The Number Of Women Buying Guns Is On The Rise.

There’s been a dramatic increase in the number of women arming themselves with guns, but it’s not just about protection. Besides the feeling of empowerment, the release of stress and the camaraderie while gripping a firearm, the women of “She Can Shoot” share a much greater bond. “It’s a sport, it’s fun,” said Patti Brennan, member. “I get to relax after a long day.” “When I was 17 in college, I was raped and I swore never again,” said Tess Ailshrie, member. Tina Wilson-Cohen, an NRA certified firearms instructor, founded the all-women’s group locally in 2010. Within 24 hours of going online, 99 women had signed up. Today, more than 1800 woman are members of the group nationally, and dozens more have turned this into a career. “It wasn’t just like, oh, I get to shoot, it was like I really need to protect myself,” Gardner said. All of the members are trained and certified to use firearms and perform tactical shooting. Member Rachelle Gardner said it was a defining moments in her life that convinced her that this group was for her. “My mom was caught in the crosshairs on her way home. She was shot in the head. She survived,” Gardner said. The majority of the women are married, some of which, have children as young as 18 months. Many of them already own their own guns and they say that ear-pairing bang comes pretty natural.”I can’t remember when I didn’t shoot,” Ailshrie said. “My father was a gun instructor.” But for others, it’s a challenge. “It’s scary at first, but then you should be able to overcome that fear and feel like you’re still in control,”.