Does that AR Come in LV Hot Pink?

Women Are the Fastest-Growing Gun Owner Demographic in America – and the Industry is Shifting to Cater to Their Tastes

by T. “Charlie” Allen

It might come as a surprise to know that women currently make up one of the fastest growing demographics of gun owners and shooters in America. That may be a statement as much about crime and the state of the country as it is about shifting attitudes towards guns and shooting — an area once almost exclusively dominated by men.

In either case, I don’t anticipate this growing affection to slow down anytime soon. And manufacturers are clearly taking notice, creating whole product lines that cater specifically to women. From easy-to-pull slides to bright flashy colors, dollars drive the market. And right now, the market says women are spending money on firearms.

According to firearms industry sources, women made up about 50% of all gun buyers between 2019-2021. And the percentage of Republican women who own a gun rose from 19% in 2007-2012 to 33% in 2019-2024.

With the proliferation of Cerakote, the ceramic coating used on everything from automobiles to firearms, every color of the rainbow is now free game for guns. It probably won’t be long before retailers are offering special colors for holidays…can you picture a red Smith & Wesson Bodyguard pistol, just for Valentine’s Day? How about a pink snubbie for Breast Cancer Awareness month? I guarantee it’s not far from becoming a reality.

Couples are buying matching weapons in different colors, so they can tell them apart. And retailers like BassPro already sell matching ear and eye pro designed to go with brightly-colored firearms. All of this should come as no surprise, as male hunters have been camouflaging rifles for years. This just takes the concept to the next level… 

Recently, I’ve seen training classes pop up that are “for women, by women” -- the idea being that some women are more comfortable learning from other women, which seems reasonable. I believe that any quality training is good training. Note the caveat, “quality.” Bad training, no matter how cheap, or even free, is still bad. So, I applaud these classes as much as I would for men. 

One of the most often-asked questions I get is what firearms do I recommend for women? I actually think this is sort of a ridiculous question. Women are just as capable as men in most cases, so recommending a firearm for a woman is really no different than suggesting one for a man.

Back in the “old” days, we usually recommended revolvers for women. The idea being that there was no slide to rack, and they never jam. And there’s still something to be said for revolvers. They’re easier than some semi-autos to operate. But these days, I tend to stay away from blanket recommendations for firearms based on sex, alone.

The one thing I would definitely not advise is the old “snub-nosed” revolver, such as the .38 Special. At one time, they were commonly carried by law enforcement as a back-up or detective/plain clothes officer’s weapon. But these guns are difficult to shoot without a lot of practice and aren’t very accurate, except at close range. Thus, I don’t suggest them for anyone as a first gun.

There are some semi-automatics on the market that, while not specifically made for women, do “target” them. The Smith & Wesson Shield EZ 380 caliber has the easiest slide pull I’ve ever felt.

The weapon itself is a little larger than some of the micro-compacts on the market, but still a good choice for pretty much anyone. I generally don’t recommend 380-caliber for a self-defense round, but it’s certainly better than nothing. Plenty of bad guys have been stopped with nothing more than a little old .22!

There are so many options of firearms to choose from that trying to pick the best one is nearly impossible. But there are some things to keep in mind when considering which model fits your needs. Are you going to carry the weapon? Or is it strictly a home defense, stay-at-home gun? If you are going to carry it, is it going to be holster-carried or in a purse or bag?

Hand size vs. grip size should be taken into account, as well. Your hand should wrap at least three-quarters of the way around the grip, with your thumb and forefinger coming close to touching. But most of all, you should feel comfortable holding the weapon. And you should feel that you have good control of it. If you don’t get that feeling, the gun may not be right for you.

Are you comfortable pulling the slide back? Some experience using it at the range will help get you more accustomed to the weapon. But initially, you shouldn’t have much difficulty racking the slide. How does the trigger feel? Can you easily pull it? These are all characteristics that a good salesman should discuss with a prospective buyer, regardless of their gender.

Finally, the caliber of the weapon should be part of the conversation. There are of course other considerations that you may want to think about. But a good salesperson will bring up these issues and help you decide which model is best for you.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, keep in mind, that many gun ranges offer rental weapons where you can try out some of your choices. Of course, there’s a fee for this service and you’ll have to purchase or supply your own ammunition for the rental. Make sure you know what kinds of ammunition are allowed before showing up at the range.

While you’re in the store, it’s a great time to inquire about training classes. Like I said, there are classes especially for women, if that appeals to you. Regardless of whether you take a women-only class or a mixed class, the important thing is to be sure you get proper training.

And don’t feel obligated to take that training from the store where you purchased your weapon. Do some research on what courses are available in your area. If you have friends or relatives who shoot or carry a firearm, ask them for recommendations.

Buying and carrying a gun is something to be taken very seriously, no matter if you’re a man or a woman. Owning a firearm can be a great experience and provide comfort, knowing that that you can defend yourself and your family if you need to. But more important than your gender or the gun you choose is how well you’re trained in using the weapon.

This holiday season, I expect women will see a lot more items geared towards their tastes in gun stores and in the firearms sections of retail stores like Bass – as well as more training courses catering specifically to women. I welcome the change, and think women deserve all the attention that the gun community is finally showing them.

A touch of hot pink is a nice addition to the man’s world of cold steel and camouflage. Just make sure that, whatever color strikes your fancy, you learn how to use that weapon properly.

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