Pamela Brown, a college professor from Westchester, is part of a growing trend.

More women and minorities are embracing gun ownership for personal safety.

According to Pew Research, 22% of women now own a gun, up from 18% in 2017.

Among Black adults, ownership has nearly doubled, and it's also on the rise for Hispanic adults.

It's a shift happening locally, according to a survey of gun clubs and ranges in Westchester and Orange counties, reflecting changing attitudes about self-defense and personal empowerment in Westchester and beyond.