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

All Articles & Videos

Instructor Mastermind 3Q2026

The hardest moments in firearms instruction are rarely about the drill. They are about people. What do you do when a student repeatedly struggles with a safety standard, fatigue changes performance, a spectator begins coaching, or an experienced shooter challenges your instruction? More importantly, what do you actually say? This Instructor Mastermind session introduces a practical four-stage framework: Correct. Accommodate. Remove. Resolve. Through real-world scenarios, instructor language, and group discussion, we explore how to make difficult range decisions with confidence and professionalism while protecting safety, instructional quality, and individual dignity. Warmth in the delivery. Clarity in the words. Safety in the boundary.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

More Than Marksmanship: Tatiana Whitlock’s Approach to Teaching

What makes a great firearms instructor? It takes far more than marksmanship. At A Girl & A Gun, Director of Training Tatiana Whitlock has built a comprehensive instructor development program that teaches women not just how to shoot, but how to teach. Through Train-the-Trainer, teachbacks, mentorship, and ongoing education, the organization is redefining firearms instructor training by equipping women with the coaching, communication, and leadership skills needed to develop confident, capable shooters in communities across the country.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

A-Team Huddle July 2026

If you missed the July A-Team Huddle, this is one recording worth going back to watch. Our chapters are growing, more women are engaging with A Girl & A Gun, and that momentum creates an incredible opportunity for each of us as leaders. This huddle is about how we turn that opportunity into stronger chapters, deeper connections, and experiences that make women want to come back, get involved, and continue growing. It is also a reminder that the little things we do as A-Teamers, from the way we welcome someone to the way we communicate an upcoming event, can have a lasting impact on a member’s confidence and sense of belonging. As we head into one of our busiest seasons of the year, take some time to watch the recording, gather a few ideas, and think about how your A-Team can make the next chapter experience even better than the last.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Facilitator Forum July 2026

The July Facilitator Forum brought Chapter Facilitators together for an important conversation about where A Girl & A Gun is headed and how local leadership continues to shape that momentum. With participation growing, new training pathways taking shape, national events expanding, and preparations already underway for 2027, the discussion went well beyond routine updates. Facilitators explored how to strengthen member engagement, develop more capable shooters and instructors, communicate more effectively with different personalities, build stronger A-Teams, and turn national programs into meaningful opportunities at the chapter level. The Forum offered a valuable look at the decisions, resources, and leadership priorities moving the Sisterhood forward.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

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.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

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.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Chapter Growth & Support: A-Team Huddle June 2026

The A-Team Huddle is one of the best ways to stay connected to what’s happening across A Girl & A Gun. Each month, Robyn and the HQ team share updates on chapter growth, upcoming programs, leadership opportunities, new resources, and the successes being celebrated throughout the organization. It’s also a chance to better understand the bigger picture behind the decisions, initiatives, and investments being made to support our chapters. Whether you’re helping at events, mentoring members, or simply looking for ways to contribute more effectively, these conversations provide useful information, practical ideas, and a clearer understanding of how your efforts fit into the larger mission of empowering women through education, training, and community.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Building Better Chapters: Facilitator Forum June 2026

The June Facilitator Forum was packed with valuable updates, leadership guidance, and practical ideas that can help you strengthen your chapter and better serve your members. From insights gathered at the National Conference and the release of our annual Gear Report to chapter growth strategies, leadership development opportunities, and important policy updates, this month’s forum covered information that directly impacts chapter success. If you missed the live session, taking time to watch the recording will ensure you’re up to date on the latest resources, initiatives, and expectations that can help your chapter thrive.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Book Club: Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

What if the best way to learn is not by making practice easier, but by making it harder? In this month’s Book Club discussion of Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, members explore the surprising science behind how skills are actually developed and retained. Through candid conversations about firearms training, aviation, healthcare, sports, and personal growth, participants discover why struggle, failure, reflection, and varied practice are often the keys to lasting improvement. Whether you’re a student, instructor, competitor, or lifelong learner, this engaging discussion offers practical insights that can transform the way you approach training, performance, and mastery.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Instructor Mastermind 2Q2026

