3 Ways to Start Empowering Women to Concealed Carry with Confidence

Most people with concealed carry licenses are men. I get that. But more women are getting interested in firearms and self-defense. This shift is about empowering women to protect themselves. It makes sense to want your wife, mother, aunt, sister, or daughter to learn. You want them to stay safe. If you grew up around guns, you know why. "But she’s scared of guns," you say. That’s okay. Maybe she never learned about them and respects how serious they are. That respect is good. It’s a chance to teach and to build skills. It’s also a chance to support empowering women to carry safely.
So how do you help her learn and get a concealed carry license?

Empowering Women Through Concealed Carry and Self-Defense

#1. Take her to the range

I don’t mean you and 4 of your guy friends and her. Just the two of you. I recommend going to a beginner or novice class together.

First off, she might be much more comfortable learning without a bunch of expert shooters around (plus there are fewer distractions). Don’t make her do anything, try anything, etc. unless she wants to.

Put her in some hearing protection and plink for a little bit. Get her used to it. Ask if she wants to try it out herself. Allow her to learn more about the safety behind shooting guns and the mechanics of the gun.

After you get her used to the idea, she tries it out, and likes it, make it a regular date. Take her shooting by herself, then maybe a group thing and have your friends bring their hers. Maybe even make it a competition.

We at Clinger Holsters love this article on concealed carry tips for women out of Personal Defense World. Feel free to check it out to read more about how gun culture and society plays a large role in a woman's choice to own a gun.

#2. Tell her why

Sit her down and tell her all the reasons why you want her to get her concealed carry license. You want her to be independent, to protect herself and her (maybe yours too) family, to be your “back up.”

One of the largest compliments (and most meaningful praise) that I ever received from my late step-father (who was a retired police officer and a concealed carry instructor) was that he was proud to have me as his “back up” because of my skill, my self-responsibility, and discipline to my firearm, and my dedication to becoming a better, safer marksman.

My step-father wanted me to get my CCL because he knew that he wasn’t going to always be there to protect me, my mother, and my sisters.

#3. Buy her pistol & concealed carry gear

Get her all set up to be able to go to the range, practice, and (after she gets her license) concealed carry. We highly recommend getting her one of the concealed carry holsters that is adjustable and modular for different body positions! Now she can’t make the excuse that she doesn’t have the stuff she needs to get her license or carry.

Let her take her gear to the range, test it out, and answer all her questions as many times as she asks. You had confidence in her will help her have confidence in herself.

Understand, none of these are foolproof. Every woman (as you probably already know) is different. They all feel differently about firearms and that’s fine.

But I will tell you, don’t push your her.

Give her the opportunity, the support, and let her make the decision. I’m sure she’ll thank you, regardless of if any of these convinces her to (at least) get more familiar with firearms or not. If you're looking for more tips and articles on empowering women to concealed carry, check out this website.

If you could, how often would you take your her to the range?

Updated 3/11/2025