Join The Women Gun Owners Association of America
The Gold Standard For The Modern Armed Woman
WGOAA isn't just a firearms group — it's a nationwide community built around the armed lifestyle. We train, prepare, and live with the mindset that safety, strength, and self-reliance start with us.
Real training, real women — no boys club, no talking down to you.
Why So Many Women Who Buy Guns Never Actually Carry Them
Dear Friend,
Let me tell you about a woman I met three years ago.
Her name was Maria. Married. Two kids.
She bought her first gun after a break-in in her neighborhood. The kind that makes you lie awake thinking, "What if they'd come when we were home?"
She took a concealed carry course. She learned the fundamentals. She got her permit.
For a month she carried everywhere. In her purse. On her hip. Running errands.
But then...
The Gun Went Back In The Drawer
It started small.
First she left it home for a Target run. "Just this once. I'll only be 20 minutes."
Then she stopped carrying to church. "It feels weird around people I know."
Then she stopped wearing it to work. "My boss might see the outline."
Within six months, Maria's gun was back in the nightstand drawer. Right where it started.
Sound familiar?
What Members Are Saying
"I've been a member of several female centric gun groups. This is the first organization which really integrates self defense and empowerment. The podcasts and website is a safe and reliable source for information and connection."
JA R."I love WGOAA and the online learnings that are available. I appreciate the fact that I feel safe in the learning environment and free to ask questions without condescending answers."
Becky B."I joined because I feel that more women should be armed. As an older woman living and traveling alone I feel more comfortable knowing I can protect myself and maybe others if the need arose."
Pam R."I have been a member for a few months and your webinars have been worth the price of membership."
Patricia C.We value our members' privacy, which is why we don't list images or last names.
Join The Women Gun Owners Association of America
The gold standard for the modern armed woman.
Here's Why Most Women Quit — And Why You Won't
Most women stop carrying within their first year.
Not because they're weak. Not because they don't care. Not because they can't handle it.
They stop because they're doing it alone.
You can't do this alone.
The Truth About The Firearms Industry
Fewer than 8% of firearms instructors in America are women.
You walk into a gun store and get talked down to like you don't know what a magazine is.
You show up to the range and feel eyes on you because you're the only woman there.
You ask a basic question and get a lecture on grain weight, MOA, and "threat neutralization."
You try to find a holster and everything is designed for a flat torso and square hips.
You listen to tactical scenarios while thinking, "I just want to know what to do if someone tries to grab me in a parking lot."
The industry was built by men, for men. And it forgot to make space for you.
Meet Amara Barnes: The Woman Who Refused to Do This Alone
My name is Amara Barnes.
I'm the founder of the Women Gun Owners Association of America.
Before I built this organization, I was a 911 dispatcher who heard the worst of humanity every single day.
I listened to women call for help while their attackers were already inside their homes.
And I knew the truth: help wasn't coming fast enough.
So I got my carry permit. I trained. I practiced.
And I felt the same isolation every armed woman feels — the men at the range who assumed I didn't know what I was doing, the holsters designed for male bodies, the tactics that work great if you're 6'2" and 210 pounds.
The gun industry wasn't built for women.
So in 2021, I founded WGOAA. Not another gun club where men tell you what to do. Not another course that treats you like a smaller version of a man.
A sisterhood of women who made the decision, got the training, and won't quit.
Every Instructor Is A Woman
Certified female instructors take part in the community, teach the courses, and answer questions in plain language.
The Gold Standard For The Modern Armed Woman
WGOAA has grown into a thriving national community of women who take training seriously and refuse to leave their safety to chance.
Not a club. Not a trend.
The gold standard for the modern armed woman.
A modern armed woman governs herself. She answers to her own standards. She doesn't wait for rescue and she doesn't outsource responsibility.
When you join, you're not just gaining access to training. You're stepping into that identity.
Here's Exactly What You Get As A WGOAA Member
The Complete WGOAA Training Library
Forget paying for courses one at a time. Members get instant, unlimited access to the full library.
Carry Like a Woman™ Masterclass
The complete woman-led training on how to actually carry in real life. Holster selection for your body. Wardrobe integration. What to do in the bathroom. Everything the guys never teach you.
