The longstanding myth is that the younger generations are unflinchingly more liberal than their predecessors. While this might hold true in some regards, it is not a straight line. Millennials are showing conservative roots in a number of ways, and one of the most surprising is in regards to gun control. Specifically as it pertains to women, millennials are seeing gun ownership as an important necessity in modern society, and that rising belief is restructuring some of the core components of feminism, of all things.
Gun Laws
Over the past 40 years there seems to have been an increase in the number of Americans who favor more gun control. The fight is finally shifting back in favor of 2nd Amendment advocates. The millennial generation is actually less in favor of gun control than the previous two, and it stems mostly from the female population. Currently, millennials are split 50/50 on gun control laws, with one of those halves favoring no additional laws whatsoever. That stems from the fact that 22 percent of millennial women are gun owners (as much as 5 percent more than previous generations). As such, millennial women are stronger advocates of the 2nd Amendment than those in any generation since WWII.
Gun Ownership
Female gun ownership among millennials is about five percent higher than any previous generation. That seemingly small number represents a major shift in generational politics. That scant five percent actually consists of enough new gun owners that the entire industry has shifted to accommodate the new demographic. From accessories to pretty, petite handguns, manufacturers are marketing to the fastest growing sector. You can easily find glamorous holsters, concealment devices designed around feminine physiques and ad campaigns that fully acknowledge the femininity of gun ownership.
There are some interesting ways female gun ownership deviates from male patterns. First, women tend to purchase their first firearm much later in life. While the average age for first gun among men is 19, it jumps to 27 for women. Along those lines, gun owners who only have a single handgun in their arsenal are largely female. Statistically, 25 percent of that demographic is comprised of females in urban areas. These numbers are more than just fun statistics. They point to important trends that are likely to hold for a long period of time.
Empowerment
If women are buying guns as matured adults, and a large number of them just want a single handgun in their urban environment, it suggests that female gun ownership is more directly tied to self-defense. Plenty of women shoot and hunt recreationally, but a Gallup poll showed that women are twice as likely as men to cite self-defense as the sole reason to own a firearm.
The culmination of these statistics show us that women throughout the country are legitimately looking at concealed carrying as a means to prevent assault. A further survey by the Pew Research Center showed that roughly half of women who purchase guns after the age of 25 are doing so in response to an event in their lives. These events range from physical abuse to a vague feeling of unease, but the point is consistent. Women who want to truly feel empowered are purchasing guns, and the rate of purchase and participation is growing.
Feminism
There is still an entrenched, hard-core sect of feminists who believe that guns are violent and should be heavily regulated. We won’t go into the ridiculousness of their arguments right now. Instead, we’ll note that any self-described feminists who subscribe to logic eventually arrive at the same conclusion. For American women to achieve true independence, they need adequate defense options. Gun ownership and firearm training are easily the most effective way to accomplish this goal. As such, true (and rational) feminists are now supporting gun ownership. Most importantly, the message is catching wind quickly.
At the risk of sounding optimistic, the younger generation of female Americans just might be able to break free of the intense indoctrination forced upon them for the last 30 years. If so, gun toting feminists might be the first step to an interesting new America.
~ American Gun News
