Reporter who was afraid of guns takes CC class, learns to shoot.
http://mcalesternews.com/local/x1501154737/Learning-to-use-a-gun-is-serious-businessLearning to use a gun is serious business
By Jeanne LeFlore Staff Writer
McALESTER — Exhilarating
That’s the word I would use to describe my first experience a using gun after taking a firearms safety and training class recently.
I have been a gun owner for two years, it was a gift from my husband and to be honest, I was afraid to even touch the gun at first. A fear I over came over time.
But after two years, I knew it was time I learned to carry and to use it. So I took a class.
With the recently enacted Open Carry Law taking affect on Nov. 1, Oklahoma residents a Self Defense Act license can openly carry their firearms in most public places. But before a loaded weapon can be carried, a special license must be obtained.
SNIP (Long description of class)
Overall the class was a great learning experience. I can’t wait to get my license and carry my loaded weapon. And I will never forget that firing a deadly weapon is serious business.
Outstanding. She is a rare creature - a reporter who actually investigates the topic of guns instead of blindly repeating Brady & VPC lies.
I hope she will never need to gun for anything but target practice, but if she does need it - she will have it.
= new reply since forum marked as read
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.
