Women on Target / Women’s Concealed Carry

This half-day class is designed to introduce women to basic handgun safety and operation in a comfortable, supportive, non-intimidating environment. No experience is necessary, but women of all experience levels are welcome. We train teenagers, great-grandmothers, and everyone in between. We’ll go over the fundamentals with an emphasis on safety, and then we’ll relieve a little stress on the range. No judgment, no pressure, no egos, and no politics. We hope you’ll join us for a morning of empowerment as we strive to keep all Women on Target!

Topics we’ll cover:

• Safety, safety, safety!
• Handgun parts, types, and operation
• The fundamentals of marksmanship (with live-fire range exercises)
• Safe handgun storage

You’ll enjoy the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of this class, whether it’s your first time handling a gun or you’re hoping to dust off existing skills with a little refresher. You’re welcome to bring your own handgun or borrow one of ours. If you need a handgun or ammunition (no holsters involved in this session), please contact us in advance to let us know. 

The Women on Target® Instructional Shooting Clinic is a national program designed by the NRA for ladies of all backgrounds who are curious about firearms. Whether you’re interested in personal defense or taking up a new sport, Women On Target® is a great primer. These clinics focus on firearm safety and the fundamentals of marksmanship, giving you the tools and confidence to discuss, handle, or operate a firearm responsibly.

No experience is necessary for this class. Ladies under the age of 18 may take the class as long as they will be accompanied by a parent. Typically the youngest age to participate is 12 years old, but please contact us for details on age restrictions. Generally speaking, as long as you’re a law-abiding female who is physically and mentally capable of following easy instructions and handling firearms safely, you are welcome to join us.

For this class, please bring:

• A quality defensive handgun (Not sure what that means? Don’t have a handgun? No problem. You can borrow one of ours. But please let us know ASAP if that’s what you intend to do.)
• At least 50 rounds of ammunition
• Eye protection and ear protection
• Note-taking materials
• Patience, positive attitude, willingness to listen, open mind
• Water, snacks, chair, or anything else you need to stay comfortable in the elements (we’ll be on an outdoor range)

We typically fire up to 50 rounds on the range, but every class is tailored to accommodate the individual participants, and no two classes are alike. If you need to borrow one of our handguns or purchase ammunition from us, please contact us in advance.

You will NOT need a holster for this class.

Help us spread the word! Click the image below to download the Women on Target flyer and feel free to share it with friends and family. Thanks!

Women are the fastest growing demographic of new handgun carry permit holders in America. Unfortunately, most state-mandated permit classes do not include much instruction on how to present a handgun from a holster, let alone any tips from a female perspective. Our Women’s Concealed Carry class helps ladies identify and employ safe, reliable, and comfortable handgun carry methods that fit their lifestyles. In the classroom segment, we’ll explore different concealment options and discuss the practical strengths and weaknesses of each. In the live-fire segment, we’ll teach women how to present a concealed handgun on demand without sacrificing the marksmanship fundamentals they learned in their handgun carry permit class.

Topics we’ll cover (time permitting):

• Safety, safety, safety!
• Fundamentals of marksmanship (quick review)
• The four-count draw (starting with dry work and progressing to live-fire)
• Safe re-holstering
• Open carry versus concealed carry
• Closed-front and open-front concealment garments
• On-body carry (hip/appendix/ankle holsters, belly bands, compression undergarments, etc.) versus off-body carry (purses, briefcases, etc.)
• Holster selection (common options, samples, demos, and pros/cons of each)
• Simple holster modifications to improve fit, speed, comfort, and security
• Carrying with restrictive or fitted clothing
• Securing firearms in non-permissive environments
• Practical considerations for ladies who carry

Ladies will need to bring their own handgun and holster. If you don’t have one, please contact us for assistance. We’ll send a more detailed equipment list by email before the class.

This class is restricted to ladies only. It’s a great curriculum for women who have been exposed to marksmanship fundamentals but have little or no practice with holster work. It’s also great for women who are largely self-taught and want a more formal template for practicing their handgun presentation from concealment.

Regardless of prior experience, this is a perfect opportunity for lots of practice repetitions under the watchful eyes of several experienced instructors who can offer useful, individualized tips for improving your efficiency and consistency when working a holster. We will teach all the same techniques that most competent concealed carriers use, but with a female lead instructor and special emphasis on factors women tend to prioritize (fellas, if you’re interested in class involving holster work, please consider our ATP-2 course).

Students in this class will need:

• Reliable defensive handgun
• At least 50 rounds of ammunition (every class is different, and the amount of shooting we do will depend on the pace of the class)
• Sturdy gun belt (a belt designed specifically for supporting a handgun)
• Kydex or leather holster that does not collapse when empty and is designed specifically for your make and model handgun (not a one-size-fits-many)
• Preferably at least two magazines (for semi-auto pistols)
• A concealment garment (either open-front or closed-front, or both if you’d like to try both)
• Eye protection and ear protection
• Note-taking materials
• Patience, positive attitude, willingness to listen, open mind
• Water, snacks, chair, or anything else you need to stay comfortable in the elements (we’ll be on an outdoor range)

If you’re interested in the class but don’t have a holster yet (or if you’d like to use another type of holster that isn’t listed here), please contact us to discuss.