I’ll start by saying that this isn’t a post about gun control or my thoughts on the issue.
This is about my ongoing quest to try new things, things that scare me and often make me wonder what the hell I’m doing.
And shooting a firearm was definitely on that list.
I did not grow up in a hunting family so going shooting wasn’t something we did.
But then, a member of my brunch club saw a Living Social deal where you spent a day “shootin’ and drinkin’.” Yes, that is actually the name of it. Spend a day shooting guns at a range and then going drinking? Sign me up!
See, we signed up for it months ago and then when the day actually arrived, I was pretty terrified. Me, who is so girly, is going to fire a gun?? Oh and I scare easily, so surely guns being fired in rapid succession should be quiet right?
So, Super Bowl Sunday, me and three friends piled on to a bus, drove to Michigan (yes, turns out IL has the most rigid gun laws in the country) and went to a shooting range for the first part of the days adventures.
Shooting a gun is by far, one of the scariest and most exhilarating things I’ve done. I was shaking when the range officer handed me the 9 caliber gun for the first time and may have been shaking as well when I fired the first shot. But that feeling after was so awesome. Not only because I actually fired, but also because it was such a rush.
And that first shot was right in the bullseye. Fuck yes.
And when that was done, we could also shoot a few rounds of an AK-47. Didn’t Rambo have one of those?
Regardless, that was absolutely terrifying. The NOISE reverberated in your chest and was almost deafening (for good reason). I panicked right before firing and almost backed off, but then, the range officer gave me a nudge.
“Ma’am, you need to face your fears, otherwise, they win.”
And I did fire that first shot, and then went back for 4 more. I faced that fear and it was awesome.
Here are a couple of photos to show how awesome of a job I did. Seriously, I kind of want to frame my target :)
Oh and I’m wearing a scarf in these photos because my neck was exposed and I ran the risk of getting burned from a hot bullet shell flying out of the gun. OMFG….okay.
So I had to watch Beyonce on DVR when I got home, and it was still awesome :)
I DID THAT SAME LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL with the ex! And the kickback from the AK47 actually shot off his ear muffs! You go girl, you did much better than me and the noise was a lot louder than I expected! It was actually a lot of fun, but the winery afterward – I wasn’t so impressed but I guess I couldn’t expect Napa style wine. I’d do it again but it was kind of scary to think that anyone in the group could be the next crazy public killer in training.
Good for you, lady! What a fun way to face your fears… and you did awesome, especially considering!
I shot a real gun for the first time this past summer on a photo assignment. It was absolutely NUTS. And it’s a fun story to tell, especially since I’m such a damn tree-hugger and peace lover. ;) We got photos because I knew no one would believe I actually did it if there was no evidence. Ha.
Love it! You did great! I went skeet shooting in college and loved it! I’ve never shot a handgun but would like to try. I’ve just started dating someone who is kinda into shooting and he is supposed to be taking me and I’m really excited!!
Ahh! I love the shooting range (and yes, I say this a liberal Democrat). I started shooting several years ago as a way to meet rich men (ammo and guns are expensive). The joke was on me when I found out that I was a pretty decent skeet and trap shooter. Now I enjoy going to the gun range in the fall and spring and doing a few rounds. Glad that you had fun!
Look at you miss rock star. And I’d totally wear a scarf shooting too, ha.
I’m just glad the drinking part wasn’t first!
I did (rifle) shooting on holiday when i was a teenager and it was pretty exhilerating, but don’t think I would try it again now. I guess it was an interesting experience at the time though…
Wasn’t that a great outing?? Living Social knows how to show people a good time. I was really nervous, too, but ended up doing just fine. I couldn’t figure out how to reload my own gun, though!
You did great! Nice grouping :-)
I am so excited for you that you spent your day like this! As my FOID card makes its way to our place I’ve been thinking about how exhilarating yet scary it’ll be to shoot more than a BB gun for the first time. Also, you rocked that scarf and I hope now NOBODY messes with you ms. bullseye!