The Instructor Mastermind series is quickly becoming one of the most valuable leadership development opportunities within A Girl & A Gun. In this session, instructors from across the country shared real-world successes, challenges, and lessons learned while delivering our New Shooter, Holster Skills, and Red Dot programs. The conversation explored what it takes to build confident shooters, navigate competing influences in students’ training journeys, overcome learning plateaus, and create meaningful transformation through effective coaching. Whether you’re a newly certified instructor or a seasoned leader, the insights shared during this mastermind offer practical strategies you can immediately apply in your own classes. If you’re looking to strengthen your instructional skills, connect with fellow leaders, and better understand how to develop shooters rather than simply teach shooting, future Instructor Mastermind sessions are well worth attending.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

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.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Together We Grow: May 2026 A-Team Huddle

This month’s A-Team Huddle delivered a valuable mix of organizational updates, leadership insights, and practical tools that facilitators and A-Team members can immediately put into action. From celebrating record growth and national recognition to discussing strategies for increasing event participation, improving chapter visibility, and maximizing social media impact, the conversation offered a clear look at where the organization is headed and how local leaders play a vital role in that success. These monthly gatherings provide an opportunity to stay informed, share ideas, learn from fellow leaders, and gain the tools needed to build stronger, more connected chapter communities.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

From Visibility to Growth: May 2026 Facilitator Forum

A Girl & A Gun continues to grow at an impressive pace, and this month’s Facilitator Forum offered an inside look at the strategies helping fuel that momentum. From membership growth and national recognition to practical tools for increasing chapter participation, the meeting was packed with insights every chapter leader can put to work immediately. Leaders heard updates on the organization’s expanding influence in the firearms industry, celebrated the accomplishments of members and facilitators across the country, and learned why simple things can have a powerful impact on recruitment and retention. Whether you’re looking for ideas to strengthen communication, attract new members, showcase sponsor relationships, or build a more engaged chapter community, this forum delivered actionable takeaways that can help your chapter thrive.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Leadership Keynote: “Finding Her Voice”

In her keynote address at the 2026 A Girl & A Gun National Conference Leadership Banquet, Tatiana Whitlock reminded more than 200 chapter leaders and facilitators that their true purpose extends far beyond teaching shooting skills. Drawing from both range experiences and a personal story about her young daughter finding her voice while protecting a wandering chicken, Whitlock emphasized that the most meaningful moments in leadership occur when women discover confidence, authority, and personal empowerment for themselves. She challenged leaders to focus not only on operational excellence and intentional leadership, but also on creating environments where women can reclaim their strength, overcome fear, and step fully into their capabilities. Ultimately, her message framed A Girl & A Gun’s mission as transformational rather than transactional, arguing that facilitators are not simply teaching marksmanship, but helping women across the country find freedom, confidence, and their voice.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Teaching Ready Positions

Ready positions are often treated like a starting point. In reality, they’re a decision point. In this instructor development video, Tatiana Whitlock dives deep into “Ready Positions: The Intersection of Safety, Context, and Decision-Making” a critical lesson for A Girl & A Gun leadership and instructors who are ready to raise their standard.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

A-Team Huddle April 2026

Every month, the A-Team Huddle reminds us why this community is unlike anything else in the firearms industry. The April 2026 Huddle was packed with momentum, celebrating explosive growth across the organization, new chapter launches from coast to coast, national media recognition and powerful stories of women stepping into greater confidence through training and leadership. This gathering was a masterclass in building culture, welcoming new shooters, sharpening instruction skills, and creating chapters where women feel empowered from the moment they arrive. This Huddle delivered the kind of inspiration and actionable guidance that helps great A-Teamers become exceptional ones.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Facilitator Forum April 2026

