Non-Scientific Research
To ensure we’re on the same page, I want to note that when I refer to “pink guns,” I’m also referring to colors like purple and Tiffany blue. Basically, anything that’s explicitly marketed to women is included when I use the term.
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I started with a few polls to get a general idea of how the ladies feel about pink guns. Here are the results.
Would you buy a pink, purple, or Tiffany blue pistol?
- 16% said yes, and 84% said no.
Does the look of a gun matter to you?
- 67% answered yes, and 33% answered no.
If the same pistol came in two versions (one plain and the other being a style you liked), which would you choose?
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33% said they’d choose the plain option, and 67% would choose the stylish one.
Then I opened a question box and asked women to reply and give me their thoughts about pink guns. I wanted to hear it all, the positive and the negative. Here’s where the information got interesting for me.
‘Shrink It and Pink It’
As you can see from the poll results, 84 percent of those who replied said they would not buy a pink gun. And since 67 percent said looks matter, we can assume that pink guns aren’t their style. So, do these ladies hate the color pink, or is it something else?
“This approach has always irritated me because I haven't felt like the manufacturers actually cared about what women want and need in a firearm, and only cared about making it look ‘cute’ so it might appeal to a woman.” -M.K.
A theme that kept coming up in the replies is what’s referred to in the industry as “shrink it and pink it.” Instead of a manufacturer designing a gun for women’s specific needs, it often feels like they take an already popular model, shrink it down, and slap on some pretty paint. This can make women feel like an afterthought where the gun industry is concerned.
Tiny guns are not always automatically the best choice for women. They may be easy to conceal but aren’t usually pleasant to shoot because they’re notoriously snappy. For new shooters, that level of recoil can make it challenging to learn and even turn them off from shooting altogether. It’s also harder to become proficient on a micro-compact if you’re not constantly practicing.
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Lastly, many of these guns fall into the budget-friendly category, which can call reliability into question.
A Mom’s Perspective
“I guarantee if I had a fun-colored gun holstered that my 5-year-old son would have
100 loudly asked questions about it while in a public restroom together.” -H.E.
I don’t have children, so I was grateful to the moms who explained their perspectives. One mother said, “The last thing I want is for my weapon to look like a toy to my children.” Several of the respondents felt anything other than a black gun could be considered a toy to children.
Even though they are teaching their kids gun safety and locking up their guns, they’d still feel uncomfortable with a brightly colored pistol. Play dates are common, and these moms are never sure if kids coming over are trained in gun safety practices.
Will I Be Taken Seriously?
"At first, I thought I would buy something colorful if it were the gun that I wanted. But the more I think about it, I might actually be hesitant to buy something ‘cute’ because I feel like I would get heckled or not taken seriously at the range. It can already be uncomfortable going to the range alone as a woman.” -N.T.
I was surprised at how many women said they’d like to have a pretty gun but felt it gave off a negative perception. They seemed sure the instructor wouldn't take them seriously if they attended classes with a pink pistol. I had never thought of that (maybe because my husband taught me initially) but I can see where they are coming from.
In Defense of Pink Guns
The feedback wasn’t all negative when it comes to pink guns. In fact, I received some thoughtful messages in defense of pink guns.
“I exclusively teach women, and I offer all different choices, including the notorious pink guns. In many classes,
I’ve seen women visibly lower their guard because of this option.” -P.R.
The female instructors chimed in, and several had similar sentiments. One mentioned that she has customized some of her black guns with girly grips to make them feel less intimidating. I’m all for anything that opens the doors to more women learning to shoot and defend themselves. If pink guns are the gateway for some, that’s a good thing.
“My gun is Tiffany blue, and I love it. I’m not super girly, but I also appreciate pretty things.” -J.L.
Sometimes, we just want something pretty, and that’s okay. I’ve always been more of a tomboy, but style and aesthetic are important to me. I like nice-looking things, and while I’ve not considered a pink gun, I like to add my touch with gold accents.
“I bought my daughter a pink .22 that she loves, and it means a lot to me that she’s interested in learning to shoot.” -R.M.
I did ask the guys to sit this scientific discussion out, but the above message from a dad made me smile. I’m sure a lot of fathers feel if their daughters go shooting with them, they’ll buy any color gun they want, provided it is the right choice of firearm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the opinions are not always black and white when it comes to pink guns. The “anti-pink” crowd has taught me that it’s less about the color and more about what’s being offered and how it’s marketed.
The “pro-pink” crowd has reminded me that gun ownership is not one-size-fits-all. My opinion? Buy what you like, but make an informed decision. Function matters more than form when it comes to guns, but in many ways, we can have both.
