A National Firearms Study examining gun purchases from the beginning of 2019 shows nearly half of first-time gun buyers are women.
The Wall Street Journal reported the study, noting it shows that approximately “3.5 million women became new gun owners from January 2019 through April of this year.” The number of male first-time gun buyers came in at approximately 4 million, putting the divide between male and female gun purchasers at nearly 50/50.
Moreover, the study indicates that 28 percent of first-time women gun purchasers are black Americans:
In this May 27, 2017, photo, Marchelle Tigner, a firearms instructor, teaches a student how to shoot a gun during a class in Lawrenceville, Ga. (AP Photo/Lisa Marie Pane)
On August 4, 2020, Breitbart News noted National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) figures showing gun purchases by black men and women were up 58 percent from 2019.
The surge in gun purchases and the changing demographics of gun buyers occurred during a time of civil unrest, “Defund the Police” protests, and Chinese coronavirus shutdowns and restrictions.
According to the WSJ, the surge in gun purchases also coincided with the #MeToo movement, and that translated into more women buying guns.
The outlet notes:
After seeing women coming forward with stories of sexual assault and harassment as part of the #MeToo movement, Wendy Hauffen, chief executive of the gun-rights advocacy group San Diego Gun Owners, said she decided to found NotMeSD in 2019 to combat sexual assault and domestic violence through more women carrying firearms. About 400 women have gone through the program which pairs them with women mentors who guide them in purchasing a gun and training.
The WSJ highlighted the story of 39-year-old Kanisha Johnson, who joined NotMeSD then bought a Glock 9mm for self-defense earlier this year. Johnson was nearly killed after being shot by her children’s father and now says, “If any type of situation like that ever happens again, I just want to be better protected.”
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. Reach him at awrhawkins@breitbart.com. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange.
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