Setting the Standard for Women in Firearms | Training. Insights. Intelligence.

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16 Women Prove Their Strength at A Girl & A Gun Combatives Camp

Sixteen women gathered at Martial Way Legacy in Austin for A Girl & A Gun’s three-day Combatives Camp, where they practiced realistic self-defense techniques, ground defense, ambush escapes, weapons retention, and other close-contact skills. Through scenario-based training and physical challenges, they built strength, confidence, and resilience, proving that they were willing to fight, adapt, and never give up.

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August 2026 Recap

A Girl & A Gun expanded its national impact in August, with 2,794 women participating in 460 chapter events, an 18.49% increase over last year, as membership reached 35,804 women and five new chapters opened nationwide. The month showcased the remarkable breadth of the organization’s influence, from advanced Sniper School training, where more than half of the participants successfully engaged a target at one mile, to instructor development, purposeful marksmanship programs, and exclusive research revealing how women invest in sporting clays equipment. With 594,385 social media views, more than 118,000 website views, and 31,382 unique visitors, A Girl & A Gun continued to educate, connect, and inspire women across the shooting sports. Explore August’s training insights, market research, member achievements, and national highlights below.

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A Girl & A Gun Celebrates National Shooting Sports Month

A Girl & A Gun chapters nationwide celebrated NSSF’s National Shooting Sports Month by welcoming women to the range for firearms education, skill development, friendly competition, and community. Several members were also featured on NSSF’s social media pages, earning national recognition while demonstrating the growing influence of women as participants, mentors, instructors, competitors, and leaders in the shooting sports. #letsgoshooting

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A Girl & A Gun Sniper School Combines Riflecraft and Fieldcraft in Training Designed for Women

Seventeen women took on four intensive days of long-range shooting, fieldcraft, observation, and teamwork at A Girl & A Gun Sniper School in Raton, New Mexico. By the end of the program, more than half had successfully engaged a target at one mile, an extraordinary achievement that reflected far more than marksmanship. Each hit represented reliable data, careful problem-solving, confident communication, and the determination to keep learning as the challenges grew.

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July 2026 Recap

A Girl & A Gun continued to expand its impact on women’s firearms training and the shooting sports in July, with 2,600 women participating in 406 chapter events nationwide, a 19.1% increase over last year, as membership grew to 35,503 women. From firearms education, leadership development, and hands-on training for women gun owners to the sixth annual Women’s Clays Extravaganza, where 107 female shooters from 12 states engaged 26,094 registered targets, the month demonstrated the growing participation and influence of women across the firearms community. A Girl & A Gun also published new firearms industry data examining how women influence firearm and accessory purchases, develop brand loyalty, upgrade their handguns as their skills progress, and select trusted rifles, optics, gear, and training equipment. With 430,909 social media views, more than 107,000 website views, and nearly 16,000 active app users in July, the data offers a compelling look at the growing community of female gun owners, competitive shooters, firearms instructors, and women shaping the future of the shooting sports. Explore the latest A Girl & A Gun statistics, women’s firearms market research, training insights, gear data, and event highlights below.

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Finally, a Clear Picture of the Women’s Sporting Clays Market

Discover exclusive data on what women sporting clays competitors are actually buying. At the 2026 A Girl & A Gun Women’s Clays Extravaganza, 107 women from 12 states participated in a comprehensive Gear Check, creating one of the most detailed datasets available on women’s purchasing decisions in the shooting sports. From shotgun brands like Beretta, Syren, and Browning to performance eyewear, hearing protection, shooting vests, shell pouches, and accessories, the findings reveal how experienced women invest in equipment that improves comfort, fit, and competitive performance. As one of the largest women-only registered NSCA sporting clays events, the Women’s Clays Extravaganza provides manufacturers, retailers, and industry partners with valuable market insights into the fastest-growing segment of competitive shooting. Explore the trends shaping women’s sporting clays equipment purchases and learn what this benchmark data reveals about the future of the shooting sports industry.

