Women: Fastest-Growing Group of US Gun Owners

As the -- -- wages on over whether and how to regulate the sale of firearms. Gun sales are reaching record heights. And -- an -- a big part of the reason why. While women overwhelmingly support gun... See More

As the -- -- wages on over whether and how to regulate the sale of firearms. Gun sales are reaching record heights. And -- an -- a big part of the reason why. While women overwhelmingly support gun control a recent Gallup poll reveals one in four American women own a gun. In this wave of gun enthusiasm is funding a -- On a shooting range. Here's ABC's -- check. These women -- power or means firepower. And -- -- it. Welcome to advance defensive pistol training turn and. He's in the sure -- a women's only shooting -- based in Austin, Texas. And then. Nationwide gun ownership is at an all time high and now -- record quite 3% of women say they own a gun. The surprising spike has spawned a cottage industry from hello kitty handguns to this blink out revolver tweeted by Kim Kardashian. But make no mistake these women are dead serious about the right to bear arms. You have to think defensively all the time -- think about it when your car -- to think about it -- at the grocery store means the just take. The second for everything changed holly gala is a mother of two who says she -- -- shots to learn the best way to protect her family. We talk about it what does that situation if somebody breaks in the house. You know your dad and I are gonna. We're gonna defend you but I also know that my ten year old we'll pick up my AR and he'll be -- the -- it. Here regularly carries a -- You have a specific spot in your Parse that it goes up today -- running to a series of intensive drills designed specifically for women who pack heat. All that's an adult from that bars and once you've taken a shot. State and returning the first three re not really out poly -- Bob -- appeared. That every -- -- now has the bag. It's a fabulous -- other battle back. But you went in there and I can't in my wallet and I just expected to Harding in finding their exam and again. Place the fact is dollar out here -- how many of your husbands don't really train was done. You might be the ones responsible for your -- you might have to say honey I got this. OK well. This sisterhood of local gun and this -- quickly drawn hundreds of members in just two years. From nine year old -- who hopes to shoot in the 2012 Olympics. To 62 year old Marsha who only discovered shooting three years ago standard. 89. Lindsay remnants. Vicki Jones is -- shots founder and this is her homemade assault rifle. The snow -- -- Mickey's philosophy for the group a simple empower women so they won't become victims. -- in an -- an attacker -- spokesman. Has malicious -- I can't bare knuckle fight him but I can train with my gun and then at the time comes I can use it to save my life. The gun industry markets directly to women with smaller more female friendly fire arms customizable handguns high powered rifles awash in pink. And loads accessories for the fashion conscious shooter. The -- six -- into the center -- -- products like the flash bang -- holster can uniquely conceal a weapon on a woman's body. There are so many new products that LA based gun blogger Natalie Foster started a website called a girls' guide to guns to help women navigate the world of shooting. They want a lot more information you know anything from what kind of by -- -- what -- to use you know what. You know what -- do you -- used to make you know yourself so acute that the rains you know there's just something cool about the juxtaposition of that. Hardcore black gun with you know a little touch -- that's exactly my custom -- and I like this one because it kind of business in -- party in the back. When I'm not -- -- you see that great but then when I do. -- like that and ready to fire if you look a little -- -- you know to look just below Carolina in there who. And that is my -- gauge shotgun. The industry is really letting us have a lot of fun with them -- apparently women are phoning it in a really. Cool way. This -- -- women's network is designed with new in my. The NRA which is overwhelmingly male is aggressively courting this new wave of potential members. 27 million women strong are armed and fabulous. And -- and it's. Ads like these feature female shooters like Natalie. The NRA claims nearly thirty million women owned guns a number critics say is grossly exaggerated. That some damage what. But no one disputes that more women than ever have been flocking to gun clubs like -- I don't want to see how much faster. She was just popping -- around. Call Mike the thing freaks me out have a loaded gun in my. Oh my gosh that's -- -- thought up -- -- the reality is that. We often have something in our -- that we -- drop guess what women you got kids in your hands a lot and. In the next exercise the pink beach ball stands in for that precious cargo. In the frame -- -- Rack and fire. -- standing although none of these women have actually had used their guns to defend themselves they believe in preparing for the worst case scenario. That's what it's not -- action shotgun explained that being a single female I happen to consider listening -- -- -- -- out of south. And all of them said they now feel safer having a lethal weapon around I don't carry again because I live in fear. I don't. Fear because -- but gun control advocates say -- is a false sense of security. A woman with a gun in the home is almost three times more likely to be murdered and woman doesn't have a gun in her home Laurie safine works with women against gun violence. For at three. Time -- -- himself -- friends there are four accidental shootings. There are seven homicides or assaults. An eleven attempted or successful suicides. Laurie believes that guns don't -- women any safer but reasonable gun control will let's come together where we can. Around common sense solutions and laws that are really going to make a difference for women. And are going to save their lives but universal background checks even a ban on high capacity magazines are gun control measures. Holly for one stands firmly against. Nobody has the rights tell us. What's good for the next person. I don't dictate what -- -- for your family and nation dictate what's best for my family you know if you wanna carry a thirty round magazine and by -- Do it for Nightline I'm juju Chang outside Austin, Texas.