This month’s Facilitator Forum delivered the kind of insight, leadership training, and behind-the-scenes strategy that continues to help A Girl & A Gun chapters thrive nationwide. Facilitators received organizational growth updates, explored how successful chapters create welcoming first impressions online, reviewed important event and safety policies, and gained practical tools for improving member engagement, instructor communication, and match flow. The discussion also covered training topics such as slide manipulations, reload instruction, dry-fire development, and coaching techniques that help women succeed on the range with greater confidence. Combined with national media recognition, upcoming event previews, leadership resources, and the collaborative energy of connecting with Chapter Facilitators across the country, the forum reinforced why these monthly gatherings remain such a valuable part of growing strong leaders and stronger communities.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Carrying Isn’t Enough: What Our Data Reveals About the Gap Between Carry and Capability

At A Girl & A Gun, we are in a unique position to understand how women are actually training. Each year at our National Conference, hundreds of women from across the country come together with a shared goal: to improve. They bring their experiences, their skills, and their insights, and in doing so, they give us something incredibly valuable: visibility. Through our pre-event skill assessment survey, one pattern emerged with surprising clarity: a consistent gap between carrying a firearm and regularly practicing the drawstroke.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Teaching Slide-Lock Reloads

In this live training session, Director of Training Tatiana Whitlock explores one of the most important handgun skills every shooter should develop: what to do when the slide locks back and the gun stops running. Building on the concepts from her article Top 5 Pistol Reload Drills to Master Slide-Lock Reloads, Tatiana explains how efficient reloads connect marksmanship with true gun-handling proficiency. She walks viewers through the mindset and mechanics behind reliable slide-lock reloads and shares a progressive training approach that helps shooters turn awkward movements into smooth, repeatable skills.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

A-Team Huddle February 2026

If you missed the March A-Team Huddle, you missed one of the most energizing, forward-moving conversations we’ve had this year. From celebrating 15 years of impact to sharing major growth milestones, new training opportunities, and behind-the-scenes conference updates, this was the room where momentum truly came alive. A huddle is where energy meets purpose. It is a fast-paced, casual team sync that keeps our momentum strong and our mission sharp. Each month, the powerhouse A-Teamers of A Girl & A Gun come together to celebrate major wins, hear exclusive updates, sharpen skills, and lift one another up as leaders in the firearms community. This video is not just a meeting. It is our launchpad. It is where we connect, recharge, and level up together. It is where the best show up.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Facilitator Forum March 2026

A forum has always been more than a meeting place. It is the heartbeat of a thriving community, where ideas are shared, growth is encouraged, and support remains steady. At A Girl & A Gun, our Chapter Facilitators gather each month with purpose. They connect. They celebrate wins. They exchange practical knowledge and strengthen one another as mentors, leaders, and friends in the firearms industry. This month’s discussion reflects the incredible momentum behind our mission. We celebrated 15 years of impact, welcomed new facilitators stepping into leadership, and reviewed powerful growth across chapters, events, and membership nationwide. We explored what the data is telling us about today’s female shooters, from their increasing demand for professional instruction to the real-world events driving them back to training. We introduced next-level opportunities, reinforced critical safety standards for gear and holsters, and prepared for a high-impact national conference. This conversation is focused and meaningful. We are recognizing achievements, sharpening strategies, advancing instructor skills, and aligning with the values that guide our mission. Together, we set the pace and raise the standard for what’s possible.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Instructor Mastermind 1Q2026

This month’s Instructor Mastermind call delivered actionable strategies that instructors can implement immediately to grow attendance, strengthen range relationships, and elevate student performance. Leaders shared proven marketing language that is filling open enrollment classes, training progressions that build confidence faster, and diagnostic approaches that solve common shooting challenges before they stall a student’s growth. The conversation was candid, practical, and rooted in real-world results from thriving chapters across the country. If you are serious about sharpening your instruction, increasing retention, and building a stronger A Girl & A Gun presence in your area, this is a call worth listening to start to finish.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Where Holster Loyalty Begins: What 5,397 Women Told Us About Carry Gear

