She Shooters

She-Shooters operates as a division of FreeState Gun Range and exists specifically to bridge the gap between intimidation and empowerment for female shooters. Founded by Beth Hoke and Stephanie Leigh—both licensed firearms instructors in Maryland—the program answers one core question: How do we get more women confident and skilled with firearms?

HQL Certification Classes - Four-hour Handgun Qualification License course ($175, includes fingerprinting) - $50 application fee to Maryland State Police - Meets state requirements for first-time regulated firearm purchases - Walk-ins welcome; register online or in-store

Concealed Carry (CCW) Instruction - 16-hour Maryland State Police-mandated course - Live Scan fingerprinting - 25-round shooting qualification (70% minimum passing score) - Covers Maryland's shall-issue CCW process (post-July 2022) - Guidance through the ~90-day MSP review and approval timeline

Range Groups & Community Shoots - Monthly "She-Shooters" meetups on the range - Firearm exposure events where women try new platforms - Community focus on peer support and encouragement - Mix of handguns, AR-15s, and shotguns available during group sessions

Individual Instruction & Consulting - First-time buyer guidance (choosing your first firearm) - Maryland-specific firearms law and compliance - Shooting fundamentals and technique refinement - Personal defense readiness training

"My biggest pet peeve is hearing 'you're a woman, you need a small gun.' Women in the firearms community do not have to be put in a box. We can do anything!" — Beth Hoke

The instructors actively fight against gatekeeping and bad assumptions. No student is too new, no question too basic. The training material covers what actually happens in real scenarios versus TV/movie versions of shooting and self-defense.

• •New shooters worried about looking foolish or making mistakes
• •First-time handgun buyers confused by HQL requirements and selection
• •Women interested in CCW permits navigating Maryland's certification process
• •Experienced shooters wanting to expand skills (competition, new calibers, platforms)
• •Women seeking self-defense confidence without judgment or condescension

The She-Shooters blog covers practical topics: - Dry fire training and practice methods - Firearm safety fundamentals - Home invasion defense scenarios - Carjacking survival - Choosing between calibers (.380 ACP vs. 9mm vs. 30 Super Carry) - CCW permit requirements and regulations - Shooting with progressive glasses - What to wear during training

They also maintain connections with: - Central Maryland Chapter of Armed Women of America - Maryland State Police licensing division - FreeState Gun Range facilities and rental inventory

Operating from FreeState Gun Range facilities in Maryland, She-Shooters instructors are available for classes, group instruction, and one-on-one coaching. Email contacts provided for class registration and questions.

Unlike generic firearms instruction, She-Shooters specifically addresses the psychology of introducing women to shooting—removing shame, dispelling myths, and building genuine community among female shooters. The emphasis is on skill-building in a non-intimidating environment where beginners and experienced shooters learn together.