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What Women Want from Their Pistols: Insights from Gear Check Data

What can a woman’s pistol tell you about her journey as a shooter? More than you might think. Drawing on A Girl & A Gun’s Gear Check data, this article examines the predictable progression of the upgrades women make and what those choices reveal about training, purchasing behavior, and skill development. Whether you’re an instructor helping students make smart equipment decisions or a manufacturer designing the next generation of products, these insights offer a data-informed look at how women invest in gear that supports meaningful progress, not passing trends.

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A Girl & A Gun Women’s Clays Extravaganza Opens Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch’s New Home with Historic First Registered Shoot

The 6th Annual A Girl & A Gun Women’s Clays Extravaganza brought 107 women from 12 states to Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch in Joshua, Texas, July 17-19, 2026, for a record-setting weekend of competition and training. As the first registered National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) event hosted at Defender’s new facility, competitors shot more than 26,000 registered targets while women of every experience level, from first-time competitors to Master Class shooters, participated in competitive events and optional instructional clinics. The event highlighted A Girl & A Gun’s mission to grow women’s participation in the shotgun sports by providing a welcoming environment for learning, competition, and community.

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The Firearms Industry Has an Attribution Problem

Traditional customer data tells manufacturers who bought a firearm, but it rarely reveals who influenced the purchase. New survey data from A Girl & A Gun shows that while women are increasingly purchasing firearms and accessories under their own names, many also shape buying decisions that are ultimately recorded under someone else’s account. The findings suggest that experienced women shooters serve as trusted product advisors within their families and communities, creating an important gap between transaction data and the real customer journey. For firearms manufacturers, retailers, and marketers, understanding this hidden layer of influence can improve customer insights, partnership strategies, and marketing decisions. Learn how women’s purchasing behavior and peer recommendations are reshaping the firearms industry—and why recognizing both the purchaser and the product advisor may provide a competitive advantage.

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The AG & AG Effect: How Experience Transforms Women’s Firearm Choices

Every firearm purchase tells the story of a shooter’s evolving journey. What begins with a first handgun often grows into a collection of firearms selected for concealed carry, home defense, training, competition, and recreation. Along the way, experience becomes the most valuable guide, shaping opinions about performance, reliability, ergonomics, and the brands that earn lasting trust. Recent A Girl & A Gun member surveys reveal how women make those decisions, showing that hands-on experience, trusted relationships, and a supportive community have far greater influence on purchasing behavior than advertising alone. The findings offer valuable insight into how firearm manufacturers can earn not only a customer’s first purchase, but also her long-term loyalty.

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June 2026 Recap

June demonstrated that A Girl & A Gun continues to grow not only in size, but also in influence. Across the country, 2,550 women participated in 429 chapter events, an 11.7% increase over last year, while two new chapters launched in Western Maine and Ponderay, Idaho, expanding opportunities for women to train and connect close to home. The organization also invested deeply in developing leaders through two premier national training experiences: the Rifle Retreat, where 70 women completed an intensive AR-15 instructor development program, and DRIFT Academy, where participants sharpened vehicle survival, personal protection, and tactical decision-making skills under expert instruction. Beyond live training, A Girl & A Gun continued to serve both its members and the broader firearms community by publishing a steady stream of educational training resources alongside market intelligence that helps the industry better understand the rapidly growing women’s market. That leadership reached a national audience, generating more than 342,000 social media views, attracting over 25,000 unique website visitors, and engaging nearly 15,800 active app users. With membership surpassing 35,000 women and nearly 700 new membership packets mailed from headquarters during the month, June reflected an organization that is strengthening local communities, advancing instructor excellence, and shaping the future of women’s participation in the shooting sports.

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A Girl & A Gun Announces 2nd Quarter 2026 Member Appreciation Giveaway Winners

Each quarter, A Girl & A Gun randomly selects four members and one Chapter Facilitator for the Member Appreciation Giveaway Drawing as a small way to say thank you to the women who make this organization so special. Whether attending local chapter events, pursuing advanced training, or encouraging fellow members along the way, every woman who participates helps strengthen the community that makes A Girl & A Gun unique. Congratulations to our 2nd Quarter 2026 Member Appreciation Giveaway winners!

