Setting the Standard for Women in Firearms | Training. Insights. Intelligence.
A Girl & A Gun began with a simple idea: bring women together at the shooting range. In 2011, firearms instructor Julianna Crowder, based near Austin, Texas, combined her vibrant personality with a passion for teaching marksmanship. That unique blend became the catalyst for what would grow into the nation’s largest women’s shooting league.
Although Julianna was raised around firearms and was married to a Marine and lifelong firearms enthusiast, she didn’t personally dive into shooting until 2004. That year, she embraced competitive shooting sports and self-defense, and began actively participating in IDPA matches. However, she was often the only woman competing. She noticed women were present at the range, but typically as spectators, sitting on the sidelines while their husbands shot. It stood out to her.
At the same time, she was puzzled that few women were enrolling in her concealed carry classes. Curious about the disconnect, she began to investigate. What she uncovered were a host of negative stereotypes, social pressures, and personal hesitations that discouraged women from participating in firearms training. Rather than accept those barriers, she flipped the script — transforming them into welcoming and empowering opportunities.
Julianna envisioned a space where women could explore shooting in a fun, pressure-free environment. One day, the name “A Girl & A Gun” popped into her head. “I loved it because it was me — an everyday girl and her gun sharing the love for the shooting sports,” she recalls.
On February 28, 2011, she hosted the very first Girls Night Out (GNO) at the range. She brought her firearms, ammo, and most importantly, a welcoming attitude. A group of women attended, spending several hours on the range before gathering afterward to socialize, connect, and reflect. When they asked, “When’s the next one?” Julianna answered without hesitation: “Let’s meet in two weeks.” From that spark, A Girl & A Gun® was born!
She decided to host GNO events twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Wanting to collaborate, she reached out to other instructors in the area, many of whom were already organizing events. Renee Blaine joined Julianna, helping to teach new shooters and to establish the LLC for the new organization.
Two weeks later, Robyn Sandoval attended the third GNO. A longtime gun-control advocate, Robyn had only recently become a gun owner and was cautiously exploring self-defense. Nervous but curious, she quickly found a supportive community and was eager to learn. She made new friends, embraced shooting, and became a regular at events. Like many women in the early group, she soon began volunteering and helping the club grow.
Attendance increased organically. Women brought friends and shared their experiences. A grassroots leadership team emerged, including Julianna Crowder (President and Founder), Renee Blaine (Vice President and Co-Founder), Jennifer Galle (Membership Director), Auristela Moctezuma (Secretary), Christy Ross (Member Services), Wende Juarez (Vendor Partners), Marcie Thiessen (Leadership Coordinator), Krystal Kincell (Finance), and Robyn Sandoval (Marketing & Technology). When IDPA featured Julianna in its national newsletter, instructors from across the country reached out to learn how to replicate her model. By September 2011, A Girl & A Gun was a formal membership organization with three chapters in Texas. Just after its one-year anniversary, the league began expanding into other states.
As the club grew, it became clear that greater structure was essential to support the rising number of members and chapters. Robyn stepped forward to build that foundation from the ground up, implementing the systems that propelled the organization forward and drove growth of more than 650% in just 26 months. She developed technology systems, established procedures for launching new chapters, secured partnerships for merchandise, media, and member services, and amplified the league’s voice through a comprehensive marketing plan. As the community continued to evolve, her leadership expanded across additional programs, guiding the organization through each stage of its growth.
“I was told a women’s organization would never thrive because of drama,” Julianna remembers. Determined to defy that stereotype, she brought in performance coach Kelley Moore to work with the Leadership Team. Kelley taught positive communication strategies and leadership tools that became part of AG & AG’s DNA. In 2015, she helped develop the league’s value statements, which would become the heart of the A Girl & A Gun Shooting Journal.
As the league expanded, AG & AG prioritized raising the standard of firearms education across all chapters. In 2017, Tatiana Whitlock joined as National Director of Training. A respected firearms instructor who shared AG & AG’s core values, Tatiana played a pivotal role in developing instructor resources and professionalizing the curriculum. Her contributions led to the relaunch of the Shooting Journal, the creation of new training courses, and the development of scalable programs that set the nationwide standard for women’s firearms training.
In 2022, after more than a decade of pioneering work in the firearms space, Julianna felt her mission was complete. She sold her half of AG & AG to Robyn and turned her focus to the fitness industry, pursuing her passion for Pilates and therapeutic movement. Robyn, honored to carry the mission forward, embraced the opportunity to build on what they had created together.
Robyn led the organization into a new era of development. Committed to protecting the culture that made AG & AG special while building the infrastructure for long-term sustainability, she focused on strengthening both people and process. She formed a National Advisory Board of accomplished women from diverse backgrounds, added key HQ team members, and streamlined operations. In 2023, Sandra Woodruff joined as Chief Operating Officer, and additional staff were hired to support programs and growth. The leadership team implemented systems of clarity, accountability, and alignment that empowered instructors and improved member experiences.
By 2024, A Girl & A Gun was the largest and most influential women’s firearms organization in the country. Membership and training participation continued to surge. AG & AG launched innovative new programs, including Sniper School, DRIFT Academy®, and the AG & AG Marksmanship Programs. The league also introduced its own line of targets and training aids, along with infrastructure to enhance instructor support. To further its #givingback mission, AG & AG partnered with a nonprofit foundation, A Girl & A Gun Legacy, a 501(c)(3), dedicated to building a future facility for the community and memorializing members and friends.
And this is just the beginning! Armed with experience, strong industry relationships, and a national network of talented instructors, A Girl & A Gun continues to redefine what it means to be a woman in the firearms world. The organization proves every day that when women are welcomed, supported, and empowered, they don’t just show up — they lead. With its unwavering mission and growing momentum, A Girl & A Gun is poised for continued success far into the future.
