Terra Semaia and I were Facebook friends long before we met in real life. She was a friend of a friend in the 2A space in Massachusetts. So, of course, we got along well. The first time we met in person was at SHOT Show 2025 while I was doing shows at the Otis Technology booth. We’ve run into each other at 2A events in the Commonwealth and even when we both testified at the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston on Halloween in 2025.
She grew up in Utica, upstate New York. Her grandfather was an avid hunter who passed his love of hunting down to his son, her father. Her father was a New York State police officer who wasn’t able to obtain a carry permit while off duty. So she grew up around shooting and firearms. Her father did take her hunting, but she’s never pulled the trigger. The first gun she shot was her dad’s GLOCK 22 in .40 cal.
Like many folks, life happens, and they move away from shooting but eventually get back into it. She moved from New York state to Massachusetts around 2016. Once she figured out the process to get a license to carry, she took a course, applied, got the license, and started training. She got into it very much and worked to become an instructor. After she started instructing, she reached out to the range where she took her licensing course and offered women’s courses. It’s good when women instruct women. They do ask different questions when they aren’t with men.
Once she saw all the anti-gun nonsense in Mass, she spent more time calling and writing legislators. Doing it alone is much harder than with others. So she reached out to some of the local and national groups. At SHOT Show 2025, she was on a mission to meet Stephen Willeford (RSWC #088). They started talking about training and advocacy, and he introduced her to the Empowered 2A team with Gun Owners of America (GOA). The Empowered 2A team found out she was in Massachusetts, and they needed someone in the state. So she became the GOA representative.
She’s done several range days with GOA all around the country. During the conversation, she hints that they were scoping out a place to do one in New England. Since we filmed, they decided that June 5 & 6, 2026, at the SIG Academy in Epping, NH. She and Suk Finnell have taken over the Empowered2A brand and are moving it forward through many events across the country.
The days before SHOT Show 2026, she helped with their Project Gunway, a high-fashion concealed carry show. This is the first year they have held this. The project showcases female-focused brands taking over the firearms industry. By all accounts, it was a success, and I’m sure they’ll do it again next year.
Terra has been hard at work, connecting with a wide range of instructors, influencers, and groups to help make things happen. Her focus is on helping and training women. She’s doing all this while holding down a “regular job” which isn’t in the 2A space. Getting around the country to these events, even with a job that understands and lets you work remotely, still takes time and energy. Terra is doing it flawlessly.
Favorite quotes:
- “Even my father, as law enforcement, didn’t have an unrestricted permit.”
- ”We’re suffering the repercussions from Bruen….but then we have states like Massachusetts that are just making it so impossible.”
- “When I started going to the range, I realized I calm down.”
- “We focus on advocacy, leadership, and education.”
- “Getting women to understand their best means of self-defense is themselves.”
About Riding Shotgun With Charlie
Riding Shotgun With Charlie isn’t about firearms. It is about having an intimate conversation with 2 people talking. You’re the fly on the rearview mirror. Many of the passengers are involved in the firearm community.
This is a more intimate conversation than a phone, radio, or Skype interview. You get to see the passengers. And you’ll see where the road and the conversation take you!
www.ridingshotgunwithcharlie.com.
