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kate_r wrote:I live out of state, but my experience has been mixed.

I shoot with a local ladies club and we have ladies' (only) classes and monthly get togethers at a local range. The range owner is very supportive of us using the range, gives us a discount on port time and trains the RSOs to respect ladies and not talk down to us. We have women instructors and the men who are instructors are taught to listen and not talk down/talk over and generally act in a respectful manner. The owner is extremely conscious of his female and racial minority clientele as he wants the range to be welcome to all, regardless of gender or race. Being both a person of color and a woman it can be daunting to (no offense intended) wander into a sport/pastime/interest populated mostly by white men. Or at least you'll see that in the media.

Unfortunately the experience I've gotten at some other ranges is because I am a woman I get attitude as to whether I know anything about guns. One of my club's ranges the RSO is always telling me I should probably try a lighter caliber as the gun I am shooting is too big (!!!). For the record it was a .45ACP. And I can punch holes in a quarter at 25 yards.

Other things, let's see. Go into a gun shop and get asked if I want a gift certificate. Being shown everything pink (I don't like pink) as if pink magically transforms any item into a woman's.

But there are a lot in the community who will treat me like an equal. That is welcome. Honestly though, I do enjoy the ladies only get togethers because we can talk about stuff we don't talk with the guys about.

Thanks kate_r!

I'm glad to hear some positive experiences, along with the the not so positive. Feel free to post anytime, you said you are out of state, but you didn't name which state you are in. We would really enjoy perspectives regarding the gun laws, attitudes, etc. in other parts of the country.

SewTexas wrote:

Alf wrote:I can't help but notice most of the posts are by well intentioned men.

That's because 99% of our members are men. I'm the most active lady, there are a couple of others who are less active.

I hope more women do weigh in on this, I know I have personally seen and heard a lot of things from store clerks, and others when talking to women about guns. I have not witnessed any outright harassment, or anything like what was posted in the other thread, but I was just curious how often women have to face bias, regarding firearms.

To give credit where it is due, I have also seen clerks and others, treat women with the utmost respect and professionalism, regarding guns, and gun accessories.

I have heard some of the most asinine things from gun store clerks, when dealing women. They almost all "assume" that a woman, if she is going to carry a gun, that she will do so in a purse, and try to lead her in the direction of guns they think will work best for that. And they also assume that a semi auto, is too "complicated" for a woman to manipulate properly, and she would be much better off with a revolver.

I have been able to assist some women, by doing exactly what Middle Age Russ said, and that is ASK QUESTIONS!! I can't possibly know what will work for someone else, male or female, if I don't ask the right questions. What will the gun be mainly used for? Is it going to be an EDC carry gun? Have you shot this type of firearm before? Have you had any training?

That is one of the things I like about this forum, is that everyone here seems to know, that without more info, we can't determine what will work for someone else. And then, we all know that, even with more info, the choices come down to whatever works best for that person.

I just wondered if any women here, had experienced any of the things listed, from "experts" at GS, ranges, or just in general?

On another thread about shooting ranges, the topic came up regarding women, being intimidated, and possibly even harrassed, by men, at places like ranges, and gun stores.
http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=88412

To keep from hijacking that thread I started a new one.

I know that I have seen well intentioned men, trying to steer women to guns/accessories etc. that she "needs" There is still a huge bias out there among male gun owners, store clerks, etc., that think they know what is best for a woman, when it comes to guns.

In the above cited thread, the OP wife was actually harassed, and intimidated at a gun range, by some evidently Neanderthalesque idiots.

I was just wondering, if any of our female members, have experienced this type of behavior, either in gun stores, or at ranges, and if so how did you handle the situation?
I have seen a woman walk out a gun store because the clerk all but refused to show her a gun, because it was "too much gun for her" After she left I asked him why he would treat her that way, and he just shrugged, and said, " well she doesn't know much about guns and I "knew" that she couldn't handle a full size 1911, and the pink snubby revolver would be better" I told him that he didn't know too much about women, and he would be losing an additional 50% in sales, if he stayed with that attitude, right before I left. (without buying anything) I have also seen husbands and boyfriends do the same thing when they are shopping for their significant other a gun.

Also if there are other men who have seen their wives or girlfriends treated this way, please post your thoughts.