VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Women are the new demographic when it comes to gun sales.
Why is that?
After speaking to a women’s-only gun club in Virginia Beach, NewsChannel 3 is getting answers.
The 757 Ladies Packing Heat Club has about 100 members who all say their goal is self-defense. Many of the women in the class are trying to arm themselves in order to protect their life, their property and the lives of their family members if the need arises.
Their founder, Kathie Gerber, said a life-changing experience forced her to buy a gun, but she chose to train and share her knowledge with other women who need it.
Gerber started the club in 2014 and they meet weekly to train in gun safety, shooting and other forms of self-defense.
Women of all ages attend the class.
“I totally believe that every woman needs to be trained. We train women all the way up. I had a 77-year-old and an 83-year-old that I trained to draw from her walker because she has a right to defend herself. Every woman has a right to defend herself, they need not only firearm safety but other methods of self-defense,” said Gerber.
The women say they feel empowered not by the gun on their hip, but by the training and education they received from a woman who lived to tell the tale.
Hear more about the women’s experiences and why they choose to shoot Sunday on NewsChannel 3 at 11.
