Hollywood and gun ownership don’t usually go in the same sentence – at least not off-camera. But beyond prop rooms and stunt coordinators, a handful of famous women actually enjoy the shooting sports, grew up around firearms, or keep one for personal protection. Some are unapologetically pro–Second Amendment; others blend their enthusiasm for range time with calls for tighter laws. In other words, it’s more complicated than the stereotypes. Here are 10 notable women you may not have realized have real-life connections to guns.
1) Dolly Parton
America’s rhinestone queen grew up in rural Tennessee, where self-reliance isn’t a slogan so much as a way of life. She’s talked about learning gun safety and marksmanship at home, treating the responsibility with the same seriousness she brings to her music and philanthropy. The bigger takeaway with Dolly is empowerment: whether you live in Sevier County or Midtown Manhattan, knowing how to protect yourself is part of her old-school, take-care-of-your-own ethos.
2) Demi Moore
From G.I. Jane to A Few Good Men, Moore’s action bona fides are legit—but the interest isn’t confined to film sets. She’s been filmed enjoying supervised range sessions, including carbine work and pistol time, and has reportedly favored practical, dependable choices (think duty-grade polymer pistols) over finicky collector pieces. It fits: Demi’s public persona blends discipline and athleticism, and her approach to firearms is the same – safe, capable, and no-nonsense.
3) Jeri Ryan
Best known as Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager, Ryan has a soft spot for actual trigger time – not phasers. She’s expressed an appreciation for the mechanics, focus, and skill that live-fire training demands. At the same time, she’s also voiced support for tighter gun regulations. You may disagree with her policy take, but it’s a useful reminder that plenty of gun owners hold nuanced views: enjoying a day at the range and favoring certain restrictions aren’t mutually exclusive in her book.
4) Miranda Lambert
Country music’s powerhouse doesn’t just sing about grit – she lives it. Lambert has openly talked about her concealed-carry permit and frames self-defense as a form of individual responsibility, particularly for women who spend long stretches on the road. If you listen closely, that theme runs through her songwriting too: resilience, boundaries, and being ready for life’s unscripted moments. Love her music or not, you can’t miss the consistency of her message.
5) Jennifer Lawrence
Early in her career, Lawrence acknowledged carrying for personal protection – understandable for a world-famous performer. In more recent interviews, she’s also advocated for stricter gun laws in response to high-profile tragedies. Some fans see that as a shift; others view it as exactly what many Americans feel: a desire to balance self-defense with safety reforms they believe will help. Agree or disagree, it’s a candid window into how complicated this issue can be, even for gun-owning public figures.
6) Whoopi Goldberg
On late-night TV, Goldberg once said it plainly: “I’m a gun owner.” She’s also argued that certain rifles, like the AR-15, should be off the civilian market. That tension frustrates some in the firearms community, but again, it’s not uncommon. Plenty of owners support the right to keep and bear arms while endorsing limits on particular features or capacities. You can contest the policy, but the ownership itself isn’t in doubt.
7) Laura Prepon
The That ’70s Show and Orange Is the New Black alum is known to geek out over sci-fi and action cinema – and she brings that same energy to the range. Prepon reportedly gravitates toward AR-pattern rifles and enjoys the technical side of shooting (caliber choice, setups, drills). It tracks with her screen persona: grounded, methodical, and stronger than you expect at first glance. She’s a reminder that plenty of women who love genre film also love the practical skills behind the make-believe.
8) Hilary Duff
From Lizzie McGuire to TV dramas and mom life, Duff has had multiple reinventions – and somewhere along the way, target shooting stuck. She’s been spotted at ranges and is often linked with a straightforward, reliable 9mm sidearm. No tactical cosplay, no drama – just the quiet confidence that comes from practicing a skill and respecting the rules. Honestly, that’s most gun owners: normal people, normal lives, ordinary training.
9) Brandy Ledford
You’ve seen her in Baywatch Hawaii, Modern Family, and cult-favorite sci-fi series. Ledford has described herself as a registered gun owner while also advocating for additional gun-control measures. Whether you agree with her preferred policies, she undermines the lazy “owners vs. reformers” binary. Lots of Americans live in that middle space – valuing both personal ownership and changes they believe are “responsible.” If nothing else, her stance shows how varied the community really is.
10) Eva Longoria
A proud Texan, Longoria has talked about growing up around firearms and hunting – skills that are less about swagger and more about family, food, and tradition in many parts of the state. She’s perfectly comfortable discussing marksmanship in the same breath as makeup and production notes. That blend of sophistication and outdoorsy roots is more common in Hollywood than people think; it just doesn’t get the same headlines as red-carpet politics.
It’s Not One Story, It’s Ten
What ties these women together isn’t a single political line – it’s the reality that gun ownership in America is diverse, sometimes surprising, and often personal. Some are all-in on the Second Amendment. Others support tighter laws, even as they shoot, hunt, or carry. A few learned as kids; others discovered the discipline and fun as adults.
My view? We should welcome that complexity. Normalize safe training. Keep the conversation civil. And remember that the most accurate “portrait” of gun ownership is a collage—made up of Dolly’s Tennessee roots, Demi’s disciplined range days, Laura’s AR tinkering, Miranda’s road-warrior practicality, and everyone else on this list who breaks the stereotype just by telling the truth about their own life.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.
