Growing popularity of gun ownership

Tim Miller, who owns STSK (Safety Through Superior Knowledge, www.STSK.US), gave one final review of the announcement he’d prepared for an upcoming class, Introduction to Shooting Sports, April 29. The class would be hosted by Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club, New Tripoli. Satisfied with his work, Miller hit the “send” button for the email.

The class, offered for $60, would introduce participants to three types of competition shooting, IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association), USPCA (United States Pistol Club of America) and Steel Challenge. Miller had set the class-size limit at 30 people.

“The email went out and 15 people had registered with a half hour,” Miller said. “I expanded the class size to 40, but even so the class was filled within 48 hours after I sent the email.”

“Shooting sports help you practice for self-defense,” he added. “Most people do not know how many local clubs host shooting sports – it is very addicting.”

Many families, including women and youth, registered for the class. The minimum age for participants is 8 (youth from 8-17 years old must be accompanied by parent or guardian). That local response is in line with national statistics, from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which reports that women are the fastest growing segment of gun owners and participants in shooting sports.

According to the survey, the majority of new female gun owners come from the 18-34 age group. The survey examined why women chose to purchase firearms and what activities most appealed to them.

Some survey results:

The most commonly owned firearm by women in the study is a semiautomatic pistol, with 56 percent of women reporting they owned at least one. Shotguns ranked second, with 50 percent of women owning at least one.

Women say their purchases are mainly influenced by Fit, Quality and Practicality.

Women purchasing a gun in the last 12 months spent on average $870 on firearms and more than $400 on accessories.

The majority of women report they are not driven to buy a gun on impulse but rather considered their purchase for months before deciding.

Nearly all women (95 percent) have tried target shooting, and more than half (58 percent) have hunted.

More than 42 percent of women have a concealed carry permit for their state of residence.

Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of women reported having taken at least one training class.

Placing a premium on safety, women say the single most important reason why they decided to purchase or own a firearm is protection—both personal and home protection. Learning to hunt and going shooting with friends and family were also cited.