Detroit Gun Training Event Draws Hundreds of Women to the Range

Last week on Bearing Arms’ Cam & Company I talked with firearms instructor Jackie Emslie about the 15th annual training event for women hosted by Legally Armed In Detroit, and I’m pleased to report that the event was a huge success. 

Founded by longtime Second Amendment advocate Rick Ector, the event has grown from about 100 women in its first year to more than 2,000 participants, most of whom have had little to no formal experience with firearms. 

The event, held at Recoil Firearms in Taylor, drew lines wrapped around the building as women of all experience levels came to learn basic gun skills in both a classroom setting and on the range.

“I’m a little bit nervous to be honest. I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Savannah Lorenz, a Roseville resident attending for the first time.

That feeling of nervousness is exactly what instructors hope to address.

“We want to give them the opportunity that a gun is simply a tool. No different than a fork in your kitchen or a shovel in your shed,” said instructor Candy Petticord.

The free lessons started with a classroom safety briefing before participants hit the range. Every woman had her own coach, and all were able to shoot at least 20 rounds. 

The number of participants in this event is truly incredible, especially considering that most of the advertising for the weekend is done through word of mouth, social media, and some local news coverage. According to organizers, 2,454 women visited Recoil Firearms on July 25 and 26, which is absolutely amazing. Since Ector first started offering the weekend event back in 2012, more than 14,000 women have taken part. 

“Good to see a bunch of women coming out to support each other doing the same thing, protect ourselves,” said Hayley Delpier, a Roseville resident.

Many women left the event with a boost of confidence and a desire to return to the range. Now in its 15th year, Legally Armed in Detroit hopes to continue the event for many years to come.

I hope that’s the case. Rick Ector has had some health issues in the past couple of years and has to step back from organizing, but individuals like firearms instructor and current NRA Woman of the Year Tanisha Moner, along with the National Rifle Association itself, have really stepped up and ensured that the weekend is a huge success. There were more than 50 volunteers on hand this past weekend, not only conducting the training but making sure everything was running smoothly over the course of two days. Recoil Firearms deserves a shout out as well, since it shut down its entire range and turned it over to organizers on both Saturday and Sunday. 

Not every participant will go on to become a gun owner, much less a Second Amendment advocate. Still, providing women with a warm and welcoming environment to take their first shots is important, and clearly the demand is there. In fact, in addition to the nearly 2,500 women who attended the event, more than 800 others joined the waitlist for next year’s training. 

This event, which still doesn’t really have a formal name (something Ector and I have joked about over the years), is truly one of the most unique firearms training experiences in the country. It wouldn’t happen without the time and efforts of dozens of volunteers, sponsors, and donors, and they all deserve a round of applause for a job well done. 

For more information about the event and how you can be a part of it, visit https://www.ccwhub.com/free-lesson/2026

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