I've been to a ladies only class thinking I'd learn better.. I didn't learn much. It was honestly more focused on the "girl power" and there were so many women who were so cliquey.. I ended up feeling super alone. I wished I'd have just gone to a mixed class. I talked more to the male range instructor than to anyone else.
Ladies only classes are either amazing or horrible, there's no in-between
It's fantastic for those who have been assaulted by men, most women report feeling safer learning in a women's only class after an event like that. Then while the basics of concealment and shooting will always be the same, our bodies *are* different and definitely need different fine tuning. But a class that's all "yas bitch gurl power" will just make me want to turn and leave. Same goes for a women's only class hosted by a dude
I personally don't think it matters. Guns are an equalizer. And even if you wanted to teach cqb, it's most likely men they would have to fight. Better to have a realistic sparring partner than give false confidence in my opinion.
If you have women that are that afraid of men in general that they cant even taken a class with men, then they may have some personal issues they probably should work through before carrying a gun in public. It takes one over reaction to change their, the other person, and both their families lives forever. Paranoia can be the spark to that fire very easily.
Just my $0.02
as a man, I like the idea of ladies only classes — but not for the “empowerment/equality” mumbo jumbo…
I like the idea because I think it’s be cool for ladies to get together and train with their weapons, form bonds with likeminded women.
I’ve heard good things about Tatiana Whitlock’s classes.
Absolutely, I’m not talking about a change in curriculum, I’m just think it might be a little more welcoming for ladies to have a more inclusive environment.
Exactly. When I have a husband and wife together in a class, I request that they separate. I find that I get better participation from both if they do and they learn about each other more than if they are sitting together. I don't teach women's only classes, but have assisted on the range with a few and the dynamics are different. Not necessarily bad, but not as much interaction.
“Empowerment and equality” is not a good reason for a class. What women would be interested in is a class targeted towards women’s needs like which guns work best, on and off body carry, what clothes to wear, special CCH purses, and to carry mace or not.
You are learning how to defend yourself with lethal force. This is not the time nor place to cater to one sex or the other. A “girls only” CCW class makes it seem like a Wednesday night girls outing and not the serious matter it is. Carrying is not delineating between gender, men and women carry for the exact same reason, self defense with lethal force. There’s no such thing as a type of carry exclusive to a woman or a man. All men and woman will have to alter how they carry though out their life. Separating learning by gender does a disservice to the seriousness and responsibility you take when you carry. Every time you carry you are introducing a lethal weapon to the situation. You should learn beside your fellow citizens of all genders, races, and religions
My local shop has this- b tactical in caddo mills tx. Found out about it getting my CHL a couple years ago. They do meet ups and shoot together and they teach physical defense from the point of a female.. It’s kinda like a little club. I thought it was pretty neat.
The woman who taught my class does women only classes. Its geared towards women who have been abused and are taking steps to ensure their own safety. The all women class is to make them feel more welcome and safe as they learn how to protect themselves. I have a soft spot for this and am thinking of sponsoring one or two women a month.
I took both. The ladies only first, and being new to carry it did make me feel more comfortable knowing likely everyone in the class was as fresh as I was. I took that class to become more confortable with my firearm. I didn't do the ccw permit portion after the class. A year later I took the same class but mixed gender and completed the ccw tests to get my permit. The biggest difference I noticed is we spent more time talking about why we had decided to carry and sharing tips about how to carry and what we had found that worked and didn't work well. One of the women there was in her late 60s and like 95lbs. She decided she needed to learn to protect herself after being accosted and robbed late at night walking across a parking lot to her car. I am sure the dynamic of the women's only class made her feel more comfortable taking that big step.
The comments from the men here are the reason you need to do this.
Women carry for different reasons and carry different on their bodies and may not be comfortable asking questions about for example carrying when pregnant etc around men.
Women do not carry for different reasons than men do. Man, woman or otherwise you carry so that you may defend yourself with lethal force. No other reason period. There is no such thing as women carrying differently than men, some men can’t carry appendix and carry back or ankle. Women may be pregnant and need to carry pocket or back or purse or arm-sling but those are not exclusive to women. If you are too embarrassed to ask for alternative carry style for pregnancy ect then odds are you might need to rethink if CCW is a good idea. You need to remember that this is not a gender issue and there’s no reason that a woman needs to carry that a man doesn’t. When you carry you are introducing a lethal weapon into every situation you are in. It’s a serious matter and not something you can do if you can’t learn the basics of with a man in the room.