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The Most Valuable Endorsement: A Girl & A Gun’s Instructor Gear Report

Every firearms manufacturer wants to understand the same thing: what turns a product into a trusted recommendation. Sales data captures the transaction, but it doesn’t explain why one rifle, optic, or piece of gear stays in service while another gets replaced, or why certain brands become the ones instructors recommend year after year. The 2026 A Girl & A Gun Rifle Retreat offered a rare opportunity to examine that question by looking beyond purchase decisions to professional use. Seventy accomplished women firearms instructors arrived with the rifles, optics, apparel, and support equipment they rely on every week, providing a snapshot of the brands that have earned lasting trust through real-world training, not marketing claims.

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Beyond the Gun Counter: How Women Actually Decide What to Buy

Walk into any gun store and you’ll find rows of firearms, optics, holsters, and accessories. For someone new to shooting, the range of choices is exciting and overwhelming. The industry has worked hard to serve women better: manufacturers have expanded their lines, retailers have grown more intentional about how they engage female customers, and marketing aimed at women has expanded significantly over the past decade. Those changes have brought more women into the shooting sports. They also raise a question worth answering: what actually influences a woman’s decision to buy a firearm?

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Save the Date: Back the Women in Blue Returns November 10-13, 2026

Dates announced! The 10th Annual Back the Women in Blue training event will take place November 10-13, 2026, at the Round Rock Public Safety Training Center in Round Rock, Texas. The event begins with a Welcome Dinner on November 10, followed by three full days of world-class instruction in firearms, defensive tactics, professional development, and leadership.

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Trending Data Among Women First-Time Gun Owners – 2025 Update

The growth of women in the firearms community has become one of the defining shifts in the shooting industry over the past several years. Headlines often focus on record firearm sales, but the more meaningful story begins after a woman purchases her first firearm. Why she decided to buy, what motivates her to seek training, and what keeps her engaged offer a much clearer picture of where our industry is headed.

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Hiding in Plain Sight: What a Disney+ Profile Taught Me About Women, Data, and the Firearms Industry

What started as a conversation about streaming services quickly became a much bigger question about how companies understand their customers. If Disney believes my partner spent a month binge-watching The Punisher because I watched it through his profile, how many other assumptions are being made about the people behind shared accounts, household purchases, and family spending decisions? The more I thought about it, the more I wondered whether some of the most influential women in the firearms industry may be hiding in plain sight, not because companies aren’t paying attention, but because the data may not be telling the whole story.

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Women Push Beyond the Limits at DRIFT Academy

Sixteen women from across the country gathered at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for three days of intensive vehicle survival, personal protection, and tactical decision-making training during the 2026 DRIFT Academy, held June 9–11 at the world-renowned motorsports facility near Danville, Virginia.

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From First Shot to Industry Leader: What Data Reveals About Retention, Customer Value, and Leadership Development

The shooting sports industry has long measured growth through participation, but attendance alone does not explain who remains engaged, develops advanced skills, and becomes a leader within the community. Analysis of A Girl & A Gun training and membership data reveals that women follow a remarkably consistent path: they are introduced through relationships, gain confidence through quality instruction, and advance through structured training that transforms initial interest into long-term involvement. The findings suggest that sustainable industry growth is driven not simply by participation, but by progression.

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May 2026 Recap

This month 700 women gathered at UNITE 2026 for 4 days of training, competition, and community, demonstrating the strength and momentum of the A Girl & A Gun movement. Across the country, 2,297 women participated in 400 chapter events during May, a 17.6% increase over last year, while 2 new chapters opened in Asheville, NC, and Jackson, MS, extending opportunities for women to connect and grow. The organization’s reach also continued to expand beyond the range, generating more than 462,000 social media views and engaging a national audience that looks to A Girl & A Gun for education, leadership, and insight. Together, these milestones reflect more than organizational growth. They represent a thriving community of nearly 35,000 women whose participation is strengthening the shooting sports, influencing the industry, and empowering more women than ever before to develop confidence, competence, and leadership through firearms training.

