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This is the fourth in a four-part series of articles from AWA .50 Caliber Sponsor Ruger
By Abby Jackley
There are many amazing organizations and communities for women firearm owners whether you are a new gun owner, competitive shooter or hunter. These organizations, founded and run by women in the shooting community, can provide you with a safe space to learn, gain confidence and have fun. You will find many female role models both on the range and online, with spaces to learn through social media and in-person instruction.
Finding a good female community in a male dominated sport is not as scary as it may seem, there are a variety of communities for women who all share common interests. If you are looking for a good class to learn more of the basic handgun safety from other women, I would recommend classes through an Armed Women of America Chapter, participating in Shoot Like a Girl events, and more.
Armed Women of America, the website where you’re reading this article, is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. It is comprised of shooting chapters across the country led by volunteer leaders and certified instructors. The chapters meet monthly to work on skill development and learn more about firearms and the shooting sports, while working toward becoming a self-protector in a safe and welcoming environment. They will help you get started and offer training and exposure to various opportunities. It is a great organization for those just embarking on their journey, to those who are experienced self-protectors!
Shoot Like a Girl is a traveling organization that goes to local communities to teach and introduce women to a variety of different shooting aspects, including handguns, rifles, and archery. They do all of this with the help of sponsors like Bass Pro Shop, Sturm Ruger & Co., Glock, and many other supporters! They offer many programs and events like the hunting experiences, safety blogs and classes, and their Elevate Tour with the semi -trailer shooting simulation range. I was able to check out the traveling shooting simulation trailer with my mom at the NRA Annual Meeting this year and had a great time meeting everyone, shooting the firearm simulations and archery, and learning about their amazing mission!
Amazing organizations like these are what helps grow the shooting community and show women how empowering gun handling skills can be.
No matter your skill level or interests inside the shooting community there is always a place for you! If you are someone more interested in politics, gun laws, and advocating for your Second Amendment rights, there is a perfect organization for you to get involved with. The group, Women for Gun Rights, who I have had the opportunity to work with, is a community of strong women from across the country advocating for their Second Amendment rights, representing their respective states and in Washington, D.C. Two women I worked with from this organization are Diana Muller, and Beth Walker. These two have been influential role models for me and others who believe in protecting our rights. Diana Muller is the founder of Women for Gun Rights and runs the Ambassador Academy hosted at WOFT training facility. Ambassador Academy is an amazing 4-day training for anyone in the shooting community who is interested in learning PR and media, film and editing, and hands on self-defense and awareness training skills! Beth Waker is a competitive 3-Gun shooter and the social media instructor for Ambassador Academy, and active advocate in Washington, D.C., for Women for Gun Rights.
Having a social community that supports you and shares your interests is so important when trying to find a place where you feel confident and can be yourself. That community doesn’t have to just be on the range. Many women in the shooting and outdoor community share common interests and support each other through social media. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Jen O’Hara, Co- Founder of Girls with Guns Clothing and a Ruger ambassador, as well Kristy Titus Ruger ambassador and host of The Wild and Uncut Podcast; both are great role models, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts sharing their own platforms and content on social media. Two other amazing women who share great content are Elizabeth Bienas, of Casual and Tactical (one of the leaders of AWA’s Virtual Chapter), and Tayor Abney (She the Seeker); both women share such empowering content for women on concealed carry, traveling alone, and women personal safety tips.
Finding others of similar interests and age is so important to have a supportive group to lean on and share new things you learn along the way! For young girls Junior Shooters magazine offers amazing learning opportunities to get into writing and telling your story. It led me to start my own social media platform, developing industry skills like advertising and marketing and started me on my own journey as a professional shooter with Ruger. As a young woman, the shooting sports may seem intimidating, and a male dominated community; but there are so many outlets for amazing women supporting other women. As someone who really spent all my teenage years in this industry, I cannot say enough great things about the women I have met and the impact they have made on who I am today!
About the Author:
Abby Jackley, 19, competes in USPSA and Steel Challenge events as part of Team Ruger, holding several national titles. She coaches the local SASP youth shooting team and actively supports young girls and women in shooting sports. Abby began writing at 15 for Junior Shooters, a youth magazine covering shooting, hunting, and outdoorsmanship. In 2021, she earned the Toyota Let’s Go Places award from the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) as a young outdoors writer.
Thank you, AWA .50 Cal Sponsor, Ruger!