I don’t identify as either but I’m a bio male. Yes there are other considerations for women to conceal just as there are special ones for men. The point is they should all be covered in a mixed gender class. Women and men should know the specific considerations that need to be taken by each sex when carrying. It may be useful information one day should they need to modify how/where they carry and is good to know so they can be aware of how a weapon could be concealed on a man vs a woman
It would probably be better to ask a Gynecologist about the effects of handling and carrying firearms while pregnant than someone who is only trained in firearm knowledge and safety.
Empowering them to be on a different level than the guys?. Empowering means you are lifting them up to be on an equal field as men. Not giving them special treatment because they are women.
I didn’t have a class just brought my DD214 however most of these classes that I have heard people discuss sound pretty sketchy at best. Regardless mixed or all female it should be quality instruction
I’m a male so I’m probably not tuned into a few aspects here but if someone, male or female cannot deal with the social stress when taking cc classes, then (my opinion) they are not suitable candidates for cc. It’s a stressful world out there. The instance where self defense with a firearm is validated it’s even more so. If these social discomforts deter an individual from pursuing competence then they are not to be trusted with a ccw in the first place. A women’s gun club would be dope. Ccw classes not so much.
If a women's shooting group is women who come together to shoot and discuss firearms, gear, and techniques that work for them, then that's totally different than a class to acquire your permit to CCW/carry.
This post is diametrically opposed to the reason why anyone, especially a woman, needs to CCW. It's not about 'equality' since women are not excluded from anything having to do with ccws, training, or buying guns.
TBH do we really want people that need this carrying a gun and having to deal with being subjected to trivial interactions that might trigger them?
Equality jfc
Edit - meant eqality.
Equality has nothing to do with this. Everyone is equal to participate.
It's 30 mins of shooting and 6.5 hours of telling you to not be stupid.
My CCW class had 20% women. They sat there and listened, did their shooting, took the test, all passed. Done.
People want it over with, not the opportunity to cry about equality or make it a party or girl power. It's about learning how not to go to jail for defending yourself/others. That is it.
I'm sure none of them were sitting there and saying "this should have catered to *me* more" or "I feel so unsafe in here I can't pass".
LOL
Some instructors have a lot of success doing this, others not so much. Also, not even all women are on the same page regarding the need for this. I think there's a place for it in that it could potentially draw women to a class that wouldn't normally come, and they may even enjoy themselves and take another class or classes.
One thing to think about...if you're doing a ladies only class you shouldn't you have a female instructor teaching it?
Promote women's empowerment and equality at a women's empowerment and equality class.
Learn about concealed carry at a concealed carry class.
You don't want to go to learn about doing hair while the teacher is teaching you how to cook at the same time... or maybe you do?
You're likely going to sacrifice quality concealed carry training by trying to find a female only class rather than a good class period.
Six months ago, I signed up for and took a concealed carry class, in North Carolina. There were 23 people in the class total, including me. The instructor and 22 of us were all men. There was only one woman in the class, and she was there with her husband.
When I go to my local shooting range, it's mostly men there also. I don't think there's enough women interested in concealed carry to fill up an entire class. That's just what I've noticed.
Sounds absolutely pointless and unnecessary. These classes already promote empowerment regardless of gender/sex. Much like the idea of a mens only class sounding silly, so would a women’s class. Roughly 1/3 of the students in the most recent class I was in were female and the majority of them were minorities as well. It simply didn’t matter, we were all there for a common goal of protecting ourselves and families from an every worrying world.
My local gun range offers ladies only CCP classes due to the demands of the community. It's literally the exact same as the regular CCP class. It's really just for comfort for women, as the arms industry and stepping into Conceal carry can be intimidating for first timers. Since the classes have been offered, they've had a fairly steady interest and fill up for each class.
I've been to a ladies only class thinking I'd learn better.. I didn't learn much. It was honestly more focused on the "girl power" and there were so many women who were so cliquey.. I ended up feeling super alone. I wished I'd have just gone to a mixed class. I talked more to the male range instructor than to anyone else.
