— More women are buying guns, and local firearm training centers are working to make the experience more female-friendly as a result.

For a women's group at Raleigh's Triangle Shooting Academy, marksmanship and fellowship go together.

"These women are good," said Nancy Wilson, an instructor. "They're good because they practice."

Women own guns for different reasons, but more women than men cite personal protection for their decision.

A friend told Suzie Arnold she should buy a gun and learn how to use it.

"Because things were not going to get any better...and I needed to protect myself," she said.

After a divorce, Christina Cappaus felt more vulnerable. "I didn't know where I was going to be living, but I was going to be living alone," said Cappaus​​​​​​, who decided training was essential for safe and responsible gun ownership.

It helped that Triangle Shooting Academy had programs tailored for women.

"Our needs are different," Cappaus said. "Our interests and our motivations are often different."

Wilson said the women's group is more supportive than competitive.

"It's a community," she said. "They can learn together...they can shoot together and improve their skills in shooting."

According to Wilson, some women go on to compete in local events.

One of her students, Megan Proctor, said the overall experience makes her more aware of her surroundings.

"They're so good about teaching you not just about ways to defend yourself, but ways to avoid getting into the situations -- because the goal is not to have to uses these skills at any point," she said.

According to a Pew Research Center survey, women who own guns tend to become gun owners at a later age than men. On average, women who own a gun get their first one by age 27, compared to age 19 for men.