Taught by Hannah Hannah (FemNine) & Amara Barnes
Lawful Self Defense
Criminal defense attorney Rachel Moss teaches the legal framework that keeps you out of prison. When you can shoot. When you can't. What to say to police — and what not to say.
Emergency Trauma Care
Jenn Foreman shows you how to stop bleeding, pack wounds, apply tourniquets, and keep someone alive until help arrives.
Plus more complete courses covering everything from firearm fundamentals to the psychology of predators.
12 Live Virtual Tactical Talks A Year
Every month we bring in expert female instructors for live, interactive training sessions.
These aren't lectures. They're real conversations with real women about real challenges.
Ask your specific questions. Hear what other women are working through. Learn from their experience.
The WGOAA Dispatch — Quarterly Print Publication
The only print publication dedicated exclusively to armed American women. Every quarter you'll receive:
- Real stories from armed women across America
- Gear reviews written by women, for women
- Legal updates that affect your right to carry
- Training tips you can actually use
- Member-exclusive savings on firearms, training, and gear
The digital edition lands in your inbox as well.
The Private, Women-Only Community
This is where the real work happens. Inside the members-only community you'll connect with thousands of armed women from across America.
No men. No judgment. No bro science.
- "What holster works with leggings?"
- "How do I carry when I'm wearing a dress to a wedding?"
- "Is it normal to feel scared carrying for the first time?"
Certified female instructors take part in the community alongside members.
Member Pricing On In-Person Events
Regional meetups, range days, and the annual WGOAA gathering.
In-person events are ticketed separately — members pay member pricing.
Plus: Even More Member Benefits
Member Discounts + Store Access
Savings on training, holsters designed for women, self-defense tools, and WGOAA merchandise.
Nationwide Connections
A directory of women-friendly instructors, ranges, and businesses, coast to coast.
Digital Archive Of Past Training
Every webinar. Every Tactical Talk. On demand, any time you want to watch.
Two Ways To Join The Sisterhood
Same community. Same training. The only question is whether you'd rather renew each year or never again.
Annual Membership
That's less than $24.92 a month.
Renews annually. Cancel anytime.
Lifetime Membership
Your price is locked permanently.
Includes the WGOAA Welcome Packet, Signature Bomber Jacket, and a surprise membership package.
In-person events are ticketed separately at member pricing. Virtual Tactical Talks are included.
But Here's What You're Really Getting
Yes, the training library is valuable. Yes, the live virtual Tactical Talks are worth the price on their own.
But that's not why women join WGOAA.
They join because they refuse to do this alone. Because they tried the "guy way" and it didn't work. Because they want to be surrounded by women who made the same decision they did.
They join because they're tired of:
- Feeling judged at the range
- Getting talked down to at gun counters
- Being the only woman in every training course
- Pretending they have it figured out when they don't
They join because they want to be part of the sisterhood.
Don't Wait — The Time To Act Is Now
Join the sisterhood, train with purpose, and live with confidence.
Annual Membership
- Sisterhood Access
- Private Women-Only Community
- Online Training Library
- Uncensored Community Access
- Certified Female Instructors In The Community
- Member Pricing On In-Person Events (ticketed separately)
- Live Virtual Tactical Talks
- Digital Archive Of Recorded Tactical Talks
- Full Access To Online Courses
- Store Discounts
- Digital WGOAA Dispatch Publication
- Quarterly WGOAA Dispatch Print Publication
- Surprise Welcome Gift
Lifetime Membership
- Sisterhood Access
- Private Women-Only Community
- Online Training Library
- Uncensored Community Access
- Certified Female Instructors In The Community
- Member Pricing On In-Person Events (ticketed separately)
- Live Virtual Tactical Talks
- Digital Archive Of Recorded Tactical Talks
- Full Access To Online Courses
- Store Discounts
- Digital WGOAA Dispatch Publication
- Quarterly WGOAA Dispatch Print Publication
- Surprise Welcome Gift
- WGOAA Welcome Packet
- WGOAA Signature Bomber Jacket
- Surprise Membership Package
- WGOAA "Surprise" Box
In-person events are ticketed separately at member pricing.
