Hot video and stats: Women Driving Guns Sales Up

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOX) – As St. Louis prepares to welcome tens of thousands of gun enthusiasts, you might be surprised who the NRA says is their largest growing demographic.

It’s women. And a recent survey by the National Shooting Sports Foundation found 61 percent of retailers saw an increase of female customers from 2009 to 2010.

Karl Schoenbeck owns On Target, a gun shop and shooting range in Valley Park, Mo. He says part of the increase is due to women who are learning to defend themselves with fire arms.

“We’re running concealed carry classes to teach women how to carry on the street,” said Schoenbeck.

Starting May 1st, On Target is offering woman’s only night at the range.

The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau says that with more than 60,000 people are expected to attend the NRA convention this weekend. No doubt nearly half will be women.