Posted on 07/03/2011 11:37:30 AM PDT by marktwain
TORONTO - Until a few weeks ago, the only things I knew about guns were from police reports and violent movies.
I had never picked one up, been near one or heard the echoes of shotgun blasts. And quite frankly, I was pretty afraid of them.
I know the Chinese invented gunpowder, but firearms have never been standard in my family.
In fact, guns have been the source of several heated arguments between my boyfriend Dave, who often heads home to Kincardine to shoot guns with his friend. They don’t go hunting, but rather shoot targets — puddles, broken TVs, frozen hams — often with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. It’s just what you did if you grew up in the country.
But when I think of guns, all I see is a killing tool — something that (aside from the hunting industry) shouldn’t really be necessary. Maybe that’s naive.
When Dave thinks of guns, all he sees is math and physics. The idea of a bullet going over 300 metres per second.
So, when he’d go out shooting, I’d nod and smile but I didn’t really want to know much more of it. I was stubborn and felt I was right.
A good friend of mine, Jess, admitted she went to Sharon Gun Club and told me about the women-only course. She convinced me it was a good idea to try it and to keep an open mind. She said because she was around other women, it made her feel that much more comfortable.
When we arrived at the clubhouse and could hear the gunshots, I became very nervous.
I remember when it was my turn to shoot the first gun — a .22-calibre semi-automatic pistol. My hands perspired as I approached the table.
Our instructor demonstrated how to gingerly pick up the pistol and how to fold my hands around the grip properly so that my thumb wouldn’t get busted when the slide moved back.
He told me to breathe and relax, keep legs apart in a strong stance. Look down the sight and make sure it’s lined up with the target. And when you’re ready, put the finger on the trigger and slowly squeeze.
Bang!
The first thing I thought was, “Wow, that was so easy” and then, “That was pretty cool.”
We rotated through the seven different guns. I found the scope hard to deal with, even though the “red dot” was supposed to make it easier on us.
I still couldn’t get over how loud the blasts were. But it didn’t matter because I was having a blast as we progressed onwards. I was pleased and surprised my groupings were close together.
I didn’t feel powerful despite holding a powerful weapon. I know its force and respected what it was.
My favourite handgun was the centre-fire semi-automatic pistol because it was amazingly light to pick up, easy to handle, but had a strong and unexpected kick-back when it fired.
I was also a fan of the pump action shotgun because when fired quickly three times, makes you feel like you could hold your own during the Zombie Apocalypse.
I left Sharon Gun Club that day feeling much more open-minded and understanding of target shooting.
I came home with my cardboard target under my arm and Dave greeted me. He took one look at it and said, “You’re deadly.”
And after listening to me excitedly chatter about the guns we shot and the reactions, he sort of leans back and puts his feet up.
“Well, I don’t want to say ... I told you so, but ... I told you so.”
Yes, boyfriends can be right sometimes.
Thanks for the ping, fanfan.
The ladies squad up in groups of 10 with a couple of club escorts who shephard each group through the day. They go through a safety briefing, then rotate through the different shooting discipline areas where experienced reps explain the discipline, the firearms used, and then a entry-level shooting stage.
In years past, both the NRA and Glock USA have been very supportive, including helping out with the cost of ammunition.
The NRA also has a program -- IIRC they call it the Appleseed Program, and previously they have had a program called Women on Target. Both are oriented to encouraging and preserving our shooting heritage.
You’re welcome Clive.
Cool...I knew that there was some going on. We just have to keep reaching out. There’s no reason for any AMERICAN to have not shot a gun (other than physical or mental impairment). Now, after they shoot, if they still hate guns, that’s fine - at least they gave it a fair shake.
Guess I have been lucky Wife wise when it comes to firearms, Married over 50 years and she is still a bigger gun nut than I am. She was when we got hitched and a look at the his and hers in the gun safes makes it undebatable she has more of them than I do.Your real names wouldn't happen to be Burt and Heather would they?
70 years old and she still reloads her own ammo and when we go out in the desert on ATV’s, she can spot where others have been shooting and is a brass scrounger extraordinaire.
Well, it is the same at this house Sea Parrot. I OWN all the guns in this house. My husband is Canadian, believed similar to the woman in the original post in this thread.
I cried after the election, I shook in absolute fear from what our fellow countrymen and women had just done. I couldnt stand it anymore.
I took it into my own natural born American hands, and with the help of my sister, did what no one would of ever expected me to do. Even my husband.
Now he has shot them, especially the 12 gauge, but I prefer the semi automatic. The bruises on my shoulder from the 12 just were so unfeminine to me. :) But I do love the buckshot!
We shoot them when we go upnorth in northern Michigan, I have loads of practice rounds..and then the really good ammo that I save for anyone who has the balls to come into this house. Now those are impressive..
Seriously, I am a happy woman. And it all started in a gun range.
Mrs. Prince of Space
Feminism is all about being a victim. Being an armed woman is about NOT being a victim. The Second Amendment. Best rape prevention in the world.
Reminds me of a scene from the “West Wing”, where Secret Service agent Mark Harmon gives Press Secretary Alison Janey her first firearms instruction. Funny scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJx3JeAzAH0
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.