The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
A new generation of gun owners is emerging but we don’t hear enough about them. They’re younger, more diverse, and… female.
The fresh faces of young armed women provide new energy and a different perspective in the debate against gun-control legislation.
The White House and Democratic candidates insist on restricting our gun rights but Americans continue to buy guns and ammunition in droves. This trend includes young women applying for their concealed carry license, purchasing firearms and taking classes to educate themselves. In fact, more women than ever before are gun owners and protection is the primary reason they are learning to shoot.
They are daughters, students, single moms and young professionals.
They are the next generation of Second Amendment activists advocating for gun rights within their communities and on campus.
They are celebrities like Angelina Jolie who in 2008 told The Daily Mail, “If anybody comes into my home and tries to hurt my kids, I’ve no problem shooting them.”
They are responsible gun owners who refuse to be victims.
While it’s true that most gun owners are still white males over 55, many of the shooters I see at shooting ranges are young professionals — millennials and Gen X’ers.
In an effort to empower the next wave of gun rights advocates the NRA has developed a comprehensive program for college students called “NRA University” or NRA U.
According to their website, “NRA U is a two-hour training seminar for college students interested in learning more about NRA, the Second Amendment, gun safety, legislative threats to gun rights and the gun control debate.”
Technology and social media have also played a critical role in reaching out to a more diverse audience. Manufacturers have developed products that appeal to women such as compact handguns that are designed to fit smaller hands and are more concealable. Ranges are transforming their experiences to engage a younger audience by creating high-tech advanced indoor shooting facilities that provide instant feedback with each shot. These live fire lanes are interactive video targets designed to sharpen tactical skills and deliver it in a futuristic social environment. I call them adult playgrounds but their goal is to attract a new face of gun ownership in America—millennials.
Shooting—like working out, eating healthy and Apple products—has become part of my lifestyle. YouTube celebrities Colion Noir and Dana Loesch provide engaging content online that tie this lifestyle together and help you learn more about the growing industry of clothing, accessories, handbags and holsters that make carrying easier and safer than ever.
My boyfriend encouraged me to arm and defend myself so I would not become a victim. I’m reminded by many recent acts of violence around the world why it’s important defend our rights and challenge the gun-control narrative.
A rape victim who was attacked in 2006 while at Colorado College questioned President Obama about his executive actions on his gun control agenda. He said, “you have to be pretty well trained in order to fire a weapon against somebody who is assaulting you.” It sounded like Obama was telling this young mom that girls don’t know how to use guns.
That comment sparked a discussion about our right to defend ourselves but it also revealed how Democrats really view women and their role in society.
Safety and security should be the top “women issue.” The only thing that gives any women equal opportunity in a battle between a violent assailant and herself is a firearm.
Make no mistake, just because women wear heels does not mean that they can’t pull a trigger.
They should not be underestimated. Women run companies, operate vehicles, play sports, perform surgeries, code websites. They are more than capable of using a firearm and shouldn’t let anyone tell them otherwise.
To be clear, 200,000 women use a gun to protect themselves against sexual abuse per year.
Ladies, are you armed?