For the woman who doesn’t want anyone to know she doesn’t know.
What to Say at the Gun Counter —
and the 6 Red Flags That Mean Walk Out.
36 pages of exactly what to look for — and what to look out for —
when you buy your first handgun. Or your next one.
Written for women, by women. Free.
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Why this guide exists
I sat in a parking lot outside a gun store for ten minutes and could not make myself walk in.
I did not know what to ask. I did not know what I was allowed to touch. And more than any of it, I did not want anyone in there to know that I did not know.
So I went in unprepared, and I very nearly bought the wrong firearm on the advice of a man who had never held my hands. What saved me was luck — a stranger in the next lane who let me try his girlfriend’s gun.
Luck is not a plan. Every woman should not have to find the right firearm by accident.
So I wrote down everything I needed that day and did not have. What to decide before you leave the house. What to say at the counter, word for word. What they are allowed to hand you, and what should make you walk out. It is free, and there is nothing to buy at the end of it.
— AmaraFounder & Lead Instructor, WGOAA
What’s waiting inside
The 5 sentences to say at the counter — including the one that changes how they treat you in about ten seconds. PAGE 13
The 6 red flags that mean leave this store and don’t go back. PAGE 14
Why “just get a little revolver, honey” is the worst advice most women are handed — and the one question that settles it. PAGE 15
If you can’t rack the slide: why it is almost never about strength — and what it actually is. PAGE 17
The 3 decisions to make at your kitchen table — free, in your pajamas, before you spend a dollar. PAGE 9
The 14-point checklist to print and take to the counter with you. PAGE 33
“I have always felt uncomfortable or invisible in gun stores and would like the knowledge to handle a firearm with confidence. This class has given me that confidence to know that this is something that I can learn and be proficient at with enough practice. Thank you!”
— Heather G., May 2026
We value our members’ privacy, which is why we don’t list images or last names.
Women Gun Owners Association of America
1309 Coffeen Ave, Ste 1200 · Sheridan, WY 82801
[email protected]
© 2026 Women Gun Owners Association of America. All rights reserved.
Educational material only. This guide and this website are for informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for hands-on training with a qualified instructor, and are not legal advice. Firearms laws vary significantly by state, county and municipality, and they change. Verify the requirements where you live and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice about your own situation. Nothing here should be used to handle, load, carry or operate any firearm without qualified in-person instruction. By using these materials you agree to do so safely and lawfully, and to keep them away from minors and anyone not competent to handle a firearm.