5 NRA Programs for Women

Far from being a boys club, the National Rifle Association (NRA) runs a number of programs aimed specifically at women.

According to the association’s website, 23 percent of American women are gun owners. That translates to about 3.35 million women.

It’s no wonder then that women have their own channel, chock full of special programming, on NRA TV. To fund some of the association’s other female-centric programs, the NRA started the NRA Women's Programs Endowment in 1992. Money donated to the endowment is invested, rather than spent, to perpetually continue funding programs that make a difference in women’s lives.

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Here’s a look at five other NRA programs for women:

1. Women on Target — The NRA calls its Woman on Target program “the perfect place to start."

These shooting clinics offer women a safe, friendly environment to pick up a gun for the first time, or to simply brush up on their skills. Women can choose between half- or full-day clinics where they learn the fundamentals of marksmanship and firearm safety.

What’s more, participants don’t need any of their own equipment to attend, making it a perfect way to find out if owning a gun is for you.

Woman on Target clinics are offered in states across America. Visit the NRA website to find the one nearest to you.

2. Refuse to be a Victim — This award-winning program is designed to teach women the basics of personal safety. It’s not a self-defense program and deals instead with the tips and strategies women can employ to spot impending danger and avoid being a victim.

According to the NRA, the program provides women with valuable information you can use in every aspect of your life. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials across the country are reportedly using the program to fight crime in their own communities.

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3. Women’s Wilderness Escape — Imagine a hunting trip just for women. That’s the basics of the NRA’s Women’s Wilderness Escape.

Open to women older than 18 with all different skill levels, the escape offers ladies a chance to learn about the outdoors, shooting, and hunting from some of the NRA’s best instructors.

Prices range from $995 to $2,500 and include all your meals, lodgings, and equipment.

There are three upcoming escapes planned for 2018: The Seven Springs Resort in June; the Queen Mountain Lodge, also in June; and the Whittington Centre in October. Visit the NRA website for more information.

4. Women’s Awards — Every year, the NRA honors women who have impacted the preservation of shooting sports.

The Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award is bestowed on women who have made an impact on a national level, while the Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award honors those who’ve made a difference on state, regional, and local levels.

The NRA also offers a wildlife management or conservation scholarship specifically for women. Young women who are full-time college juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 grade point average are eligible for the one year scholarship.

5. NRA Women's Network — Sponsored by Smith & Wesson, the NRA Women’s Network is an NRA TV channel dedicated to female gun enthusiasts.

Here, women can find news and educational information about firearms. You can also find pure entertainment with reality shows like “Love at First Shot” and “Armed and Fabulous."

The channel is also home to the NRA Women's Leadership Forum, which aims to unite women of influence to protect Second Amendment freedoms.

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