By: Teresa Mull

Females from all 50 states descended on the Washington, D.C. swamp this week to promote the Second Amendment as a women’s rights issue.

The Federalist reports:

The initiative, known as The DC Project, is a nonpartisan, grassroots movement that organizes women to share with lawmakers why they choose to own and carry firearms. Ages ranged from 11 to 76, and included students, moms, competitive shooters, and victims of assault.

After several days packed with meetings, the week culminated with a rally on the West Capitol Lawn on Friday where speakers shared testimonies and discussed the rising demographic of female gun ownership.

The DC Project’s mission, according to the organization’s website, is:

To educate and encourage women about firearm usage, safety, and promote women’s shooting interest and participation in the competitive shooting sports.

Shayna Lopez-Rivas, a college campus rape survivor turned Second Amendment activist, was one of the speaker’s at the event. GPM caught up with Rivas earlier this year. You can read about Rivas’ journey from anti-gun liberal to empowered concealed carry female here.

Teresa Mull is editor of Gunpowder Magazine. Contact her at [email protected].