Crime, defunding police, fear of uncertainty and unrest after natural disasters or another pandemic are fueling gun ownership and interest in gun schools.

“There’s a lot of things, a lot of chaos that happens, especially like big cities, and, you know, people don’t want to be the victim anymore,” says Eric Stieber, attending a week-long handgun class at Gunsite Academy, a massive gun training school near Prescott, Arizona.  

“This part was fun,” said Arizona chef Eric Stieber. “But there’s all the things you have to think about of real life situations, of it’s not going to be a steel target. It’s going to be a human being behind that. And that’s a lot of responsibility to take with you.” 

“This part was fun,” said Arizona chef Eric Stieber. “But there’s all the things you have to think about of real life situations, of it’s not going to be a steel target. It’s going to be a human being behind that. And that’s a lot of responsibility to take with you.”  (Fox News)

It’s not just handguns. Gunsite owner Buz Mills added combat tactics with AR-15 and bolt-action rifles. More than 10% of students are women. 

“I think there are a lot more, especially women who are interested in shooting and handguns and protecting themselves,” says retiree Cindy Hartin.

“I’m a little cautious when I mention it to friends and family, but most people are really excited to hear and ask me lots of questions.”

That’s different from 10 or even 20 years ago when Mills says there was more of a stigma attached with gun ownership. Today, that isn’t so much the case in most of America, where Supreme Court decisions and state laws are more friendly to gun rights.

“Are people in general, becoming more comfortable being associated with firearms than they had in the past?” says Mills. “Yes, and that is absolutely the truth. Because firearms are becoming more mainstream.