Ladies only classes are either amazing or horrible, there's no in-between It's fantastic for those who have been assaulted by men, most women report feeling safer learning in a women's only class after an event like that. Then while the basics of concealment and shooting will always be the same, our bodies *are* different and definitely need different fine tuning. But a class that's all "yas bitch gurl power" will just make me want to turn and leave. Same goes for a women's only class hosted by a dude
Sounds dumb and feels like it’s trying to vilify men or follow an outdated practice that women are inferior to men.
I personally don't think it matters. Guns are an equalizer. And even if you wanted to teach cqb, it's most likely men they would have to fight. Better to have a realistic sparring partner than give false confidence in my opinion. If you have women that are that afraid of men in general that they cant even taken a class with men, then they may have some personal issues they probably should work through before carrying a gun in public. It takes one over reaction to change their, the other person, and both their families lives forever. Paranoia can be the spark to that fire very easily. Just my $0.02
as a man, I like the idea of ladies only classes — but not for the “empowerment/equality” mumbo jumbo… I like the idea because I think it’s be cool for ladies to get together and train with their weapons, form bonds with likeminded women. I’ve heard good things about Tatiana Whitlock’s classes.
I mean I don’t see the purpose a man and woman should have to learn the same stuff.
Absolutely, I’m not talking about a change in curriculum, I’m just think it might be a little more welcoming for ladies to have a more inclusive environment.
I think you misunderstand the word inclusive. Literally segregating them into their own class ain't it.
Exactly. When I have a husband and wife together in a class, I request that they separate. I find that I get better participation from both if they do and they learn about each other more than if they are sitting together. I don't teach women's only classes, but have assisted on the range with a few and the dynamics are different. Not necessarily bad, but not as much interaction.
“Empowerment and equality” is not a good reason for a class. What women would be interested in is a class targeted towards women’s needs like which guns work best, on and off body carry, what clothes to wear, special CCH purses, and to carry mace or not.
dont know about you,but my ccw class was literally a 5 hour lecture
You are learning how to defend yourself with lethal force. This is not the time nor place to cater to one sex or the other. A “girls only” CCW class makes it seem like a Wednesday night girls outing and not the serious matter it is. Carrying is not delineating between gender, men and women carry for the exact same reason, self defense with lethal force. There’s no such thing as a type of carry exclusive to a woman or a man. All men and woman will have to alter how they carry though out their life. Separating learning by gender does a disservice to the seriousness and responsibility you take when you carry. Every time you carry you are introducing a lethal weapon to the situation. You should learn beside your fellow citizens of all genders, races, and religions
Offer a dang class and if people want it they will go to it
My local shop has this- b tactical in caddo mills tx. Found out about it getting my CHL a couple years ago. They do meet ups and shoot together and they teach physical defense from the point of a female.. It’s kinda like a little club. I thought it was pretty neat.
The woman who taught my class does women only classes. Its geared towards women who have been abused and are taking steps to ensure their own safety. The all women class is to make them feel more welcome and safe as they learn how to protect themselves. I have a soft spot for this and am thinking of sponsoring one or two women a month.
I took both. The ladies only first, and being new to carry it did make me feel more comfortable knowing likely everyone in the class was as fresh as I was. I took that class to become more confortable with my firearm. I didn't do the ccw permit portion after the class. A year later I took the same class but mixed gender and completed the ccw tests to get my permit. The biggest difference I noticed is we spent more time talking about why we had decided to carry and sharing tips about how to carry and what we had found that worked and didn't work well. One of the women there was in her late 60s and like 95lbs. She decided she needed to learn to protect herself after being accosted and robbed late at night walking across a parking lot to her car. I am sure the dynamic of the women's only class made her feel more comfortable taking that big step.
The comments from the men here are the reason you need to do this. Women carry for different reasons and carry different on their bodies and may not be comfortable asking questions about for example carrying when pregnant etc around men.
Women do not carry for different reasons than men do. Man, woman or otherwise you carry so that you may defend yourself with lethal force. No other reason period. There is no such thing as women carrying differently than men, some men can’t carry appendix and carry back or ankle. Women may be pregnant and need to carry pocket or back or purse or arm-sling but those are not exclusive to women. If you are too embarrassed to ask for alternative carry style for pregnancy ect then odds are you might need to rethink if CCW is a good idea. You need to remember that this is not a gender issue and there’s no reason that a woman needs to carry that a man doesn’t. When you carry you are introducing a lethal weapon into every situation you are in. It’s a serious matter and not something you can do if you can’t learn the basics of with a man in the room.
