Last weekend I had the opportunity to participate in a two day Ladies Defensive Handgun Course hosted by Armed in Heels and taught by Fred Mastison of Force Options. This is what I learned: the instructor makes all the difference.  I was able to have amazing experiences to help me associate firearms with exhilaration and empowerment while breaking and overcoming some associations with fear. Here is what I learned about the process of seeking firearms training.

This is my story. How I, Jacquelyn Kelly, went from terrified of firearms to Armed in Heels...... My husband could tell that I was intrigued. He asked if I wanted to try. I stepped up to the table, caught sight of a pistol, and the tears began. “Put it away,” I said. I went back to the car and waited for everyone else to be done. Four years passed until we spoke of firearms again.

With the success of the Flashbang, Ultimate Concealed Carry was able to develop holsters for all purposes. The Betty is one of the most comfortable inside the waist holsters on the market for woman. Designed to be very versatile, the Betty is able to be worn on the hip, towards your back, in a purse or even in a boot. The durable thermo-plastic holster will keep your firearm secure and handy.

The process of buying a firearm comes up regularly for us. Many people are suprised that it is even possible. So we here at Armed in Heels want to educate you on the process and clear up any confusion you may have!

This week I had the pleasure of working with Britney Starr, Associate Editor of Women's Outdoor News (WON). We had a great time!!  Who wouldn't love the opportunity to chat about firearms, fashion, and Armed in Heels?!?!  

** Written byExpert Guest Blogger Gracie of Packing Pretty **

You don’t have to be a news junkie to know that there is an increasing trend in home invasions and that violent crimes are “business as usual” anymore.  There are a lot of “monsters” out there, and self defense should be on everyone’s mind; not just the minds of the avid gun toters and dedicated martial artists.  That’s where the ZAP flashlight/Stun Gun comes in. This tool is a very effective option for those who don’t want to, or can’t carry a handgun for defense. Remember to Check out Gracie's Blog at http://www.PackingPretty.com !!

** Written byExpert Guest Blogger Gracie of Packing Pretty **
The Ruger LC 9 is what is often referred to as a “pocket pistol” because it is a slim, compact handgun that fits easily in your pocket. These little guns are great for deep concealment so , naturally, I was excited to finally get my hands on one, and this is what I found. Remember to Check out Gracie's Blog at http://www.PackingPretty.com !!

** Written byExpert Guest Blogger Gracie of Packing Pretty **

I was so excited when I saw the UnderTech Undercover Women’s Ultimate Compression Shorts on the Armed in Heels website that I had to try them out for myself. Here is what I found: all in all, I would recommend these shorts for women and men alike. Remember to Check out Gracie's Blog at http://www.PackingPretty.com !!

** Written by Expert Guest Blogger Gracie of Packing Pretty **
Concealed carry for a woman can be a difficult task.  Every woman who is an avid gun carrier has felt the frustrations of trying to figure out just where to hide that thing.  There are so many choices out there, from purses to thy holsters, that the options seem overwhelming. Every woman, every gun and every outfit seems to need something different.  Here are a few suggestions on how to master “deep-concealment”. Remember to Check out Gracie's Blog at http://www.PackingPretty.com !!

The key to the successful use of any firearm is practice. This is especially true when considering firearms for self-defense situations where they may be concealed and involve innovative draws. With long days and our multiple responsibilities, sometimes finding time to get the range is out of the question. The LaserLyte Target Training System might just be the solution for all us busy females out there (ok, males too).

We are excited to announce that Armed in Heels is teaming up with Packing Pretty’s own Gracie to bring you expert insights to the latest self-defense and firearms products for females!!!

This blog goes out to all the teachers and students who find themselves on educational campuses that may have weapon restrictions.  Owned by educators, Armed in Heels understands that there may be times when you find yourself in weapon free zones yet still need to have objects for self-defense. Whether you are taking night classes at your college or teaching courses a few times a week, the walk back to the parking lot (which is sometimes as much as a quarter mile away) is a lot scarier alone at night than while the sun is shining and there are people all around.  So what do you do if you frequent places with weapon restrictions?

One of our goals at SHOT Show was to find a variety of trendy options for female concealed carry purses.  Because who says we can’t be trendy while carrying!?!?  This year we found 4 vendors selling some stylish bags with different features and at various price points. All MSRPs are suggested by retailers, but at Armed in Heels, we will do our best to bring these products to you at a fantastic price. Here are our top picks now carried by Armed in Heels.

There are so many choices when trying to decide which firearm to choose as a female for concealed carry. It can be overwhelming when trying to decide. We met with a variety of firearms manufacturers at SHOT Show 2012 and asked them a question “Which firearm would you most recommend for female concealed carry?” Then we asked why.  We got answers ranging from medium to extra small size, small to large caliber, semi-automatic to revolver. Look for these products at Armed in Heels. So here they are, straight from the manufacturers’ booths, top recommendations for female concealed carry.

The new Ruger SR-22 Pistol draws from the designs of the SR9 and SR40. While many reviewers have disliked the pistols size because it is not a 1:1 scale of the SR guns, we find this as a plus. Since most firearms are designed for men, the grip to trigger distance tends to be a little long for the average woman. But this pistol is a slightly scaled down version of the Ruger SR series of firearms, which means the smaller dimensions of the handgun could be perfect for you if you have struggled with bulky firearms in the past.   READ MORE