NaturallyArmed 8/8/25-Journey to Protect and Inspire

The energy at our August 8th NaturallyArmed women’s empowerment event in Woodland Park, North Jersey, was electric. Women drove two-plus hours from Philly and Gloucester County, passing dozens of ranges, to join us.. We also had sinister from Passaic and Essex county join on a warm Friday afternoon.That dedication -It hit me hard. They took time off work, carved out space in their busy lives, to be part of this movement. I was absolutely floored and fiercely proud that the women traveled over two hours, choosing Naturally Armed to empower themselves. August marks our one-year anniversary.

NaturallyArmed began because I saw a gap while working at a range. People came and went, but I wasn’t reaching my community-especially black and brown folks who face systemic barriers to our Second Amendment rights. New Jersey’s strict gun laws disproportionately impact our communities, and the historical and current narrative around black and brown people defending themselves is rooted in racism. But let’s be clear: protecting yourself and your loved ones is a divine right. You were put here with a purpose, and to fulfill it, you need to be safe. Our event brought together women who’d never touched a firearm, others who’d owned one since pre-COVID but never opened the box, and some healing from personal tragedies. They opened up, shared their stories, and found release in a space that felt safe and empowering.

NaturallyArmed is about responsible firearm ownership-yes, for protection, but also for advocacy, stress relief, building and supporting communities and sport. It’s an all in one to me, and it can be whatever you need it to be. Whether I’m talking to one person or 80 the energy’s the same. One conversation can shift how someone views firearms or even themselves-encouraging them to step boldly into spaces they didn’t think they belonged in. You deserve to be protected. We all do.

NaturallyArmed is here to educate, empower, and encourage.Year one is just the start. Join this movement-what are you waiting for? We are our own first responders. Now say it with me “I deserve to be protected, you deserve to be protected, we deserve to be protected.”