May 20, 2018 4 min read

It was a rainy day and I was just sitting around loafing in the house, contemplating this and that and then it occurred to me there has been one major change in the shooting sports.

There has been a dramatic drop in the sale of hunting licenses and there are many reasons for this, but a bright spot jumps out at the person studying these figures. Hidden among them is the dramatic increase in women hunters and women taking part in shooting sports.

It is no surprise that girls place high in the school shooting program. I learned that long ago when Jasmine Margeria acquired a scholarship to Ohio State University and shot on their rifle team. That was more than a couple of years ago. Another friend of mine, Guy Dingle, takes a back seat to his wife, who just loves competing on the sporting clays course.

Back when my Eileen was still alive, few men could outhunt her when hunting deer. Back then, one could hunt for many days and never see a woman in the woods. What I was seeing and thinking about was the marked increase in the number of women acquiring a carry permit issued by the Sheriff’s office, which allows the packing of a concealed weapon.

I easily understand the why and have little reason to disagree with such reasoning. Perhaps my only question is why did it take so long to decide to carry? The Colt handgun wasn’t called an equalizer without a reason. While I do not urge or recommend indiscriminate shooting and I do teach handgun safety where I say that lethal force should only be a last resort in defense of one’s life, it still levels the playing field.

But the real reason for my thoughts was this: Just how does a woman carry? Women’s clothes are just not designed for personal carry. So with that in mind, I decided to ask a person who should have a good opinion on the subject.

Mary Ann Johnson is not only a female but owns and operates, along with her husband John, Johnson’s Sporting Goods Store on Brownlee Road in Eighty Four. When I asked her, she started to show me many accessories made just for women who want to carry a handgun concealed. Of course, there are the normal holsters that can be utilized while on the farm but of no use when the lady is well dressed. I told her a lady acquaintance of mine carries in a fanny pack that opens quickly and holds a handgun in the security of a hidden holster. She then showed me bra holsters. They don’t look very comfortable to me but such things do exist.

Then, there are garter holsters in a stress situation all modesty goes out the window and you could get a belly band holster. This looks like nothing more than a big ace bandage that goes around the stomach and holds a handgun.

Perhaps the most impressive was an array of purses that are designed for a lady to carry. They have a side opening that leads to the gun. If a purse snatcher grabs the purse, the prepared woman can hold her gun in her hand and the thief being unaware of this takes off with just the purse as the lady is aiming the gun at him in her hand.

She might still lose her purse, but it is easy to retain the gun. What happens then, I can’t say. Some of these modified purses were quite nice. At least, I thought so.

There is little doubt but that the increase in firearm ownership among women is here to stay. All I can say is, it’s about time! When reading an article some time ago about a woman who was killed by her estranged husband, who had a PFA against him, Eileen said instead of a piece of paper, she should have had a .357 Magnum. Eileen was a fine peace loving woman, who would have helped anyone, but I feel she was right.

I would be remiss if I didn’t include a bit of wisdom from the old man. If you intend to carry, even if rarely, take a safety course, so you don’t shoot yourself or someone you love. Carrying a handgun is an awesome responsibility and taking a life is an absolute last resort.

I have often told others that when carrying a firearm, you’re time with getting in fights should be over. Walk away regardless of any insult, otherwise the ramifications can be the worst you ever faced.