Gander Mountain Academy is widely known as a great place for men and women to train and perfect their firearms safety and self-defense skills. On Thursday Oct. 25, the nation's half-dozen Gander Mountain Academy locations will have a special focus on females interested in personal protection and fun.

Gander Mountain Academy locations in Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Texas and Wisconsin are hosting an evening-long Ladies Expo. The highlight of the event will be a free two-hour seminar on handgun & pepper spray self-defense, taught by professional instructors with years of law enforcement, military and personal protection training.

"One of our core missions at our six Gander Mountain Academy locations is to create an environment where everyone feels safe, comfortable and welcome, and is able to learn in a friendly atmosphere," said Chris Juelich, national director of Gander Mountain Academy. "While countless women frequent our academies and attend our classes, the Ladies Expo is a unique opportunity to visit, to learn and to get some great deals."

In addition to the free firearm & pepper spray seminar, Ladies Expo features some limited-time discounts:

• Special promo pricing on select academy services
• 30% off all handbags
• 30% off Browning, Buck Wear, Smith & Wesson and Bucked Up women's apparel
• 25% off Serius & Manzella cold weather accessories
• 20% off all women's Carhartt apparel
• 20% off all women's fieldwear & tactical clothing
• $20 off women's footwear purchases of $100 or more

The Ladies Expo will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, at the Gander Mountain Academy locations in Lake Mary, Florida; Wichita, Kansas; Lakeville, Minnesota; Spring, Texas; DeForest, Wisconsin and La Crosse, Wisconsin. For more information and event details, call your nearest Gander Mountain Academy or visit the website at www.GanderMountain.com/academy or find Gander Mtn. Academy on Facebook.