Ms. Lori P. loads her pistol carefully and thoughtfully, talking through each step aloud as she goes. She's only 5 feet tall, but when she points her firearm at the target - eyes focused, hands steady - she has the power.
The wife and mom of four said when her husband bought her a .22 pistol for her birthday, she was hesitant. "I'm literally afraid of anything that makes loud noises," she said. "I don't like balloons. I don't like champagne, so to think that I could ever shoot a pistol was kind of overwhelming."
However, her feelings of hesitation were overcome by her desire to protect herself and her family, so she decided she would give it a try.
Through educational courses she obtained her concealed carry permit. She said she is getting more accurate each time she practices shooting, and she is constantly working at being a more responsible firearm owner. Her concealed carry instructor said women like Lori are the stores fastest growing demographic. "Women want to carry, so there's a lot of growth in that area and it's kind of exciting," he said.
The latest Crime Prevention Research Center report showed between 2012 and 2018, concealed carry permits for women grew 111 percent faster than for men.
For many years, the firearms industry wasn't necessarily welcoming to women. He said crude images of women posing with guns was the norm. However, that has changed. "Really there's a lot more respect toward the women," he said. "There are a lot more products dedicated and designed specifically for women. There are a few thought leaders when it comes to education for women."Firearms stores aim to meet women at their level - whether they are a competition-level shooter or just starting out. "You can't put a price on your life, you children's life," he said. "When you think about the things going on, it's one of these things where we feel good when someone feels confident."
Lori said she tells as many of her female friends as she can about the benefits of firearm ownership and self-defense. "You may or may not survive a deadly encounter," she said. "That's reality, but at least you have a better chance to survive at least long enough until law enforcement arrives."
Linette M., a 35-year-old nurse and mother of three young children, holds a concealed carry permit (CCW) and it was that weapon that saved her life on October 17, 2013. She had endured unfathomable domestic violence at the hand of her partner, who beat her while she was pregnant, strangled her, fractured her face and even, at one time, tried to set her on fire. There was something different in his eyes, however, when he entered her home that morning, she recalled.
"That night, he set out to kill me," Linette said, noting that the minutes in which he was choking her to the brink of unconsciousness swirled like a fog in her memory. "And then something came over me. It was playing over and over what my babies would do without me. I knew I had to fight with everything I had."
Linette recalled escaping his grip long enough to call out to her mother for help. While she called 911, Linette grabbed her concealed carry weapon from a drawer and fired, while the dispatcher was on the other end.
"It was like something out of the matrix; everything was just floating. It was so weird; something I cannot really put into words," Linette continued. "I had gone into survival mode, but it was his life or mine. And I chose mine."
Linette’s abuser was hit in the thigh. He bled out as police arrived.
The case was sent to the district attorney's office for review, but she never faced charges, and Linette said she was never treated with anything but respect and understanding by authorities. "They treated me like the victim that I was," she said. "I was never treated like a suspect; they allowed me to do my crying."
In Ohio, just a couple of weeks before Linette's gut-wrenching act of survival, Lindsey Charles was forced to flee naked from her home, staggering alone in the snow after being beaten by her partner and father of her then-7-year-old daughter.
It was then she vowed to take protection matters into her own hands and quickly got an emergency CCW permit. She took classes at a local gun range. She gave her new handgun a permanent place in her purse.
"Guns had always intimidated me. I never wanted them around. But I had to do whatever I could to protect myself and my children. It empowered me for sure," Charles told Fox News. "I know not everyone agrees with it, but it is not until you have almost had your life taken that you will do everything in your power not to let it happen."
For the almost two years it took for her former partner to be convicted and put away, the CCW gave Charles a sense of comfort, she explained. With his release slated for this year, she stressed that she no longer feels a sense of being a vulnerable target.
Charles has gone on to found the nonprofit Battered Not Broken to support other survivors of domestic violence – and that support sometimes entails aiding their personal protection plan.
"There is a lot of judgment out there when it comes to gun owners. But I have educated quite a few other women and helped them get their permits, and helped them get guns when they cannot afford it," she said. "As women, we have to empower each other."
With everything from the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic to civil unrest permeating much of the country through the summer, 2020 saw an unprecedented spike in both gun sales and concealed carry permits.
According to FBI data, which does not differentiate between concealed and open carry permits, there were 39,695,315 background checks throughout last year, compared to 28,369,750 in 2019. The highest number of checks was conducted in June 2020 and December 2020.
