Meet the gorgeous gun girls of Instagram

For the men who follow them, the gun girls of Instagram are the beautiful blend of delicate little lady and deadly machinery.

For the men who fawn over them, the fusion of females and firearms is practically irresistible.

But these women aren’t doing this for men. Quite the contrary, the gun girls of Instagram are taking photos with their weapons to empower other women. They aspire to overcome the social stigma that women can’t have fun with guns. And they’re doing it well. These ladies are picturesque demonstrations that guns aren’t only for old white men anymore.

So don’t let their gorgeous photos fool you – these women can shoot more than just a camera.

Liberte Austin

When did you start gaining a big Instagram following?

I’ve been hunting for ten years. But until a couple years ago, I didn’t even know what a selfie was. I first got on Facebook and Instagram only two years ago. I’d started doing photography as a side business, and one day I posted a picture of me with an animal I’d hunted, and it got shared over and over again. Then all of the sudden, I was in the limelight.

Are you trying to promote a lifestyle?

Yes, absolutely. I want to promote a lifestyle of women protecting themselves. I actually had an incident where someone broke into my apartment. He was a serial rapist. Prior to us, he'd just stabbed a woman and her boyfriend. He had every intention of killing us, but I managed to stop the attack by escaping. I now carry my pistol every day.

What inspired you to take on this American/conservative persona?

It’s funny, everyone told me that if I wanted to make it as a woman in the gun industry, I had to stop being so political. They said I was too right-wing. But too many people sugarcoat how they feel. They wash out their real personalities to become an accepted member of society. I’m a conservative. I’m a Christian. I always say what I want, I don’t care what people think, and it’s actually earned me a lot of respect among my community.

Do you receive a lot of negative feedback?

Oh yeah, I’ve gotten death threats. Primarily from animal rights activists who hate me because I’m a hunter. I’ll also get attacked by Miley Cyrus’ child militia. Any time she posts an anti-hunting tweet, me and tons of other hunters will immediately get berated by 12-year-olds.

What message do you want to send to your followers?

I love that women are gaining an interest in this industry. But I want them to be educated, and to understand the consequences of owning a firearm.  Owning a gun is not a game. It’s not for glamor. It’s a huge responsibility. 

Do you think women posting pictures with guns is a growing trend?

When I first started, no girls wanted to hunt. But now, women posing with guns is definitely a growing trend. They’re seeing these veteran women who work in the gun industry, and they’re saying “if she can do it, I can do it!” We’re media influences, and we’re motivating people to join our lifestyle.

Follow Liberte Austin on Instagram here

Lidia Porter

When did you start gaining an Instagram following?

When I was working for an automatic rifle manufacturer, I used to take pictures of myself building the ARs. People started to follow me and ask questions about the products.

Who are most of your followers?

Most of my followers are men. That’s okay, but I would prefer mostly women. I want to promote the lifestyle of everyday girls who are interested in guns. Sometimes, I’ll have women comment on my photos, asking what gun to purchase for their first time, what holsters to get, or what to wear to the range. I absolutely love answering those questions.

What inspired you to take on this American persona?

I take on an American persona because that’s my life. I was in the military, I’m religious, and I represent what America’s all about. My ancestors came here to get a better life. I went to college and worked hard to earn everything I have. 

Do you think women posting pictures with guns is a growing trend?

Yes, it’s definitely a growing trend. When I first starting doing this, I didn’t see any women in the gun industry. But now, more women are realizing that guns are fun. In fact, now the NRA is even marketing towards women, making commercials about mothers protecting their children and taking their kids to the gun range.

Do you get paid for your posts?

I don’t accept payment for my posts. I’m not gonna promote something I don’t like. And if I like it, I won’t charge for it. My social media isn’t about promoting brands. I’m just showing off my lifestyle.

What message do you want to send to your followers?

I want my Instagram to challenge social norms, but I also want it to be fun and educational. I want to share a message of safety, especially for mothers. As moms, we need to teach our children how to handle guns properly if we want to keep them safe.

Follow Lidia Porter on Instagram here

Breanne

When did you start gaining a big Instagram following?

I’ve been shooting since I was in 3rd grade. So it started out as just a hobby. It was only after I met a photographer in Hawaii and he started taking photos of me and the guns that I started gaining a following.

What kinds of comments do you get on photo with gun?

I get the gun enthusiasts – who ask about the gun’s make, model, and specs.
I get the admirers – who say, “Very pretty” or ask, “Will you marry me?”
And then of course, I get the haters, who ask, “Do you even know how to handle that??” My usual response to them is, “I know how to load more than just a dishwasher.”

Do you receive a lot of negative feedback?

Of course. This is one of the toughest industries because there are some people who want women to dress like a nun at the gun range. They think less of you for dressing feminine. But I’m not going to wear pants in 100 degree weather just to please those people. I worked hard for my body, and I’m going to flaunt it.

Do you think women posting pictures with guns is a growing trend?

A couple years ago, you could hardly find women with a gun on social media. Now, you’re finding experienced women who know how to own and operate a firearm. They’re realizing that it’s fun, and they start broadcasting it because they’re excited to overcome something they previously saw as taboo.

What message do you want to send to your followers?

I am a woman, and I do all types of modeling and sometimes I show skin, but I can still live in a man’s world. I believe that women should feel sexy in anything they wear. Pants or short skirts, it doesn’t matter. Women shouldn’t have to feel judged. 

Find Breanne on Instagram.

[Originally published December 21, 2017]