Twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, we host our Women Only Weekend firearm training courses at River Valley Arms & Ammo in Morton, Minnesota. And every single time, we're reminded why we love doing this so much.

Our Fall 2026 Women Only Weekend took place October 10-11, and we had an incredible group of women join us for two days of learning, laughter, firearm safety, personal defense, and a whole lot of confidence building.

Some came with experience. Others had barely handled a firearm before. But every single woman showed up for the same underlying reason: to take ownership of her own knowledge, safety, and confidence.

And THAT is something worth celebrating!

Why Women Only Weekend Means So Much to Us

For those who don't know, Women Only Weekend is a bit of a passion project for Becky and me.

When I purchased my first defensive handgun, I brought my dad along. He's the one who introduced me to firearms, and I was excited to make my first purchase. I walked into the gun shop, started asking questions, and every time I asked the salesman something, he turned and answered my dad.

Um, excuse me, sir. I'M the one buying the gun.

That experience stuck with me. In fact, it was one of the defining moments that inspired me to become a firearms instructor. I wanted to change my little corner of the firearms industry and make sure women felt welcomed, respected, and empowered to learn.

Becky's journey into firearms was different, but equally meaningful. She's faced her own fears, overcame them, and now helps other women do the same.

Together, we've created a weekend where there are no stupid questions, no judgment, and absolutely no expectation that you should already know what you're doing.

Different Women. Different Stories. One Common Goal.

One of my favorite parts of Women Only Weekend is hearing WHY women decided to sign up.

This fall, we had a little bit of everything!

A couple of our ladies already participate in Defensive Pistol League but wanted to broaden their firearms knowledge beyond handguns. One is even preparing for a rifle hunt this fall and wanted a refresher and some extra practice before heading into the field.

Others didn't grow up around firearms but now have significant others who enjoy shooting. Rather than relying on someone else to teach them, they decided to take the initiative and learn for themselves.

And one woman joined us after a frightening experience being followed by someone. She wanted to feel more prepared, understand her options, and build a foundation in personal defense, including firearms and other defensive tools.

Different backgrounds. Different motivations. But every woman made the choice to show up for herself.

That's pretty dang awesome if you ask us.

Building Skills, One Step at a Time

Our Women Only Weekend isn't about turning everyone into a competitive shooter overnight. It's about building a solid foundation and becoming more comfortable with firearms at your own pace.

Throughout the weekend, we covered everything from firearm safety and basic operation to hands-on experience with rifles, shotguns, revolvers, and semi-automatic handguns.

We also explored Minnesota Permit to Carry training and personal defense concepts, including situational awareness and defensive options beyond firearms.

Some women attended the entire weekend, while others chose the individual courses that fit their needs.

The goal isn't perfection. It's progress. (Little shoutout to our friends at one of our local gyms here, Functional Fitness, who has this plastered on the walls of their gym!)

And watching that progress happen, especially when someone goes from nervous and uncertain to smiling with confidence, is one of the most rewarding parts of being an instructor.

Here's to the Women Who Showed Up!

To every woman who joined us for our Fall 2026 Women Only Weekend: THANK YOU!

Thank you for trusting us, asking questions, challenging yourselves, and being willing to try something new.

Whether you came to overcome a fear, prepare for hunting season, become a more confident gun owner, or simply learn something new, we hope you walked away feeling a little more empowered than when you arrived.

Because confidence doesn't happen by accident. It's built through knowledge, practice, and sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone.

And ladies, we're pretty darn proud of you. Now, go do your dry fire practice. 🙂

Want to Join Our Next Women Only Weekend?

We offer women-only firearm safety and self-defense training twice a year in Morton, MN, with sessions in the spring and fall. You don't need any prior firearms experience, and you can choose one course or participate in the entire weekend.

If you've been thinking about learning more about firearms but haven't quite worked up the nerve, consider this your invitation.

Come as you are. We'll meet you where you're at.

Learn more about our Women Only Courses at River Valley Arms & Ammo and keep an eye on our training calendar for upcoming dates.