Why Women Shoot
By Kerry Slone
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear someone say “I support the 2nd Amendment?” Many people, especially those that are already staunch 2A supporters, would say “right to bear arms; shall not be infringed, and defend against a tyrannical government” or something along those lines. While these statements are factual, for women, they do not tend to immediately look at the 2nd Amendment with those things in mind. When I recently asked women “why do you carry,” the received responses should not shock most of us who already are well versed in the reasons for the Second Amendment:
“I live in an area where the cops don’t generally show up when you call them, so I’ve trained to be my own protector.”
“To make sure that I never again am forced to defend myself with nothing more than my teeth and fingernails”
“Have you seen it out there? Women that don’t [carry] are helpless against all the crime and violence.”
“Because I have been a victim. I decided I valued my life more than a predator’s life.”
The fact is women rarely choose to own and/or carry a firearm because the Second Amendment says, “shall not be infringed,” but rather, out of fear. Compiled statistics from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics and the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program over the past decade show a consistent increase in victimization of women. Combined with well documented failures to prosecute criminals, state and local lawmakers defunding or limiting available resources and limitations on law enforcement’s ability to respond to violent crimes, there’s no surprise why women consistently represented the largest number of new firearm purchases since 2020. With women disproportionately targeted for certain violent crimes, especially sexual assault, rape, and domestic violence, many choose to own/carry a firearm because it is the most effective tool.
Surprisingly, despite what legacy and social media conveys, self-described left leaning women are not always “anti-gun”. They do, however, tend to be initially supportive of gun control laws, especially red flag laws, expanded background checks, waiting periods and required training for permits. On the opposing side of the political spectrum, conservative/right-leaning women may be less inclined to support some of these directed policies, however, a large percentage of these conservative women fall victim to believing that infringements like “assault weapon” bans, magazine capacity limits and banning “ghost guns” only impact criminals.
The gun control lobby is masterful at exploiting fear and strives to convince women that “common sense” measures are “reasonable” and increase public safety. The weaponization of womanhood against their own best interests has been a benchmark of “gun grabbers” messaging since the 1970’s. Sadly, they have been successful in many areas of the country. Even in areas in which the Second Amendment is better defended by State legislatures, apathy and complicity can take hold. Unfortunately, it has not been until the last few years that the most effective way to convince people how disingenuous gun control measures are is waiting until they or their family members become victims. This begs the question, how do we inspire women to have their own “why I carry” testimony before they become a victim? It all begins with education.
Based on my experiences with new students, they all admit that the apparent increase in crime is alarming and was the catalyst for them deciding to learn to use a firearm. By enrolling in a firearm fundamentals class, they see themselves as taking their first step towards increased personal safety. What they do not expect is once they realize that the
“common sense” laws they either supported or felt like they did not impact them. As the classes progress, questions about basic firearm mechanics turn into more in-depth questioning of all the barriers that exist to limit their ability to carry a firearm. What they once believed to be “common sense” no longer seems logical.
“What do you mean I can only have 10 rounds in my gun?”
“So if I have been on a sleeping medication, I can be denied the purchase of a firearm?”
“Why is my abusive stalker able to get a gun but I have to wait 10 days to be able to protect myself from him?”
“If it takes 5 hours for the police to arrive, what am I supposed to do with someone breaking into my house as a 70-year-old widow?”
Even before conducting their first live fire, most students have already begun to see the paradox that gun control has created. Law abiding citizens are being delayed or outright prevented from gun ownership while criminals access a firearm without any difficulties. Fewer “good people with a gun” creates an environment where armed criminals are free to do whatever they choose, and the crime statistics prove this. The same women who four hours before were comfortable saying “nobody needs an AR-15” are now at the point of saying “the government has no right to tell me what I can use to defend myself!” This is how we begin to counter the years of programming and dispelling the falsehood of “reasonable” gun control.
At the end of the day, although the core motivation for why women carry will never change, focusing on helping women understand that their personal reasons for carrying are impacted by laws that prevent them from doing so is vital. As gun owners and Second Amendment advocates, we must help create a supportive environment and encourage them to become active in advocating for their ability to defend themselves and their reasons for “WHY THEY CARRY. “
