Candy Sugarman is an NRA certified pistol instructor and is the founder of the Gun Powder Gals, a women’s only shooting group in North Carolina (Cumberland County/Fort Bragg Army Base). Gun Powder Gals is open to any woman who is looking to learn more and enjoy the shooting sports.

Candy started Gun Powder Gals because she believed that women are often an underserved and forgotten segment of the gun owner population. Additionally, women often do well in an environment where they can feel comfortable bonding with other women. It was equally important to form a group that welcomed newbies and experts as well as women from all walks of life.

Through an innovated training called Girlfriend Gun Party, www.gunpowdergals.com/GirlfriendGunParty/ , Candy provides in-home firearm education to women and their friends in a comfortable and safe environment.  Private shooting and group training is also available.  Candy believes that empowering women to learn and understand how to safely operate firearms is a big part in removing many of the stigmas surrounding gun ownership. 

Candy and her group have been featured in the Fayetteville Observer, Women’s View Magazine, the Fort Bragg Paraglide (twice), CityView Magazine, and Array Magazine.

Gun Powder Gals’ focus is in education, safety, camaraderie, and empowering women to have the courage to protect themselves!