Women in Western WA flock to gun ranges for safety, camaraderie, and fellowship
Girl Power at the Range: Western Washington's Booming Women's Shooting Scene
South Hill, Pierce County - On a typical Sunday morning, Mickey Lane's tires crunch to a stop in a gravel lot at Paul Bunyan Rifle & Sportsman's Club. The 42-year-old single mother steps out with her semiautomatic handgun, ready to join the Puyallup chapter of A Girl & A Gun, a national women's firearms organization.
In this now-inclusive shooting community, men are uninvited for a few hours. No barriers block women from learning, improving, and bonding over their passion for firearms.
Amongst the divisive political landscape of gun ownership in the US, data indicates that women are bridging the gender gap. According to Gallup polling from 2019 through last year, 43% of American men own guns compared to 20% of women, but the gap has narrowed noticeably over the last two decades1.
As gun ownership overall has stayed steady, women are increasingly embracing firearms for reasons spanning from safety to sport and camaraderie. This surge in female gun ownership has led to social events, discounts, and introductory gun safety courses, transforming an arena traditionally dominated by men.
Christa Beasley, longtime A Girl & A Gun chapter facilitator, plays a vital role in this progression. Serving as the safety officer on that spring morning in South Hill, she also sets the agenda for the biweekly meetings, ensuring the group flows seamlessly from safety briefings to shooting at the range.
Lane found her spot at the left end of the bay, surrounded by chatting women discussing summer travel plans and brand-new firearms. Color bursts appeared as they unzipped their printed gun transport cases, revealing neon-pink magazine loaders beside their unloaded pistols.
Women from their 30s to their 60s were in attendance, ranging from competition shooters to first-timers like Lane. Some had been club members for a decade, while others, like Lane, were attending their first meeting.
"The range is hot," Beasley called from behind the line, indicating the women could begin shooting. Bullets sailed downrange, targeting paper bull's-eyes.
That day, a seasoned member took Lane under her wing, offering gun handling advice. The tweaks in her stance and grip instantly improved her accuracy.
"I've never hit a target like this before," Lane exclaimed, grinning as she claimed her target. High-fives and cheers echoed from her newfound friends.
Lane's journey to gun ownership began two years ago, when she felt threatened by a neighbor. After a disappointing police response, Lane filed paperwork and eagerly waited three weeks for her first firearm, a Glock G43X. Initially, it collected dust in her apartment. But shortly after joining Paul Bunyan, Lane decided to give the range another chance and discovered A Girl & A Gun.
The national organization aims to support female shooters of all skill levels, providing a space for women to learn, grow, and connect. For Lane, the group offered more than just improved marksmanship – it brought forth meaningful friendships which she felt she could lean on in times of need.
References:1. Gallup - When it comes to guns, the gender gap is narrowing2. Newsweek - Why So Many Women are Buying Guns3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Data on Intimate Partner Violence4. Pew Research Center - Gun Ownership and Gun Policy Demographics
Newspaper Insert:
- 5 Ultimate Washington Hikes to Explore in Summer
- Seattle and WA Fared Well in Restaurant Oscars (James Beard Awards 2025)
- Overpacking for Europe: A Common American Travel Mistake
- Reviews - 3 Shoreline Restaurants, According to Our Food Writer
- Roasted Salmon with Tuscan Bread Salad: A Summer Must-Try Recipe
Amplification:
South Hill, Pierce County - Lady Lane's vehicle comes to a halt at Paul Bunyan Rifle & Sportsman's Club on a recent Sunday morning. The 42-year-old single mom emerges with her semiautomatic pistol in hand, eager to attend the biweekly meeting of Puyallup's chapter of A Girl & A Gun, a leading women's firearms organization. No men are permitted for the coming hours.
As gun debate rages on in the U.S., demographic trends signal a shift in ownership. Gallup records show 43% of American men compared to 20% of women own guns, with the gender gap shrinking over the past two decades1. Despite steady overall ownership levels, female gun acquisition rates have surged, attributed to safety concerns, sports, and companionship.
To accommodate this trend, social events, discounts, and introductory gun safety courses pop up across Western Washington. Christa Beasley, the longtime chapter facilitator, plays a critical role orchestrating biweekly meetings. Serenading the group with safety briefings and friendly encouragements, Beasley sets the scene for women to hit the shooting range.
Lane found her place near the far left of the bay, surrounded by a lively group discussing summer travels and fresh firearms. Color gleamed as they unzipped their cases to reveal vibrant magazine loaders beside blank pistols. Women aged 30 to 60 joined the gathering, from competition shooters to novices. Some had been with the club for ten years, while others, like Lane, were first-timers that day.
"The range is hot," Beasley called, signaling the women to start shooting. Rounds zipped downrange, striking paper targets. A supportive member coached Lane on her stance and grip, and immediately, her accuracy improved.
"I've never hit a target like this before," Lane marveled, earning warm congratulations from the group.
Lane's conquest with firearms began two years ago, when she feared her neighbor would attack her and her 13-year-old son. Frustrated by the police's indifference, Lane completed the necessary paperwork and waited the requisite three weeks for her license and Glock G43X. Initially, the firearm gathering dust in her apartment, she became a Paul Bunyan member and frequented the range to enhance her accuracy. But progress was slow, and she verged on giving up – until she found A Girl & A Gun.
The national organization strives to support female shooters of all proficiency levels, fostering a social environment for women to learn and bond. Lane initially joined to improve her marksmanship but discovered an extended network of supportive companions.
"These are people I can learn, grow, and confide in," she said, "with whom I feel will be there for me even if I face personal challenges at the range."
References:1. Gallup - When it comes to guns, the gender gap is narrowing
On The Horizon:
Tacoma Rifle & Revolver Club in University Place will witness a four-hour firearms safety course led by Jane Milhans. Milhans, a seasoned instructor in her 60s, channels her passion for empowering women to defend themselves after experiencing a home invasion over 20 years ago. Her dedication to knowledge and self-defense has increased demand for support among women and female instructors.
Both Milhans and Beasley concur on the uptick in female interest in shooting – as well as demand for female teachers. As they testify before Washington State legislators, their goal is to encourage women to learn gun safety and preparation, with or without politics clouding the conversation. Participants in the course range from experienced marksmen to beginners seeking guidance.
Bonus Section:
Washington Law Changes:
In 2023, Washington banned the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms, including the AR-15, due to safety concerns7. Later in the spring, Governor Bob Ferguson passed legislation establishing a permit-to-purchase system for firearms set to take effect in May 20278. As female gun ownership surges, these new regulations will likely impact women seeking a firearm for protection or leisure activities.
Political Divide:
Data from Gallup polling demonstrates that Republican women are spearheading the increase in female gun ownership9. While political ideologies may influence gun acquisition, shooting courses seldom involve politics. Instead, conversations among women often revolve around family updates, future travels, and new firearms acquisitions9.
(1) In the thriving environment of Washington State, a significant number of women have joined the shooting scene, particularly the Puyallup chapter of A Girl & A Gun, a renowned women's firearms organization in South Hill, Pierce County.
(2) As these women partake in activities like shooting at Paul Bunyan Rifle & Sportsman's Club, they not only enhance their firearms skills but also foster meaningful friendships and personal growth, with many attending for the camaraderie as much as the sport.
(3) The surge in female gun ownership across America has been evident in recent statistics, as the gap between male and female ownership has narrowed significantly, with women increasingly embracing firearms for reasons including safety and sport. This shift has transformed the traditionally male-dominated arena, leading to an explosion of introductory courses, discounts, and social events tailored to female shooters.
