Shooting Industry December 2020 Digital Version

Shooting Industry December 2020 Digital VersionWELCOMING MILLIONS Of Women To First-Time Gun Ownership By Laura Evans Back at the beginning of this year, while discussing the approaching presidential election and its impact on the industry, who would have predicted the sharp increase in U.S. gun ownership would have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, a country-wide lockdown and widespread social unrest? Raw fear and uncertainty have fueled everything from toilet paper shortages to ammo scarcity, and now, the reality of more women than ever before becoming firsttime gun owners. The NSSF recently shared survey results disclosing there were “nearly 5 million first- time gun owners in the first seven months of 2020.” It makes sense to me — as a mom and an L.E. wife — amid today’s chaos, women made 40% of the firearms purchased in the first half of 2020. We’re territorial when it comes to our families and loved ones, so any unease we have toward owning guns is far outweighed by our primal urge to protect and preserve our own. Three leaders of the industry’s foremost femalecentric organizations share their insights on today’s trends, and how their groups are addressing the influx of new female firearm owners. Here’s our panel: Carrie Lightfoot, the founder and owner of The Well Armed Woman (TWAW); Karen Butler, president of Shoot Like A Girl; and Robyn Sandoval, executive director of A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting League (AG & AG). 2020’S IMPACT ON WOMEN & GUN OWNERSHIP SI: How has the landscape changed in the past year for female gun owners? Robyn Sandoval: AG & AG has seen a 150% surge in membership over the past 12 months. We recently conducted a survey of more than 6,000 of our members where 40% of the respondents reported involvement with firearms of less than one year, and 23% reported they were the only gun owners in their households. Women are eager to protect themselves and their loved ones through the responsible use of firearms. They’re more educated and equipped than ever before. 52 Shootiinngg IInndduussttrryy DDeecceemmbbeerr 22002200Page 51Page 53

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