The response to COVID-19 was to shut down the economy and stay-at-home in order to stop the spread of the infection. Suddenly, everything changed. Everyone evaluated just what "personal safety" means. In the month of April 2020, over 60,000 San Diegans went to a federally licensed firearms dealer and purchased a firearm for the first time. During the same time period, almost 2 million people across the U.S. did the same thing. People understood that their safety was important and possibly at risk. the narrative and statistics no longer mattered. The understanding that a firearm equals protection did matter.

For all new gun owners, we offer help, expertise, and resources. We want you to be successful and understand the decision you made to protect yourself and your loved ones. We are here for you.

SDCGO's area of expertise is to provide education, firearms training, and personal assistance in obtaining a California CCW (Permit to carry a firearm) if desired. Our focus is currently on women because women are more commonly the victims, and we are committed to providing resources for education and training to all who are affected by abuse and concerned with her own personal safety.

SDCGO believes the epidemic of sexual assault and domestic violence must be ended. There are many other local resource programs available, and we believe adding firearms protection to women's options is critically important. We invite people from other areas of expertise to be part of our #NotMeSD movement and together we will create empowering initiatives for women to not be victims.

According to a crime report published by the San Diego Associations of Governments:

• In 2018 in San Diego, there were at least 14,472 reports of murder, rape, aggravated assaults, violent crimes, burglaries, and robberies.
• There were 8,247 reports of domestic violence in the first half of 2019.
• In San Diego, on average, 3 women are raped each day.