2,454 Women Learned to Shoot Free in One Weekend in Metro Detroit
Record turnout at the 15th annual free shooting lesson for women
Image courtesy CCWhub.com.
A total of 2,454 women took a free shooting lesson over two days at Recoil Firearms in Taylor, Michigan on July 25 and 26, the largest turnout in the 15-year history of the event.
Every woman who attended received one-on-one instruction from a certified volunteer coach, fired live ammunition on the range, and paid nothing. The pistol, the ammunition, the targets, and the eye and ear protection were all provided.
Image courtesy CCWhub.com.
From 12 to 112 years old
The lesson began in 2012, when Detroit firearms instructor Rick Ector read about a woman who was attacked and left for dead on a Detroit street. His response was to teach women to defend themselves and to charge them nothing. More than 14,000 women have now taken the lesson.
“From 12 to 112 years old, they are welcome,” said Tanisha Moner, one of the event coordinators and NRA Women’s 2026 Woman of the Year.
Attendees ranged from grandmothers to college students, nurses, veterans, and women who had never touched a firearm before that morning. Most walked out carrying the first target they ever shot.
Image courtesy CCWhub.com.
The Women Who Came
“I think women need to protect themselves and I think it’s just a good thing to be safe.”
Alexis Simmons, of Detroit
“I’m a little bit nervous to be honest. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Savannah Lorenz, of Roseville, before her first session
“Good to see a bunch of women coming out to support each other doing the same thing.”
Hayley Delpier, of Roseville
“We want to give them the opportunity that a gun is simply a tool.”
Candy Petticord, volunteer instructor
Image courtesy CCWhub.com.
$180,000 Worth Of Gear, Instruction And Range Time Donated
The weekend was underwritten by Firearms Legal Protection, the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, Michigan Gun Owners, ATEi, Recoil Firearms, and CCW Hub. Bought at market rates, the instruction, range time, and equipment given away over the two days would run more than $180,000.
Registration, session scheduling, e-ticketing, online waivers, and door check-in for all 2,454 attendees ran on CCW Hub, the platform that supports firearms instructors nationwide.
A full record of the weekend, including attendance figures, the volunteer roster, sponsors, and photographs, is published at https://www.ccwhub.com/free-lesson/2026.
Future events will be announced at https://www.ccwhub.com/free-lesson.
About Legally Armed In Detroit
Legally Armed In Detroit was founded by firearms instructor Rick Ector and has offered a free shooting lesson for women every summer since 2012. The event is funded entirely by sponsors and staffed entirely by volunteers.
About CCW Hub
CCW Hub is the booking and operations platform for firearms instructors, handling class listings, registration, payments, waivers, and student communication. Learn more at https://www.ccwhub.com.
