The month of June was one exciting bombshell after another! National Conference tickets are in record demand, instructors are expanding their training and credentials, and the league is evolving and growing. Our members are having a lot of summer fun at the range! Here are some of the highlights:
Conference Pre-Registrations Surpass Record!
Pre-Registration tickets for the 11th Annual A Girl & A Gun National Conference AMPLIFY 2023 Presented by GLOCK went on sale at midnight of June 1st to 2022 attendees. More than 400 spots were purchased in the first 24 hours. Presently 75% of the tickets are sold prior to General Registration opening on September 1st. We are looking at increasing capacity for the 2023 event beyond 550 participants due to demand.
AG & AG Continues to Promote Excellence
In June 2022, more A Girl & A Gun instructors trained with Tom Givens and met his high standards of professional development. We are very proud of our 6 new Rangemaster Certified Instructors and 2 new Rangemaster Certified Advanced instructors.
23 New USCCA Instructors in AG & AG Leadership
A Girl & A Gun is proud to announce that 23 women from 9 different states traveled to West Bend, WI, for training. These AG & AG leaders became Certified Instructors for the Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals curriculum of the USCCA. By successfully completing the course, the instructors may use the materials to educate the growing numbers of enthusiastic gun owners in their home communities.
AG & AG Adds 4 New NSCA Instructors
Four A Girl & A Gun leaders earned their shotgun instructor certification from the National Sporting Clays Association! Theresa Schneider, Julie Fingeroos, Krystal Schmidt, and Stephanie Soendker earned their NSCA Level I instructor certificate from David Miller (Owner of Miller Shooting Sports, Guinness World Record Holder, and Product Manager of CZ-USA).
Growing the Front Lines of School Safety
A Girl & A Gun was an official Partner of the 5th Annual National Train A Teacher Day on Saturday, June 18, 2021. Several AG & AG chapters offered free Refused to Be a Victim and Basic Handgun training for teachers, staff, and administrators. This photo is from the Beaufort County SC Chapter, who trained several teachers that day.
A Girl & A Gun Founder Announces Retirement
Julianna Crowder hosted the first A Girl & A Gun (AG & AG) Girls Night Out on February 28, 2011. She partnered with Robyn Sandoval, and together they grew AG & AG to be the nation’s premier women’s training organization. Crowder notified AG & AG members that June 30th was her last day with the organization. Read more >
Always Appreciating Our Members
June was the final month of the 2nd Quarter, so we had another Member Appreciation Giveaway drawing! Amy from North Coast OH and Shannon from Sarasota FL both won Black Nitride Undercover .38 Special Revolvers from Charter Arms! Linda from Baton Rouge LA wan an AG & AG TSA-Approved Pistol Case and Vallee from Hot Springs AR won a concealed carry purse from GTM! Olivia from Baltimore MD won a kit of AG & AG range gear! Thank you to our members and thank you to our sponsors for making this quarterly giveaway possible!
Victory for the Second Amendment
A Girl & A Gun was proud to be a filed “friend of the Court” in the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen case. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled with Justice Clarence Thomas writing for the Majority saying Americans have a two-part right to “keep” guns in their homes and “bear” them in public. Further, AG & AG Executive Director Robyn Sandoval was also part of two other Amicus Briefs that were cited in Opinions by Justices Thomas and Alito. As a result of the Bruen ruling, the Court sent a number of cases back to Appeals Courts to be reviewed, among them are AR bans and mag limits. We will continue to stand and fight for our rights.
Saying “I Do” in AG & AG Fashion
Congratulations to Linette and Taylor! Our West Milwaukee WI Chapter Facilitator said “I Do” to her amazing husband surrounded by AG & AG sisters. The ceremony officiant was Starla Batzko, Sheboygan County WI Chapter Facilitator. After the first kiss as husband and wife, the couple walked through an AG & AG shotgun arch! The Saukville WI, Kettle Moraine WI, and West Milwaukee WI Chapters were in attendance.
By the Numbers
- In June 2022, AG & AG hosted 293 chapter events with 1,577 attendees (+14% since over last June).
- We had 3 virtual events with 1,239 video views!
- 484 new membership packets were mailed from HQ (+1.25% over last June).