A study by the Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting shows that the U.S. firearms unit sales in October was estimated at 1.9 million units, a 65% leap from a year earlier. Single handgun sales increased year-over-year by 81%, and single long-gun sales increased by 48% from the past year, per the report.
But the rise was roused long before the tumultuous year that was 2020. The most recent available research, conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2017, shows that women are more likely than their male counterparts to cite protection instead of recreation as the principal reason for owning a firearm. About 27% of women noted protection as the main reason for purchasing a gun, while only 8% of men cited that as a rationale, the survey showed.
Moreover, the Crime Research Prevention Center (CPRC) – a firearms and public safety research group – documented a 34% increase in CCW demand over the past four years.
"Demand is so high that it has overwhelmed many jurisdictions this year, resulting in waiting lines. "Permits for women and minorities continue to increase at a much faster rate than for either men or whites." Furthermore, the quietly armed woman's protracted rise has also revolutionized the industry in other ways – including the realm of fashion and accessories.
For the likes of one founder of a concealed carry accessories line, it comes down to reinforcing the notion of not sacrificing style for safety – ensuring one can go comfortably about their day without the outline of a gun visible in their silhouette.The options are endless – from fanny packs and purses to sports bras, specialized sweaters and dresses with hidden pockets.
It was the owner's own chilling encounter with a criminal that sparked her business endeavor.
"I had a stalker, which is why I got trained and started carrying. He was 6'4" and 290 pounds – he could have easily overpowered me – and truly believed he was going to kill my family and me as he promised," the Indiana native recalled. "I had to do something. Hiding wasn't working, and the police and prosecutors were, at that point, a joke, and I was a sitting duck. I finally decided it was time to stop cowering in the corner and take back some control."
She got trained and bought her first gun and said that it was only then that she could walk out of her front door with a sense of security.
"It changed my life, and I took it back. But I was a business professional, always a purse girl. It was part of my presentation, along with a pair of great shoes. When I started carrying, I couldn't find a good way that went with my lifestyle – most things were very tactical, or screamed 'I'm carrying,' and I couldn't carry on my body without the gun's outline showing," she explained. "But based on the off-body options, I didn't want to carry that way either – and up until recently, there was a lot of, let's say, purse-shamers. So we tended to keep that quiet."
There are now several women-orientated brands of conceal carry purses, backpacks, corsets, holsters, and bullet jewelry – in all types of styles, colors, materials, and price ranges. Coupled with the spike in women carriers is a spike in women-tailored training classes across the country.
"There is a ladies group at a local range, and it's always standing- room-only. Once they find out they control the firearm, feel the recoil, hit the target, they go home and tell their friends and next time bring them along," she said, who is also a trainer. "The other thing is there is a camaraderie among women who carry. There are groups, and there are resources, people to answer questions with, no intimidation."
Nonetheless, all carriers caution that gun ownership is something that should be undertaken only with quality training.
"Women need to be prepared and well-trained; otherwise, that firearm could be used against you," said Sharon Williams, a Minnesota-based domestic violence survivor and advocate, who first obtained her CCW in 2019. "My ex was sly; he knew exactly how long it would take for the police to get to my house and what damage he could do to me."
Given the circumstances, a local police detective advised Williams to get her CCW after all means of security – from extra locks, lights and security cameras – failed as a deterrent. Obtaining the permit, she stressed, changed everything.
"I made a point to put it on Facebook, not because I was bragging but because I wanted him to know I was prepared," Williams added. "I still look over my shoulder, I still live in fear, but I know what to do if he confronts me I know I will be prepared.
Carrying a concealed firearm allows women to defend themselves without drawing the attention of would-be criminals. When put in a situation where self-defense is needed, she will have the right tool to protect her own life or the lives’ of others. With the variety or training, gear and firearms available today, every woman has the ability to take control of her personal defense.
Increased Security
When traveling alone or with a small group in rough areas, those who carry a firearm, as well as those traveling with them, will feel safer knowing that they will have the means to protect themselves in the event they are attacked. Most female concealed carry permit holders carry firearms to be prepared for trouble, not to go seek it out.
Less Vulnerability = More Confidence
As a group, women tend to feel more vulnerable when traveling in unsafe areas or traveling alone. Having the appropriate means to defend themselves will allow them to travel with confidence in areas where they would usually avoid or be anxious when traveling through. Being in charge of one's safety is empowering, and with additional training, confidence will grow even stronger.
