Women and Guns

After the recent attacks in Wilmington more females are learning to protect themselves.
One local business manager said women are using, owning and carrying guns and other forms of protection.

Kimberly Moore is a manager at Shooter’s Choice in Wilmington. She said attendance has gone up 50 percent in the ladies shooting class just over the past few weeks.

Moore said “a lot of people come in they’re worried about the increase in crime, my co-worker was attacked or assaulted. They’re just more alert; they’re in a different zone. Their awareness is peaked. They wonder what if this happened to me.”

Dana Robertson is learning more about guns because she plans to own one, to protect her home.

Robertson said “my husband is set to deploy in January and wanted to be sure I was completely knowledgeable and capable of handling a firearm because he wants to get me one before he leaves.”

But some people don’t believe owning a gun is the best weapon of defense.

Bonnie Becmer said “more guns lead to more people being hurt or harmed. Fewer people need guns, I really only think police and people who are supposed to protect us should have it, that doesn’t mean a woman shouldn’t protect herself…say martial arts.”

Moore agrees that owning a gun is not for everyone.

“We don’t want to put a gun in the hands of someone who is uncomfortable with it because it can be turned and used against them, they could hurt themselves, someone in their homes, their pet. We want to make sure they are comfortable and know what to do and how to use it. We want them to be safe that’s the whole point,” said Moore.

Shooter’s Choice offers other means of self defense like stun guns, tazers and pepper spray.

To own a gun you must have a gun purchase permit. To carry a gun, you must take a class and have a license to carry.