First Coast Women "Packing Heat"

By Tiani Jones First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Some might say shooting is a mans sport, but, to that Bruce Wells with the Gateway Rifle Pistol Club says, "Absolutely not."

There is something about guns, that most people don't associate with women.

"We're raised to cook and clean, and work and raise children, and safety just isn't our number one priority usually," said Christine Peacock.

It's exactly the perception one criminal had when he tried to rob Peacock Thursday night while she was going through a fast food drive-thru.

She, along with the robbery suspect, learned quickly the power of having a gun in a scary situation.

"That I could pull it, and use it as force," she said.

It just so happens she was in her boyfriend's car, along with his gun. Something she didn't necessarily agree with.

"I didn't believe that everybody should carry a gun at all times. I thought it was too overprotective," she said.

"I have seen a big increase of women buying more guns, and not necessarily for self defense, but for enjoyment," said Wells.

He's seen a great increase of women purchasing guns, but, it's not for reasons you may think. It seems some women get a kick out of the sport of handling a gun.

"This lady was ordering about a $2,000 to $3,000 AR-15, because she enjoyed shooting that much," said Wells of a woman he encountered at gun shop.

He says, "The women have really taken off and done well in the shooting sports."

Christine may not decide to become a master rifleman, but, her days of traveling unarmed are over.

"I plan on enrolling in a concealed weapons permit class, and purchasing my own gun, having one with me at all times."

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