Get to know Melissa!
Melissa Rankin is the owner of She’s A Pistol, which she started in August 2016. She’s A Pistol is built on Melissa’s mission to educate, strengthen, and empower women through safe, effective, and confidence-building small group firearm instruction in a supportive and fun environment. The business has steadily grown mainly through word of mouth and the constant support and flattering recommendations of the clients she serves, whom she affectionately refers to as “pistols.”
In response to increased interest and demand for classes, Melissa brought her younger sister, Katy Sparks, on board in January 2021. Katy and Melissa make the perfect “wonder twins” duo when it comes to teaching women about the importance of safety.
Melissa is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School’s class of 1991 and Katy a graduate of the the class of 1993. Melissa studied Criminology and Spanish and graduated from Auburn University in 1995. Melissa began her law enforcement career immediately following college. She was in the 2012 class of Mobile Bay Monthly’s 40 Under 40 and served as the President of her 2015 Mobile United’s Leadership Mobile class.
She is the recipient of the 2011 Award for Outstanding Leadership by the American Cancer Society. She is married to Clay Rankin, IV and the mother of two beautiful children.