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spin

(17,493 posts)
8. No, it doesn't MAKE you like guns. ...
Sun Nov 11, 2012, 02:57 PM
Nov 2012

However I have taken many people to the range and a high percentage developed an interest in target shooting. Some went on to own a number of firearms and several now have a concealed weapon permits.

The women I introduced to the sport were often somewhat hesitant to try shooting and often had a fear of firearms. Prior to going on the range I would introduce them to the handguns I had brought and I would go over the basics of firearm safety.

The first firearm that I would have them shoot on the range was a .22 caliber target pistol.



This fairly heavy pistol has very little recoil and consequently is a pleasure to shoot. Often when a male introduces a female to shooting he gives her a powerful handgun to try. This obviously is a poor teaching method. I always start a newbie shooter with a .22 caliber handgun regardless of gender. At the end of the first session I let the new shooter try a .38 caliber revolver. Once again this cartridge in a full sized revolver is easy to handle but does have some recoil.

If the shooter showed interest in the shooting sports I would introduce him/her to more powerful handguns in later sessions once he/she had mastered the basics of sight alignment and trigger pull.

I found women far easier to train than men. They don't automatically feel that they inherently know how to shoot and they have not formed misconceptions about shooting from watching far too many action flicks. Most women found shooting "empowering" and would proudly take their targets home to show their friends.

I do not try to encourage a person to buy a firearm. I point out the danger of owning such weapons and the great responsibility involved. However if a person shows interest in the sport I am willing to introduce him to the experience.

Of course some people have formed an inherent dislike of firearms from their experience with those who have misused such weapons in a criminal or careless fashion. I find this understandable. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to change the views of such a person and quite possibly a waste of time.

Participation in the shooting sports can become a rewarding and challenging hobby. If you limit yourself to only a couple of firearms it can be reasonably inexpensive as a well maintained firearm can last a lifetime and shoot thousands and thousands of rounds. Of course, while it is fortunately fairly rare, access to a firearm and the skill to use it may save your life.

Still it should also be pointed out that owning a firearm can lead to tragedy. The decision to have firearms in your home is one that deserves a lot of serious thought.



Learning to shoot makes you like guns? HockeyMom Nov 2012 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Nov 2012 #5
Actually, it did for me. Decoy of Fenris Nov 2012 #6
Try reading the article again. GreenStormCloud Nov 2012 #7
No, it doesn't MAKE you like guns. ... spin Nov 2012 #8
No, but it makes it possible to form an educated opinion 4th law of robotics Nov 2012 #18
can't wait. ?! forgive me but, she sounds overly enthusiastic. Tuesday Afternoon Nov 2012 #2
Say what you will about Controllers, but they got that part right. Decoy of Fenris Nov 2012 #3
amen. Tuesday Afternoon Nov 2012 #4
I had the same reaction to that line - hopefully it was just a bit of journalistic excess petronius Nov 2012 #9
yes. I give her credit. I kept wondering if it would not look so eager if not boldened . . . Tuesday Afternoon Nov 2012 #10
Mary Zeiss Stange, who has written extensively about women hunters, explained... Eleanors38 Nov 2012 #11
Her experience is why gun restriction expansionists don't want firearm safety taught in schools aikoaiko Nov 2012 #12
I suspect that your suspicions are right on the money. Simo 1939_1940 Nov 2012 #13
Easier to maintain irrational fear when coupled with ignorance and unfamiliarity 4th law of robotics Nov 2012 #17
While shaking their hand fightthegoodfightnow Nov 2012 #14
Everyone in this society should learn how to shoot and handle a gun safely. Starboard Tack Nov 2012 #15
Absolutely, Tack! tortoise1956 Nov 2012 #20
Since she's a reporter I assume her weapon is a military style automatic machine gun 4th law of robotics Nov 2012 #16
"more in the media." The phenomenon is not unusual... Eleanors38 Nov 2012 #19
Was that article writen by a 12 year old? chibajoe Nov 2012 #21
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