Written by Cheryl Molinet

Every day there is another murder, rape, break in, carjacking, or worse, a child abduction. The rising number of women seeking to learn how to protect themselves is indicative to this increased exposure to crime. Women are choosing to learn self-protection not only for themselves but also for the protection of their friends and family. Knowledge of self-protection allows a feeling of confidence and safety in your environment.

My dad was a retired cop which meant it was mandatory I grew up being comfortable around weapons. One night in August of 1977, my dad was shot and murdered by three men. This event scarred me enough to never want to touch a gun again. It was not until 2017, when my Nephew asked me how I protected myself, that I began to rethink my position. That question stirred a long conversation that eventually brought me back to the shooting community as well as convinced me that I needed a firearm for self-protection. Since that conversation, I have taken several classes, joined a women’s shooting club, and have participated in several shooting events such as competitions and defensive classes. All of which have helped build up my sense of self-protection and confidence. Participating in shooting events has helped me to learn to shoot under stress. Learning to shoot under stress has helped me develop how to react properly if ever I were in such a defensive situation. Every chance I get to become more proficient empowers me to trust that I have the tools needed for proper self-defense.  

One of the most popular forms and most effective methods of self-defense is being proficient with a firearm. Many women find shopping for a firearm overwhelming. In this article I will walk you through some considerations so you can make an informed decision and find the gun that is right for you.

Purpose – Before you start your decision-making process, consider what you want to do with a firearm.  

• Do you need it for self-defense? 

• Are you considering conceal carry?

• Will you want to use it for target shooting?

• Are you considering shooting competitively?

If you said yes to everything on this list, prioritize the items from most important to least important. Keep your top purpose highlighted as you set out on your journey. Your purpose will help guide your research and help you narrow down your options. 

Look – Rent and fire all weapons you think you might like. Just because you recognize the maker of a firearm does not mean it is a good gun for you or your purpose. Do not purchase based on only appearance or brand loyalty. Check the internet by searching for “firearms for women”.   

Feel – Find a weapon that is proportionate to your physical features. Most women’s hands are not as large a man’s hand and most weapons are made for men. You want to find a gun that fits properly in your hand with no room for gaps in your grip and allows you to manipulate all the functional mechanisms. Remember the purpose for your firearm, e.g., conceal carry, target, self-defense? Firearms for Concealed Carry are usually smaller with a short grip to aid in concealability. A smaller grip means less grip surface for holding on to which could lead to more felt recoil and could feel less uncontrollable when shooting. Larger handguns are used more for competitive and target shooting. They can be perceived as heavy and big, for beginners. These may be heavy and exhausting to hold but they tend to be better balanced and can absorb much more recoil. 

Costs - Consider 9mm as the type of ammunition you will use. It can be used for training and defense. It is also reasonably priced which allows you to train more often which is an important consideration.

Listen – Do NOT buy the first gun suggested to you. Opinions are nice to have but yours is the most important one. Talk with friends who have gone through the selection process, ask an expert, consult with trainers who are familiar with training women. However, at the end of the day, the most important opinion is yours….trust your intuition.

Practice - Go to a range, gun shop and start shooting. Let them know what your purpose is for the firearm. Ask questions, take notes on each and include prices so you can compare the specs when you get home. Hold them to feel them in your grip. Rack them by gripping the slide and pulling it all the way back then release it. Some firearms are more difficult to rack than others so make sure you can do it without assistance. Shoot as many of your selections as possible with live ammo on a range. That is the only way you will know if you like the way it feels and what the recoil is like. Take your time in making your selection. The last thing you want is to purchase a weapon and not like it because it will not increase your confidence.

Reflect – Consider if you are willing to accept responsibility for any action taken with a weapon. Become familiar with the gun laws in your state and county. Be willing to seek firearm training. Learn the responsibility to maintain a properly functioning firearm. Once you’ve been properly trained by a professional instructor, practice and refine the skills you’ve learned.

Stay safe, build confidence and empower yourself.  

Knowledge alone without practical application is useless. Take action NOW and CLICK HERE for a free download of the 6 Critical Keys to Why you Must get Professional Firearms Instruction.

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