WAUKESHA - Women and guns: Sarah Palin made it popular during the campaign, but it's a growing trend in self defense.

In many cases, this is about women taking control and not wanting to be the victim. They're ready to learn and ready to use a gun if they have to.

Nikki Dzieminski loves to shoot, as a hobby. On the range, Nikki is pretty tough.

"I was like 'wow this is really empowering, this feels good,'" Nikki said.

A few years ago she bought a boyfriend shooting lessons for his birthday.

"He never came back and I just kept going," Nikki said.

Then Nikki bought her own gun. She keeps it under her bed, just in case.

"I know that if somebody walked in I could take care of myself or anybody else in the house at the time," Nikki said.

Girls and guns: it's a new trend at Fletcher Arm's in Waukesha. Terry Haber has handled the store's sales for years.

"There are more women coming in because they're afraid of the increase in violence to women. Mugging and that type of thing, and they're looking for something to protect themselves with," Haber said.

Just buying a gun doesn't do you much good if you don't know how to use it and you're not comfortable shooting. Especially when it comes to self protection.

With almost no shooting experience, TODAY'S TMJ4's Courtny Gerrish signed up for a lesson at Fletcher's with instructor Bob Llanas.

First step: safety.. and how to hold a gun. In teaching the basics, Bob removes the fear many women have about firearms. He replaces it with knowledge.

"This is the same as a golf club. It does the same thing, it sends a projectile to a target," Bob said.

After a few hours in the classroom, they headed to the range. With the right instruction, anyone can be a good shot, but when it comes to using a gun for protection, that's a different mindset.

Daniele Haber found that out when she opened her own business.

"This is a cash business. People give us money, and I have to take it to the bank," Daniele said.

So her gun is always with her. Even though Daniele's an expert shot, coming to terms with using a gun for protection, if she has to, wasn't an overnight decision.

"It's not a decision you make without thinking about it a lot," Daniele said.

Nikki's first approach to self defense? She hangs her targets in the garage, saying, "If somebody came over and was thinking about breaking in they would probably think twice."

Two women, both skilled shooters and both determined never to be a victim.

A typical class lasts a few hours and costs about $70. Many women come in for self defense and then end up liking it. A lot of them actually join a league or pick up shooting as a hobby.