THE PRETTY PISTOLERA

Hot Date!

Breda blogged about "quality husband and wife time at the range."  We (actually is was just me) had a conversation with our friend Jenna about "range dates" this weekend.

Jenna:  We go to the range sometimes for a date night.

Me:  Really? That is a great idea!

Jenna:  The only problem at the indoor range is that it's so hard to hear.

Me:  I know. I prefer the outdoor range for so many reasons. I remember the first time I went to an indoor range.  I thought I was going to die from smoke inhalation.

John:  Huh?

Me:  They go to the range for a date night, but it's hard to hear each other at the indoor range.

John:  Huh?

Me:  Range. Date. Night.

John:  They don't allow black powder at that range any more.

John was half listening again.  He is great about picking up key words like "range," "ammo," gun," and "shooting."  His ears are like radar detectors for his favorite words.... other "less important" words, not so much.

You Don't Need to Tell Me Twice...

Actually, I need to be told three times. 

• Setting: This morning at the gym.  I was doing my daily cardio, listening to a podcast of Gun Talk.  Tom Gresham was talking to his guest about attracting new shooters to the sport, especially women. 

• Setting: Lunch time at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  John tells me that it's a shame more women are not involved in shooting sports.  He urged me blog about the subject and be a help to guys that want to get their wives/girlfriends to the range.

• Setting: This evening surfing the gun blogosphere.  I see Cowboy Action Shooter Jose at Amigos Cantina said something similar.  "If only more wives were interested in shooting..."

Got it loud and clear. 

Just for the record, I am the most unlikely chick to enjoy shooting (ask my friends). There is not a tom-boy bone in my body. I do not enjoy the outdoors, and pretty much despise any activity that is to be done outside. I did not grow up around guns. I do not have even one family member that shoots. Guns came into my life via my wedding vows... Do you, Tracy, promise to uphold and never speak ill of the Second Amendment? I do.

For years, I looked at John's passion for shooting the same way he looked at my shoe collection. So how did this gun thing happen?  Three factors came together one day - curiosity, empowerment, and pestering.  Let's explore each of them:

• Curiosity - I grew up watching the Mandrell Sisters. I loved to watch Irlene shoot clay pigeons. I had no idea what she was doing at the time, but I thought it was so cool when she yelled "PULL," and then blew the disc to smithereens. Never thought much of it after the show was canceled, but her confidence made an impression on me. After I confessed my Irlene secret to John, he often reminded me "if you come to the range with me you can yell 'pull,' just like Irlene."  See also: pestering.

• Empowerment - We were in Vegas a few years ago with friends and the group wanted to go to The Gun Store.  I succumbed to the peer pressure and shot three different machine guns. At the time I did not enjoy the guns themselves, but the feeling of being in complete control resonated with me. Since I have a strong desire to protect myself, The Gun Store experience empowered me to explore concealed carry and self-defense classes. Dirtbags are everywhere... look up your zip code in the National Sex Offender Registry, it's frightening!

• Pestering - John finally wore me down.  He begged to me "come meet the guys" at one of their  IDPA practices at the indoor range (no bugs, climate controlled).  I agreed to hang out and socialize. That did it!  I saw that I could satisfy my curiosity, have that great feeling of control and empowerment, learn how to protect myself, and (bonus) get him to stop pestering me.

So you asked me what time it was and I built you a clock, sorry. 

Bottom line, if I can plug into this sport and enjoy it, anyone can!  Every girl that's been invited to join their guy at the range has different reasons for not going. Stay tuned and we will talk about the do's and don't's to get your girl to the range (that is, if you want her to join you). It is possible that she will grow to enjoy shooting almost as much as she does shopping.

Stinky-poo!

Of the many attempts John tried to get me to fall in love with shooting, I always had a reason why not.  One of the most memorable was my very first trip to an indoor range.

We get there, sign in, pay the man, get our eyes and ears on, maneuver to our nifty bay, put up the target, unload the range bag.... the lesson started and John was excited.  He was convinced this was the time I would love his sport. 

Not so much...  I nearly died a horrible death from smoke inhalation. 

Black powder shooters:  go to an outdoor range, pretty please. 

Here we go...

Happy new blog to me.  Here's the scoop... 

My husband has been on me for a long time (read: years) to start shooting.  He has insisted that I just learn the basic rules of gun safety and how to use one "just in case."   Sounds reasonable, but I kept putting off his request.  I would make a trip here and there with him to a range or an event, but I always turned my nose up for some reason or another.  These many, many reasons will be documented under the flashback category. 

Finally, last summer he got me to go to an outdoor range.  The place was so nice!  Clean facilities, pretty scenery, polite people, clean, clean, clean (even the little girl's room).  I was shocked.  He spent some time with me (along with two of his friends) learning the basics.  Who knew? I was actually pretty good!