At Hot Shots Shooting Center, 64% of our customers are women — from group classes to personal one-on-one firearms training. That’s more than just a statistic; it reflects a powerful shift in who’s stepping up to train, carry, and lead in the world of firearms.
📈 Women Are the Fastest-Growing Gun Owners
Since 2007, women’s gun ownership in the U.S. has climbed from 16% to around 22%.
Between 2020 and 2022, over 5 million women purchased a firearm for the first time — accounting for approximately 37% of all new buyers.
In 2022 alone, women made up 40% of new firearm purchases and represented 27% of hunting participants and 32% of shooting sport enthusiasts.
While we can’t say that 64% of women in our local community are gun owners, we can proudly say that 64% of Hot Shots’ customers are women — and we’re committed to serving their needs with excellence.
🔫 What Are Women Carrying?
The most popular firearm for women continues to be the Glock 43/43X — a compact 9mm handgun favored for its concealability and reliability.
The 9mm caliber remains the most popular choice among women due to its manageable recoil, effectiveness, and wide availability.
At Hot Shots, we carry a large selection of concealed carry handbags, each with a dedicated compartment for your firearm. Many are available in-store and online, blending safety, function, and style.
👩🎓 Why Are Women Flooding to Firearms and Training?
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Protection & Empowerment: Many women cite personal safety and self-defense as their primary motivation.
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Community & Support: Women-only leagues and classes (like AWA) provide a supportive and encouraging environment.
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Coachability: Women often outperform men in training, thanks to strong listening skills and calm composure under pressure.
🔎 Women vs. Men: Training Trends
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Women are more likely to seek professional, structured training.
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They tend to prefer environments that de-emphasize ego and politics, focusing instead on skill development and community.
💪 The Armed Women of America — North Central Ohio Chapter
Hot Shots is proud to be the only Simulation Range in Ohio approved to sponsor an AWA Chapter —
The Armed Women of America: North Central Ohio Chapter.
AWA’s Mission: To enable women to be their own self-protectors, creating freedom, peace of mind, and confidence.
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Chapter meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
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Led by a female certified firearms instructor.
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Cost is just $20 per meeting — and includes range time!
💻 Want to Join?
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Join at the national level: $75 annually
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Visit: https://armedwomen.org
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Select: North Central Ohio Chapter
If you are — or know — a woman in North Central Ohio who might enjoy such a strong and uplifting group, we’d love for you to join us!
🎯 A Legacy of Strength
Annie Oakley is often quoted at Hot Shots Shooting Center — and for good reason. She was a force to be reckoned withwhen she held a firearm, proving that skill knows no gender.
One of her most endearing quotes:
“I would like to see every woman know how to handle guns as naturally as they know how to handle babies.”
And to many people’s surprise, Annie Oakley was born in Greenville, Ohio — not far from our home in Ashland. Her spirit of independence and strength lives on in our community of empowered women who are rewriting the narrative around firearms and self-protection.
Another of Annie Oakley’s most inspiring quotes has empowered the two female founders of Hot Shots Shooting Center — both passionate gun enthusiasts:
“Aim for the high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, not the second time and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting, for only practice will make you perfect. Finally, you’ll hit the bull’s-eye of success.”
🏛️ Built by Women, For Women
Hot Shots was founded by two women, and the mission of empowering women to find confidence, preparedness, and passion for ongoing training is felt throughout the entire facility — from the Yellowstone Lounge and Dutton Classroom, to our state-of-the-art Simulation Shooting Range, which features five private shooting suites.
A new Women’s League will launch in September 2025 — watch our website for full details!
🔑 The Door’s Open — Experience Hot Shots for Yourself!
Visit our website to schedule a tour of our facility and book your complimentary 30-minute range session today.
👉 https://hotshotsshootingcenter.com
📍 Location
Hot Shots Shooting Center
Ashland, Ohio — just a short drive from Mansfield, Wooster, Medina, and Mohican State Park.
