More and more women embracing gun ownership

The face of the American gun owner is changing. More women than ever are picking up rifles, shotguns, and handguns. And target shooting is one of the fastest-growing female sports. But, looks can be deceiving. We're not talking "Dirty Harriet" here, notes "Early Show" contributor Katrina Szish. Female participation in target shooting in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the last decade, growing to nearly five million women since 2001. Pistol-shooting mommas and rifle-wielding yoga instructors may not be the type of woman who comes to mind when you hear about female shooters, but they're dominating the sport. They say they shoot not only for self-protection, but because it relieves stress, helps them find peace and concentration and - feel feminine. For instance, Deirdre Gailey, who says, "I'm a yoga instructor, I work at a vegan bakery -- and I also like to shoot guns." Aren't guns and shooting the opposite of yoga's Zen experience? "Yoga's Zen-like quality can be applied to shooting guns in a lot of ways,' says Gailey. "Shooting guns takes focus, concentration, and it doesn't always have to be about violence." "(When I cook)," Gailey added, "I use a chef's knife. You have respect for a knife as a tool that you use in your craft. And I think guns can be used in the same way." The target shooting industry now caters to female shooters. There are pink pistols, and even purses with holster slots...more