By

(CBS News)

The face of the American gun owner is changing.

More women than ever are picking up rifles, shotguns, and handguns. And target shooting is one of the fastest-growing female sports.

But, looks can be deceiving. We’re not talking “Dirty Harriet” here, notes “Early Show” contributor Katrina Szish.

Female participation in target shooting in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the last decade, growing to nearly five million women since 2001.

Pistol-shooting mommas and rifle-wielding yoga instructors may not be the type of woman who comes to mind when you hear about female shooters, but they’re dominating the sport.

They say they shoot not only for self-protection, but because it relieves stress, helps them find peace and concentration and – feel feminine.

For instance, Deirdre Gailey, who says, “I’m a yoga instructor, I work at a vegan bakery — and I also like to shoot guns.”