Building a Sisterhood

Participants at women-only events, after being together for several hours, build camaraderie among each other, turning a potentially stressful experience into a “sisterhood” of sorts, where women share fears and experiences that they may not share otherwise in a co-ed class. Once a woman shares her thoughts, she learns quickly that others are in her same position, and this immediately begins the bonding process and builds a community among the participants.

Situational Awareness for Real Life

Within this community, I have noticed that teaching women basic situational awareness techniques is of high interest and spurs an abundance of class discussion and sharing of experiences that may not otherwise take place in a co-ed class. This type of training can be catered more personally to women and can focus on scenarios that they are more likely to face, such as automobile security, parking lot awareness, traveling safely with children, home defense techniques, and the use of personal protection devices, which fit their purpose as well as the body on which they are carried (rtbav.nra.org).

Gear That Fits Every Body Type

Since women come in all shapes and sizes, when defending themselves, women also need to be comfortable with their firearm and their gear, whether carried on or off body, and meant for bodies that range from smaller-framed to larger, curvier women. Female instructors can provide their students with better insight into firearms and holsters that are better suited for various body types, and can provide many examples in class, from a Cross Breed Belly Band that can easily be worn with leggings and a tunic top, to a Gun Tote’n Mamas cross-body purse or tote bag that can go with basically any outfit. In my classes, I have noticed women like to touch, feel, and try on various gear to fit their needs and their varied body types before purchase.

Keeping the Momentum Going

No matter the firearm or the gear a woman chooses, it is important to practice using their gear routinely and execute the safety and fundamentals learned in class to ensure that the user is comfortable and confident if a time should arise to use their firearm for personal protection. I have had success offering students follow-up sessions twice per month to reinforce instruction. Practicing with other women and receiving encouragement from a fellow female shooter who has experienced similar challenges can keep her confidence up and keep her coming back for more practice among the sisterhood that she helped create.

Other options for ongoing practice and support may include national organizations for women, such as the NRA Women on Target Instructional Pistol Clinic, Armed Women of America, A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting League, and the United States Concealed Carry Association, USCCA .

A Student’s Story

With so many benefits of women-only shooting events, I encourage all readers to reach out to their local club, shooting range, or one of the organizations mentioned above to start your journey. It is truly satisfying and empowering for both the student and the instructor to witness the student’s progress from the beginning to the end of an event. Recently, after an NRA Women on Target Instructional Pistol Clinic, one of my students said: “I’m not afraid of guns, but have been VERY hesitant to ‘try any on’ or take the responsibility of owning one since I was never taught the basics. Now, I feel I have that confidence to pick up, hold, load/unload & fire. Outside of Saturday, I’ve only fired a gun two other times, and that was in the backyard (one with acreage & against a hill…), so I had no range experience. This class was really exciting. My female instructor on the range was awesome!!! She made me feel so comfortable and relaxed, but also provided constructive criticism and helpful tips. My husband was so happy when I asked him, ‘When are we hitting the range?'”

So get out there, ladies, and hit the range!

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