A photographer documents heat-packing women and the guns they love

Shelley Calton

The female owner of a sex shop is seen with a single-shot .22 clipped on her tank top and a revolver on her hip.

In 2016, Texas became the 45th state to allow the open carry of handguns. But many gun-toting women prefer to keep their weapons concealed for reasons including safety and comfort.

More than 268,000 women hold active handgun licenses in the Lone Star State, up 35% from 2014. Their rising numbers have led to a booming shadow industry: firearm accessories, including bra holsters, concealment leggings, and leopard print gun holders for cars.

In an effort to document women's roles in modern gun culture, photographer Shelley Calton took portraits of her Texas friends for her book, "Concealed, She's Got a Gun." She kindly shared a few photos with us.