Every piece of gear tells a story, but holsters tell us something especially important: where a woman is in her carry journey. Unlike firearms, which tend to show strong brand loyalty early, holster choices often evolve over time. The numbers from our most recent member profile survey confirm that story in a big way.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

A-Team Huddle February 2026

A huddle is where energy meets purpose. It is a fast-paced, casual team sync that keeps our momentum strong and our mission sharp. Each month, the powerhouse A-Teamers of A Girl & A Gun come together to celebrate major wins, hear exclusive updates, sharpen skills, and lift one another up as leaders in the firearms community. This video is not just a meeting. It is our launchpad. It is where we connect, recharge, and level up together. It is where the best show up.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Teaching Slide Manipulations

This month, Tatiana Whitlock tackles one of the most underestimated, and most frustration-inducing, skills in shooting: slide manipulations. Month Three of the AG & AG Shooting Journal shifts the focus to a skill set that quietly determines whether shooters feel capable or defeated, confident or constrained.

In this Look Ahead video, Tatiana makes the case for why slide manipulations deserve dedicated time, thoughtful instruction, and patience. Drawing from a deep understanding of firearm mechanics, human anatomy, and coaching psychology, she equips instructors with the language and framework needed to explain not just how to manipulate the slide, but why it matters. From chambering a round to clearing malfunctions and executing reloads under pressure, she reinforces that without effective slide manipulation, everything else eventually breaks down.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Facilitator Forum February 2026

A forum has always been more than a meeting place. It is the heartbeat of a thriving community, where ideas are shared, growth is encouraged, and support remains steady. At A Girl & A Gun, our Chapter Facilitators gather each month with purpose. They connect. They celebrate wins. They exchange practical knowledge and strengthen one another as mentors, leaders, and friends in the firearms industry. This month’s discussion is focused and meaningful. We are recognizing achievements, sharpening business strategies, advancing instructor skills, and aligning with the values that guide our mission. Together, we set the pace and raise the standard for what’s possible.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

A-Team Huddle January 2026

A “Huddle” is where energy meets purpose. It’s a fast-paced, casual team sync that keeps our momentum strong and our mission sharp. Each month, the powerhouse A-Teamers of A Girl & A Gun come together to celebrate major wins, hear exclusive updates, sharpen our skills, and lift each other up as leaders in the firearms community. The video here is not just a meeting; it’s our launchpad! We connect, recharge, and level up together. Here is where the best show up!

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Facilitator Forum January 2026

A forum has always been more than just a meeting place. It’s the heartbeat of a thriving community, where ideas are shared, growth is nurtured, and support is unwavering. At A Girl & A Gun, our Chapter Facilitators come together each month not just to connect, but to celebrate victories, share knowledge, and lift one another up as mentors, leaders, and friends in the firearms industry. This month, our discussion is packed with purpose: recognizing achievements, sharpening business strategies, advancing instructor skills, and aligning with the values and goals that drive our mission forward. Together, we set the pace and raise the bar for what’s possible.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

Teaching Trigger Control

In this video Tatiana dismantles the shame-laden idea of “anticipating the shot” and replaces it with a powerful, student-empowering approach centered on understanding the moment of commitment at the wall and learning to stabilize the gun through trigger creep, the skill that separates frustrated shooters from confident marksmen. If you’ve ever struggled to explain trigger control in a way that actually sticks, or watched students plateau despite “doing everything right,” this presentation will change how you teach and how your students perform.

Read More »
All Articles & Videos

A-Team Huddle December 2025

A “Huddle” is where energy meets purpose. It’s a fast-paced, casual team sync that keeps our momentum strong and our mission sharp. Each month, the powerhouse A-Teamers of A Girl & A Gun come together to celebrate major wins, hear exclusive updates, sharpen our skills, and lift each other up as leaders in the firearms community. The video here is not just a meeting; it’s our launchpad! We connect, recharge, and level up together. Here is where the best show up!

Read More »

Articles & Videos

Categories

Search

Skillsets