SAN ANTONIO -- Whether it's to face their fear of guns or wanting to learn how to use them for protection, more and more San Antonio women are signing up for basic handgun classes.

Gun stores like Dury's Gun Shop, at 819 Hot Wells Blvd., are taking advantage of this growing trend by providing hands-on classes.

While some women use their Saturday mornings for yoga or scrapbook classes, more than a dozen ladies packed a small room set aside at the gun store to learn basic handgun instructions.

"You see where her thumbs are," asked Timothy Wallace, Dury's Gunshop instructor, while showing the proper way to hold a handgun.

The four-hour classes are strictly for women: the only male present is the instructor. There's no intimation allowed and the number one goal, according to Wallace, is to make sure the women are not only comfortable, but feel safe around guns and enjoy the experience.

Class topics range from different types of handguns, to what a primer is, to how to load and shoot and various kinds if ammunition.

Students range from homemakers to business owners to teachers.

"I've never held a gun except for a water gun," said Rosemary Lamm.

She said she signed up for the classes to conquer her fear of handguns and because she lives in an isolated location and wants a gun for protection.

"Just (looking) at them, I'm afraid of them," said Lamm. She said she is determined to learn as much as she can about handguns in order to buy one.

Gloria Almaguer had her own reason for signing up for the basic handgun class: she said she was once confronted by an intruder at her home.

"It was the most scariest thing I had to do at the time," said Almaguer.

Her husband left his handgun at home for protection and she managed to pull the weapon out and fired at the intruder.

"It was a lucky shot," she said about hitting the intruder, who then ran off but was later caught by police. She said that incident was an eye-opener for her and now she wants to know as much as possible about firearms.

"The purchase of firearms from ladies, especially handguns, have gone drastically through the roof," said Wallace.

He came up with the idea of teaching the handgun classes to women.

"It’s mainly for defensive use, but many of the ladies, once they get comfortable around guns and fire off a few rounds, find they also enjoy them," said Wallace.

The last hour of the class allows women to actually load and fire a handgun during target practice.

"I'm shaking because I'm scared," said Lamm, who was holding a handgun for the first time.

But after her first initial fire, she was smiling and pulling the trigger easily. She proudly showed everyone that she managed to hit the target right in the middle several times.

All of the women took turns loading and firing, and while many of them never fired a gun, all left the class empowered and gun-smart.

"They leave here excited about it and actually want to know more," said Wallace.

"It was great, now I feel better," said Lamm.

For others, it was on to the next level.

"I want one of those automatics and I'm now going to take the concealed handgun class," said Almaguer.

The classes at Dury's Gunshop are held on Saturday morning and cost $25.