In a world full of cautionary tales, where women are often advised to keep their guards up, one Black Woman is rewriting the script with firearms in tow. Robin Evans is single-handedly dismantling the stereotypes and myths associated with firearms protection through Chicks with Triggers™ and teaching thousands of women across the country to use pistols, shotguns, and semi-automatic weapons for self-defense.
“Self-defense is something that has always been instilled in me,” Evans reflects. “My father, a retired NYPD officer and martial arts Grandmaster, has always taught me to never back down and to not take shit from anyone. Although I’ve always been around guns, I was 16 when he officially began teaching me how to shoot and use knives. I was about to go off to college, and he wanted to make sure I could whoop someone’s ass if need be!”
The National Rifle Association (NRA) certified instructor recalls hearing the traumatic stories of other young women who had differing undergraduate experiences from the one she was physically prepared for. “Hearing about them being sexually assaulted, harassed, and stalked made me go back to my roots. It made me get my gun back out. Everyone talks about protecting Black Women, but wasn’t teaching them how to protect themselves, and that’s when Chicks with Triggers was born. I am a Black Woman teaching other Black Women how to be prepared to defend themselves,” she asserts.
Learn to Use Firearms, But Make It Chic
Chicks with Triggers™ isn’t just a firearms protection brand, it’s a cultural revolution and safe haven for those who believe in its mission and utilizing their Second Amendment rights. Educating and certifying over 4,000 women since its inception in 2021, the emerging brand is making its undeniable mark in history.
“The concept of Chicks with Triggers™ is a whole vibe of its own! It’s far from what the ‘standard’ firearm business is or looks like. We know representation matters, and being a Black-owned, woman-owned business in this industry was almost nonexistent.”
Robin Evans, Chicks with Triggers™
“While I wanted to create an environment where Black Women were gaining the information they needed, I had to make it a vibe for us. Women show up and see that other women and the instructor look like them, share similar backgrounds and beliefs, and show up just as they are.”
But it doesn’t stop there, the protective brand takes self-defense to a whole new level of embracing the culture. “I’ve built Chicks with Triggers to be a vibe. We even listen to music from Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Cardi B,” Evans adds. “There’s no judgment, and all my guns have luxury attached. Whether it’s Louis Vuitton guns, Tiffany blue guns, or hot pink guns, you’re getting a valuable experience, while being comfortable handling firearms. That’s what my brand is all about— educating Black Women on how to have that bad bitch energy while being authentic to who they are and protecting themselves at the same time.”
The Truth About Concealed Weapons Permits
When it comes to the misconceptions surrounding Concealed Weapons Permits (CWPs), Evans is quick to set the record straight. “One of the biggest misconceptions is thinking a CWP is just about learning how to properly use a gun. While that is included, it’s only a part of the equation. The most important part of the CWP class is learning and understanding your state laws, your rights and responsibilities, and being clear on the do’s and don’ts. We want you to be able to protect your life, but we also want to keep you out of jail.”
For women on the journey to self-defense, Evans advises women themselves to be their greatest weapon. “I want all the women reading this to know that you have the power in you to fight back. You have the power in you to stand up for yourself and your family. It’s always been in you. I’m just here to help you manifest it into reality,” she encouraged.
As for the mission of the firearms brand, the self-defense advocate leaves no room for doubt, asserting that the brand is here to stay. ”We will do no harm, but we will absolutely take no nonsense, and we are going to change what the firearm industry looks like. Black Women will learn how to use all the weapons necessary to become their own first responders. Chicks with Triggers™ is for the culture. [It’s] for us!”
Becoming Your Own First Responder
Chicks with Triggers™ recently opened their brick-and-mortar location in Greenville, South Carolina. The self-defense brand currently offers classes for all levels of firearms experience in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.
“Whether you’re just starting out or have been shooting all your life, I have a class for you,” she shared. “Some women are ready to dive right into a class, so they pick what’s best for their experience level. For those who are new and hesitant, I always invite them to come to ladies’ night at the range with me, just to get their feet wet and see if this is something they would like to continue with. Along with basic pistol classes, I also offer advanced pistol classes, tactical classes, knife fighting, and hand-to-hand combat classes. We believe a woman should be able to defend herself and her family from every angle.”