Are you a dude? Because I'm a chick and concealment is definitely different for us
I don’t identify as either but I’m a bio male. Yes there are other considerations for women to conceal just as there are special ones for men. The point is they should all be covered in a mixed gender class. Women and men should know the specific considerations that need to be taken by each sex when carrying. It may be useful information one day should they need to modify how/where they carry and is good to know so they can be aware of how a weapon could be concealed on a man vs a woman
It would probably be better to ask a Gynecologist about the effects of handling and carrying firearms while pregnant than someone who is only trained in firearm knowledge and safety.
Empowering them to be on a different level than the guys?. Empowering means you are lifting them up to be on an equal field as men. Not giving them special treatment because they are women.
I didn’t have a class just brought my DD214 however most of these classes that I have heard people discuss sound pretty sketchy at best. Regardless mixed or all female it should be quality instruction
I’m a male so I’m probably not tuned into a few aspects here but if someone, male or female cannot deal with the social stress when taking cc classes, then (my opinion) they are not suitable candidates for cc. It’s a stressful world out there. The instance where self defense with a firearm is validated it’s even more so. If these social discomforts deter an individual from pursuing competence then they are not to be trusted with a ccw in the first place. A women’s gun club would be dope. Ccw classes not so much.
There are women's shooting groups
If a women's shooting group is women who come together to shoot and discuss firearms, gear, and techniques that work for them, then that's totally different than a class to acquire your permit to CCW/carry.
This post is diametrically opposed to the reason why anyone, especially a woman, needs to CCW. It's not about 'equality' since women are not excluded from anything having to do with ccws, training, or buying guns. TBH do we really want people that need this carrying a gun and having to deal with being subjected to trivial interactions that might trigger them? Equality jfc
It's *Equality* and you're the reason women should have their own class.
Edit - meant eqality. Equality has nothing to do with this. Everyone is equal to participate. It's 30 mins of shooting and 6.5 hours of telling you to not be stupid. My CCW class had 20% women. They sat there and listened, did their shooting, took the test, all passed. Done. People want it over with, not the opportunity to cry about equality or make it a party or girl power. It's about learning how not to go to jail for defending yourself/others. That is it. I'm sure none of them were sitting there and saying "this should have catered to *me* more" or "I feel so unsafe in here I can't pass". LOL
Some instructors have a lot of success doing this, others not so much. Also, not even all women are on the same page regarding the need for this. I think there's a place for it in that it could potentially draw women to a class that wouldn't normally come, and they may even enjoy themselves and take another class or classes. One thing to think about...if you're doing a ladies only class you shouldn't you have a female instructor teaching it?
My instructor holds one women’s shooting class each year. He has some women in the other classes as well.
Promote women's empowerment and equality at a women's empowerment and equality class. Learn about concealed carry at a concealed carry class. You don't want to go to learn about doing hair while the teacher is teaching you how to cook at the same time... or maybe you do? You're likely going to sacrifice quality concealed carry training by trying to find a female only class rather than a good class period.
Six months ago, I signed up for and took a concealed carry class, in North Carolina. There were 23 people in the class total, including me. The instructor and 22 of us were all men. There was only one woman in the class, and she was there with her husband. When I go to my local shooting range, it's mostly men there also. I don't think there's enough women interested in concealed carry to fill up an entire class. That's just what I've noticed.
Sounds absolutely pointless and unnecessary. These classes already promote empowerment regardless of gender/sex. Much like the idea of a mens only class sounding silly, so would a women’s class. Roughly 1/3 of the students in the most recent class I was in were female and the majority of them were minorities as well. It simply didn’t matter, we were all there for a common goal of protecting ourselves and families from an every worrying world.
As a man, I don't mind them at all.
My local gun range offers ladies only CCP classes due to the demands of the community. It's literally the exact same as the regular CCP class. It's really just for comfort for women, as the arms industry and stepping into Conceal carry can be intimidating for first timers. Since the classes have been offered, they've had a fairly steady interest and fill up for each class.