Monday, July 18, 2011

A beauty salon in Augusta is specializing in primping AND personal protection for women.

It's a place where bullets meet beauty.
It's a place where tough comes in the color pink.

"I do carry a pink gun and it's because I want the bad guy to know he was shot by a girl," said Dream Weavers owner Tracey Eberhart.

Because who says an expert markswoman can't have the perfect hairdo? At Dream Weavers you have it all.

"It's not your normal, but it's fabulous," said Rachel Cokeley, whose stylist is also her gun saleswoman. "Take this Christmas for instance, I actually purchased my husband's gun while I was getting my hair done," said Cokeley.

But customers and owners say it's about more than just convenience.

"If you do have questions about the guns, you're going to feel comfortable asking another female about the guns. And not only that but they specialize in women," said Cokeley.

And that's exactly why the owners put the gun shop in the back of their salon nearly two years ago.

"We want women to come in and be able to get a woman's perspective and get advice from another woman," said Eberhart.

"How many women would actually go into a gun store, let alone talk to a man that could intimidate them?" said Cokeley.

Especially since owners say they see victims of harassment, rape, and other violent crime. So at Dream Weavers, customers can learn about how to conceal and carry without stepping out of their comfort zone.

"We will guide them and do whatever we need to, to help them protect themselves," said Eberhart.

And it's not just guns offered at the business. It also offers mace, pocket knives, and stun guns. Owners say they're hoping the business is helping what was once considered a man's world become a little more pink.

"We have pink guns. We have a lot of pink guns... for women or for men!" said Eberhart.

"It's got that feminine touch to it so if I have to use it they're gonna see pink. And they're gonna know hey, a girl gotcha," said Cokeley.