One thing I am going to do is link to this piece from Tumblr. It’s admittedly a man’s view of the societal relation between women and firearms, but the author displays a reasonable degree of understanding and clearly tries hard to deliver the truth as best he knows it. I leave to the group to decide if he succeeds but it seems clear to me that at least he’s not being an ass. Here’s the end of the piece:

or the average male gun owner, finding a gun-loving girlfriend or wife is often the ultimate dream. Yet the submission mentioned that the some gun communities can be so vulgar that they are more or less turning women off and away from firearms in general.

Admittedly there are gun communities (clubs, forums etc) that aren’t very welcoming to certain people. Sexism and racism do exist in the firearms community, to say otherwise is selective ignorance. Which brings up the bigger picture in the sum of this. As law-abiding gun owners, the goal should be to introduce as many people to the firearms community, not to isolate and push people away.

I think its important to realize that we don’t know everyone’s story. Maybe that girl/woman at the gun shop or the range is buying her first gun because she was mugged or raped. Making vulgar jokes or comments towards her only serves to make whoever is saying those things sound like an asshole. Common decency goes a long way towards making a new friend unfamiliar with guns. But you never know, maybe that woman at the range is a better shot than most of the guys.

Also, to all mothers, especially those serving in the armed forces; Happy Mother’s Day.