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Helping Heart O’ the Hills Write Its Next Chapter

There are moments when your past and your purpose come together in unexpected ways. This is one of those moments for me. Through A Girl & A Gun’s partnership with Ruger, I am thrilled to share that we are donating 20 Ruger American Rimfire Compact rifles to Heart O’ the Hills as the camp begins its next chapter at its new home. For me, this is more than a donation. It is a chance to help give back to a place that gave me so much.

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Women and Real-World Gear Choices: 2026 AG & AG National Conference Report

Every year, A Girl & A Gun’s National Conference delivers one of the clearest snapshots of how women are training, competing, and preparing across the firearms community. More than 700 women participated in UNITE 2026, generating one of the largest real-world firearms equipment datasets focused exclusively on women shooters in the United States. During the event’s Gear Check process, participants logged 783 pistols along with rifles, shotguns, optics, support gear, and safety equipment, providing valuable insight into the firearms and products women trust most on the range.

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Tiny Screws, Big Problems: What 3 Years of Data Reveals About Firearms Reliability

Firearms have never been more capable, but three years of gunsmith support data from A Girl & A Gun National Conferences suggest the industry’s biggest reliability challenges may no longer originate inside the firearm itself. Optics, batteries, mounting systems, modular holsters, and increasingly customized equipment configurations are reshaping what reliability means for today’s shooters, instructors, and manufacturers. As firearms evolve into interconnected systems rather than standalone tools, even the smallest components, from battery contacts to mounting screws, can create disproportionately large operational consequences.

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April 2026 Recap

A Girl & A Gun continued its strong momentum in April 2026, marked by growth in membership, training participation, digital engagement, and national recognition. The organization reached 34,736 total members, including 9,036 active members, while nearly 2,500 women participated in 412 chapter events nationwide. Social media views surged more than 49% compared to last year, app activity climbed over 11%, and new chapters launched in Chandler AZ and Washington County RI. From high-profile conversations about the rise of female gun ownership to leadership programs strengthening local communities, A Girl & A Gun continued to expand its national impact. The organization also gained significant visibility at the NRA Annual Meeting through media appearances, partner engagement, and collaborative product opportunities. Overall, April underscored A Girl & A Gun’s role as a leading force advancing women in the firearms community.

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A Girl & A Gun’s UNITE 2026 National Conference Brings 700 Women Together for Four Days of Training, Competition, and Community

A Girl & A Gun hosted UNITE 2026, the organization’s 14th Annual National Conference, April 30 through May 3, 2026, at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex near Grand Junction. The event welcomed 700 women from across the United States for four days of immersive firearms training, competitive shooting, personal development, and camaraderie.

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A Girl & A Gun Leadership Day Equips Chapter Leaders to Scale Community Impact Nationwide

A Girl & A Gun hosted more than 200 chapter leaders from across the country for its annual Leadership Day at the historic Avalon Theatre in downtown Grand Junction, bringing together the organization’s leadership network for a full day of strategic planning, business development, and collaborative growth initiatives. While A Girl & A Gun is widely recognized for its instructor development programs and firearms training opportunities, Leadership Day focused on an equally important component of long-term success: equipping chapter facilitators and instructors with the leadership, operational, and business strategies needed to grow thriving local communities.

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A Girl & A Gun Spotlighted in National Discussion on the Rise of Female Gun Ownership

TheGunMag.com featured A Girl & A Gun in a national article examining the continued rise of female firearm ownership and participation in training across the United States. The article, titled “New Report Says Data Points to Rise in Female Gun Ownership,” written by journalist Dave Workman, highlights emerging research showing that women are one of the fastest-growing segments of the firearms community.

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Making Shooters Better Podcast: A Personal Journey from Fear to Firearms Advocacy

Robyn Sandoval, President and CEO of A Girl & A Gun joined Terry Vaughan on the Making Shooters Better podcast for a candid conversation about personal growth, firearms training, and the changing face of the shooting sports industry. Sandoval shared her personal journey from being uncomfortable around firearms to leading one of the nation’s most influential organizations dedicated to women’s firearms education and empowerment.

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