Hello Kitty and pink paint: Gun manufacturers targeting female market with girly 'purse pistols'

The London Daily Mail ^ | March 21, 2011 | Sadie Whitelocks

[2ndDivisionVet]

Gun manufacturers have been responding to a soaring interest from women with female-friendly 'purse pistols' in an array of trend-led colours and designs. Despite the concerns of anti-gun campaigners, there has been an 83 per cent rise in the number of women buying firearms for personal defence, and handbag-sized models are fast becoming a sought-after accessory across the U.S.

Most weapon brands now offer a 'female-friendly' range that wouldn't look out of place in a toy shop, with many offering to customise pistols with pink paintwork and Swarovski crystals.

The soaring demand for firearms for women follows the endorsement of celebrities like Rhianna, who has gun tattoos, and Angelina Jolie, who admitted to buying real versions of the props she wielded as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider.

And when Sarah Palin admitted to being a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, membership soared by 20 per cent.

Manufacturer Taurus has a range of pistols with pink mother of pearl hand grips, while TJ’s Custom Gunworks will embellish weapons with the Hello Kitty logo. Sig Sauer, which supplies the US military, also offers several designs, including the P238 Lady, which boasts scroll engraving, gold flower inlay, and a rosewood grip....

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Brits just don't get this at all.

[null and void]

Say Hello to my lil' Kitt'

[Celtic Cross]

I would assume that any women who is interested in carrying a gun is kinda beyond the cutesy-glitter/kitty-cat thing.

[Fido969]

I would assume that any women who is interested in carrying a gun is kinda beyond the cutesy-glitter/kitty-cat thing.

Dude, though many would be loathe to admit it, almost NO woman is beyond the "cutesy-glittering/kitty-cat thing".

[Joined2Justify]

Its the Biz end I dont want to see no MATTER the colors... !

[RikaStrom]

Ok, I don't want crystals on my grips! Can you imagine the pain after a while?

Besides, gunmetal grey goes with everything. ;-)

[Noumenon]

Hello Kalashnikov...

[SampleMan]

And those girly purse pistols will kill a rapist dead as hell.

[trisham]

I’m not against it. :)

[JoeProBono]

[MrEdd]

You would be wrong.

[Celtic Cross]

Do you happen to have a pink gun? :)

[ivoteright]

I have a concealed carry license, and I am not above having a pink gun. Yes, I think they are cute! However, I worry about other people believing it is a child’s toy.

[HungarianGypsy]

It’s what makes it that much more awesome. A girly girl who knows how to shoot.

[hoagy62]

My sister's husband spent a good deal of time customizing an AR-15 for my sister. It's a pinkish-purple with ‘tiger-style’ stripes the full length of the gun. My sis once had a picture on Facebook with her holding the weapon with an enormous grin, but she removed it for security purposes. Didn't want to give any potential thieves any ideas.

Given how well-armed my sister and her hubby are, it's not likely a thief would've survived the encounter anyway.

[Blue Collar Christian]

[I would assume that any women who is interested in carrying a gun is kinda beyond the cutesy-glitter/kitty-cat thing.]

Mrs. BCC’s Ruger P89 (yes, she has a big purse) was just dandy till these girly pistols came out. Oh, well, any excuse to buy a new gun is good enough for me.

[humblegunner]

If anyone could pull it off...

[KC_Lion]

Nothing like an adorable way to reach out and take off someones arm at 500 meters.

My mom is British and she loves to shoot guns. That is one of her Favorite pass times when she comes to the states to visit.

[PA Engineer]

That is nice. Expensive, but nice. I can’t seem to find if this comes in a chrome version. Wife is allergic to nickel and have been looking to find her something that is both lightweight and concealable. Wow. Maybe I’ll get one for the second carry.

[SaxxonWoods]

I don’t see the problem here...