A study by the National Shooting Sports Foundations finds that more women are purchasing and using guns.

More than 74% of retailers surveyed by the NSSF reported an increase in female customers. Women surveyed say safety is the most important reason to own a gun. The study also found a 60% increase in women engaging in target practice.

“It did confirm what we already know on a retail level,” said Mark Leblanc, Director of Operations at Barney’s Firearms and Indoor Range. “We’ve seen an influx of our female population coming in and getting involved in many,many levels.”

Leblanc also adds that more women are involved with firearms because of the change in social stigmas. He says he has also seen women encouraged to learn gun safety from their spouses.

“In the course of that,” said Leblanc. “the female significant other realizes ‘wow!’ This is actually something neat, I’ve never done it before. I want to get more involved with it.”

Although safety comes first, women aren’t just interested in guns for protection.

“Things fly in the air and explode,” said Josie Richard, of the Wilderness Gun Club. “They disintegrate when you shoot them and it’s just fun. It’s fun to win, it’s fun to get trophies.”

Richard says she has seen more and more women compete in shooting sports.

“They’re coming out here with other women and having fun with it,” said Richard.