I talked about introducing a new shooter to the sport here. Let's call her B. B's husband works with Lu and he wants an AR in the worst way. As I said in that post I introduced B to shooting with 22s and most especially a 10-22. She had a ball and was talking about buying one even as they were driving away from the range.
Guess what? Yep, we now have a brand new gun owner, someone who has never owned a gun before in her life. She still has that great new shooter smell and everything (someone should bottle that, you'd get rich). Just a couple of days ago she purchased a 10-22 of her very own and is just as happy as can be. They went shooting at lunchtime the day after they bought it and she was trying desperately to get him to call in sick for the rest of the afternoon because she was having so much fun she didn't want to stop. He bought her pink hearing protection and she's now complaining about magazine capacity; she wants either larger mags or more of 'em and preferably both. That's just so full of win right there.
But wait, there's more. She called me and asked questions about an AR her hubby has been eyeballing. Is it quality, is it fairly priced, ammunition requirements, what do I need to know, etc. She's planning on buying it for him for Christmas. I was giggling over the phone and I still can't get the smile plastered on my face to go away. She may now suspect I am a crazy man.
Listen, this is one of the funnest and most rewarding things I've ever done. I was a police trainer for years and introduced my daughter (and soon my grandchildren) to shooting. I've bought and taught for Lu but this is the first time I've ever introduced a complete stranger to the gun world and I'm loving it. I now have a much better appreciation for all of you who do this regularly. And if you haven't I highly recommend the practice. Invite a non-shooter to the range, introduce them gently and with as much fun factor as possible and watch what happens. It's magical.
I may have to look into doing some civilian training. If it's as much fun as this has been I'm all in. Hey, I've got my NRA and FBI firearms instructor certificates. Anyone in Utah looking for some help? I'm fired up!
Six
9 comments:
LOL, yep the new shooter IS a pearl beyond price! :-) I'm sure there are folks who could use some help out there!
I'm gonna go looking NFO. Watching her go from 'guns are icky" to "which AR goes with my outfit" has been addictive. I need another fix.
How much do I love this!
Trying to follow in some illustrious footsteps. Including yours!
I love the "big smile" that usually accompanies the new shooter! Well done Six! It IS very rewarding.
Thanks! I was thinking about you when she started smiling while she was shooting. I was thinking "Man, this is how Kelly must feel every time he does a new shooter class." I had no idea just how rewarding it was going to be. I need to do that again.
Oh, I do mostly. I have had some meltdowns though. They were usually because someone dragged a significant other into the class. If someone pulls the trigger and starts to cry, shake, freak out, that always goes uh, somewhat different.
Get the Basic Pistol class DVD from the NRA. Great video that you can pick and choose what you want to show. Ammo, malfs, loading, etc. It helps!
I do that Kelly. Thanks for the info.
Thanks Blue.
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