Increased Situational Awareness
A concealed carrier is prepared to defend themselves and others in the event of a dangerous situation. With this responsibility comes increased recognition of threats that may be nearby as well as a heightened awareness of their surroundings, including exits and points of safety.
This heightened awareness will help those carrying concealed to respond quickly and effectively to situations that may arise. Once someone has earned their concealed weapons permit, there are follow-on courses that make sense for them to take. These advanced self-defense and firearms courses teach even more in-depth tactical skills, enhancing the combat mindset and overall awareness.
Greater Effectiveness
Before concealed carry permits were available, the primary forms of self-defense for women were pepper spray, whistles, stun guns or other options designed to attract attention to a situation.
While pepper spray can be an effective method of self-defense, it does not always stop the attacker for long and can also blow back in the face of the victim. Likewise, notification defense methods are only effective if there are other people in the vicinity who are willing to help when trouble arises. Knowing that more women are carrying concealed firearms creates an effective deterrent to would-be criminals, who are likely to prey on female victims.
More Options Than Ever Before
There are more styles of firearms available on the market than ever before. These increased options have opened up concealed carry to more women, offering them plenty of options in size, caliber and function of a concealed firearm. No longer are women relegated to carrying either a full-size 1911 or a mini .25 ACP.
Weapons like the Sig Sauer P938 or the Glock 42 (just to name two of many, many choices) offer women a scaled down version of larger firearms, allowing them to train with and use the firearm more efficiently.
Along with the plentiful options in firearms and self-defense tools, there are more learning opportunities as well. Along with any number of practical shooting courses comes self-defense classes, such as Tony Blauer’s SPEAR training, or various martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Krav Maga.
Firearms are also easy to carry and transport since they can easily fit in a glove box or trunk and can be carried close to the body comfortably with the use of a women's concealed carry holster or women's concealed carry clothing options.
When properly secured, a firearm can be worn without risk of accident during almost any outing. Though ladies’ fashion can present a unique challenge to properly concealing a firearm, concealed carrying is becoming easier. More comfortable and concealable options become available all the time, allowing greater ease of use regardless of clothing style and body type.
Whether it is the ability to handle a life or death situation or to feel more safe and confident when traveling alone in less secure areas, women have many reasons to take advantage of concealed carry law. The truth is, this list of reasons for women to carry applies just as much to men as it does women.
Fortunately, our culture has evolved in such a way that women are being included in these traditionally male worlds. This is a benefit not only to women, but to our society as a whole. With more and more women gaining certification to carry concealed, and training in self-defense, the better protected we are as a whole.
Why should women concealed carry
Concealed carry laws have been passed in many states and this has led to an increase in female firearm carriers. There’s no debate about whether or not women need to arm themselves on the streets because the statistics are very clear about it.
1,181 fatalitieswere recorded in cases of murder in 2005. Out of all female murder victims, two-thirds were perpetrated by strangers. With almost 600 women being sexually assaultedevery day in the US, there’s no doubt that women need more protection.
However, in order to carry weapons for self-defense, women need to be aware of concealed carry for firearms. Here are some reasons why women can benefit from concealed carry.
Preparation
The practice of concealed carry enables women to have arms on them while they’re in a vulnerable position. Keeping weapons concealed prevents attracting the attention of potential perpetrators and allows women to safeguard their life and integrity independently.
This way, not only do you protect yourself but also others around you if need be. Firearm training emphasizes heavily on the need and importance of concealed carry. With a certificate course, women will be on their way to becoming their own guardians.
Better Protection
Having a weapon hidden in your bag or your coat offers a sense of safety and relief. Traveling through rough neighborhoods or during late hours can make you feel vulnerable. Carrying the means to defend yourself in a concealed manner allows you to be prepared for any unfortunate event in a legally-compliant manner.
Confident and Invulnerable
Your body language and demeanor says a lot about what you’re thinking. Women are often perceived as weak and vulnerable when they’re feeling fearful of predators lurking in the shadows. This is why it’s important to square your shoulders and raise your chin, even when you’re feeling scared because your body language can give it away. However, what inspires confidence to do that is having a weapon on you for protection. Knowing that you have means of protecting yourself truly empowers you when you’re alone on the streets.
Better Awareness
Having a concealed firearm makes you constantly aware of potential threats in your surroundings. Your sensory receptors become extra alert when you know you’ll have a chance to save your life and property. A heightened awareness of the situation you’re in works well in your favor because you can expect an attack before it happens. This allows you to process the situation faster and react promptly. Our training will also teach you enhanced tactical skills that further hone your awareness of the surrounding.