- 2 new chapters were opened: Southeast KY and New River NC.
- We grew to 10,251 subscribers on our smartphone app (+39%).
- VIP Registration for Conference opened June 1st and 420 (76%) spots are sold. General registration opens 9/1.
Local Training and Media Highlights
Here are local news and media highlights for June 2022:
The Northeast TN Chapter hosted a GLOCK Day with their rep, Doug Lesch. There were 25 ladies in attendance for this fun and informative event!
The League City TX Chapter hosted a special event with Larry St Clair, a 4-hour class on “Self & Knife Defense” as well as a discussion of the AG & AG Push Up Challenge!
The North Austin TX Chapter Facilitator Sandra Woodruff earned her NRA Training Counselor Certification! Sandra was one of 2 women in a class of 12 who were invited to attend this advanced course.
The Sherwood OR Chapter conducted its first Quarterly Match with 11 competitors! Shout-out to Lisa for earning her AG & AG Trainer Certification!
The Portage MI Chapter attended Lee Weems’ workshops. When they did a head-to-head shootout, the AG & AG ladies took 1st through 4th place in a class of 15 shooters!
The Columbia MO Chapter hosted a GLOCK Day with their rep, Phil Goldsmith, who told them about GLOCKs and had several models for them to shoot!
The Broward County FL Chapter hosted an AG & AG Shooting Journal & Dry Fire Clinic and a Pistol Cleaning Clinic. Thank you to Breakthrough Clean for the cleaning products!
The Lufkin TX Chapter attended their first sanctioned IDPA tier 3 match!
The Yukon OK Chapter hosted a New Member Orientation with a gun-related word search and range bag bingo!
The San Antonio TX Chapter volunteered near Uvalde TX at Trinity Oaks Ranch 1st Annual Gold Star Moms event to teach moms gun safety and marksmanship basics. Each woman stated they had less fear, were more empowered with knowledge and courage.
The Northern CO Chapter welcomed Tatiana Whitlock for 3 classes!
The Big Horn Basic WY Chapter hosted U.S. Law Shield for informative discussions on the Castle Doctrine, justified use of force, and other topics as they relate to Wyoming law.
The Endless Mountains PA Chapter held their first GNOs with 15 new members!
The Chattahoochee Valley AL Chapter launched with their first events and new members joining!
The North Austin TX Chapter hosted a very informative Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event (CRASE) presented by A-Team member, Riley McClendon.
The Central WI Chapter is growing, and women are joining them for their first time at the range! They love seeing the newbies’ confidence grow!
The Hot Springs AR Chapter discussed the Tueller Principle, situational awareness, and “how close is to close?” Several ladies new to shooting were outstanding!
The Cortland OH Chapter hosted a Project Appleseed rifle clinic in June.
The Richmond VA Chapter hosted GNOs in June, but also hosted a clinic on “Protecting Your Shoulders” with a Physical Therapist and Certified Personal Trainer.
The Sierra Foothills CA Chapter volunteered for clean-up duty at the Annual Nevada County Friends of NRA Event.
The Davenport IA Chapter introduced the AG & AG Quarterly Match to their members.
Robyn Sandoval was a co-host on the Polite Society Podcast presented by the Second Amendment Foundation.
Robyn Sandoval was cited in an Amicus Brief by the IWLC. The brief was cited twice by Justice Alito in his concurring Opinion in the Bruen case. Read more >
Dayton OH Chapter Facilitator Alecia Roberson was featured on her local NBC affiliate. See more >
About A Girl & A Gun
A Girl & A Gun (AG & AG) is a membership organization whose events are successful stepping stones for thousands of women entering the shooting community by fostering their love of shooting with caring and qualified instructors who coach them. AG & AG breaks barriers for women and girls in self-defense, and in pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooting sports by welcoming beginners to learn the basics of safe and accurate shooting and providing experienced shooters with advanced-level opportunities. The club has members in all 50 states and hosts recurring Girl’s Nights Out at more than 200 ranges throughout the United States.
For more information about A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting League, or to learn how to join, please visit AGirlandAGun.org. Follow AG & AG on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest for social media and corporate news.