Everything That Comes With Your Membership
Sisterhood Access
Connect with the female firearms community you've been searching for. Share experiences and grow together in a space dedicated to women's advancement in self-defense.
Private, Women-Only Community
Engage in discussions and network in our safe, uncensored online environment created by and for women.
Certified Female Instructors
Certified female instructors take part in the community, teaching courses and answering questions in plain language.
Comprehensive Online Courses
From beginner to advanced, our curriculum covers every part of practical firearms training.
Quarterly Publication
The only publication devoted entirely to armed American women — stories, gear reviews, legal updates, and training tips.
Digital Archive Access
Every past issue of the Dispatch, available any time you want to read back through it.
Tactical Talk Recordings
Every live virtual Tactical Talk is recorded so you can re-watch or catch the ones you missed.
Member Discounts
Savings on gear and apparel from the WGOAA store.
Support For Women-Owned Firearms Businesses
We help women-owned businesses and shooting groups in the firearms industry get visible and get recognized.
Nationwide Connections
Whether you're looking for local classes or national events, we help connect you with the training you need.
Women Who Stopped Doing This Alone
"I've been a member of several female centric gun groups. This is the first organization which really integrates self defense and empowerment. The podcasts and website is a safe and reliable source for information and connection."
JA R."I love WGOAA and the online learnings that are available. I appreciate the fact that I feel safe in the learning environment and free to ask questions without condescending answers."
Becky B."I joined because I feel that more women should be armed. As an older woman living and traveling alone I feel more comfortable knowing I can protect myself and maybe others if the need arose."
Pam R."I have been a member for a few months and your webinars have been worth the price of membership."
Patricia C.We value our members' privacy, which is why we don't list images or last names.
Before You Join
We offer two memberships. Annual is $299 per year, renews annually, and you can cancel anytime. Lifetime is $1,499 one time — it never renews. You can compare them side by side at wgoaa.org/join.
Lifetime is $1,499, paid once. It never renews. Once that’s paid, you’re done! — Every future online course we release is included for life at no extra charge. Lifetime members also receive a welcome package: the Signature WGOAA Bomber Jacket and the WGOAA Surprise Box.
Everything, on both plans — over time.
What you get right away:
- FREE attendance to our next live virtual training event — live Q&A with the instructor, meet like-minded women, and get all handouts, downloads, and bonus materials. All from your living room sofa. We host 12 training sessions per year. Check the events calendar for the next one.
- “The Powder Room” — our private, members-only community. Connect with instructors and women across the country, protected by the WGOAA firewall.
- The Dispatch — our WGOAA Publication, delivered 4 times per year with articles, discounts, advice columns, and inspiration.
- Apparel store discounts — start shopping at shop.wgoaa.org.
- On-demand recordings — missed the live event? Every replay is inside your membership at no extra charge.
- Invitations to in-person events when we host them.
- All future courses added at no extra charge with an active membership.
What you get over time:
Many of the original 8 courses of The Armed Female Academy, released one by one every few weeks. They remain available for the life of your membership — a $2,999 value, each taught by a different female expert.
We’re women-only — built by women, for women. No bro gun culture, no in-your-face range attitude, no gun-encyclopedia trivia nobody needs. What we teach is awareness, safety, security, preparedness, and self-defense at every level, from women who understand what it’s actually like. We’re nationwide, so you’re not stuck training around whoever happens to be near you. And our community is private and uncensored, behind a firewall.
The Female Firearms Community You've Been Looking For
WGOAA is a sisterhood dedicated to firearm proficiency and self-defense. If you've been on the fence about joining, consider this your sign. The world isn't getting any safer, and the need for well-trained, armed women has never been more pressing.
Most women who buy guns never carry them.
Most women who take a course never practice.
Not because they don't care — because they're doing it alone.
Don't let your gun go back in the drawer. Don't waste the training you've already invested in.
Join the sisterhood. Become a modern armed woman.
Not sure yet? Our Sisterhood Confidence Promise means our team will make it right — reach out at support@wgoaa.org and a real person will help.