Gaining Firearm Familiarity

I grew up on a farm and was always around guns.  My brothers and I did a lot of target shooting for fun as well as spending considerable time patrolling fence lines for pest control.  There is a certain comfort level that exists with firearms.

The same is not true for Courtney.  This does not mean she is an anti-gunner, but rather that she does not possess that basic level of knowledge and experience of proper firearms handling and proficiency. She wants to learn, though.

So, where do we start?  I do not recommend trial by fire, putting her out on a firing line and saying “point and squeeze!”  Courtney and I started long ago, slowly, on the living room couch, reviewing an unloaded weapon.  First start with identification of parts and functions.  I went over a rifle, shotgun and handgun, showing how to work each type of action and also correct identification of which cartridges go with which firearm. I store my pump action shotgun with a full magazine but an empty chamber.  Knowing how to quickly hit the slide release will turn that item from an expensive club into a firearm.

Repetition is key to learning.  Once the basics are learned, you can begin handling and operating.  Depending on they type of firearm, dry firing or the use of snap caps can be employed here.  Determining whether a gun is loaded, loading the gun, aiming, firing and reloading can all be practiced first in the living room before heading out to the range.

Once at the range everything should be natural and safe.  Having a basic familiarity first will help alleviate any uncertainty or apprehension.  I would also recommend that your trigger happy shooting buddies stay home for the first range visit with your wife.  You don’t need an audience.

Thanks, Robert.

Firearm Safety

There is nothing new here, but I’m putting in writing the rules that we live by when it comes to the firearms that we keep for sport and family protection. These first four primary rules were first created by the Colonel Jeff Cooper.  More detailed explanation of each one can be found at this helpful link on wikipedia.

1. A gun is always loaded.

2.Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you sights are on the target.

4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

Another good rule, that is obvious but worth stating anyways is from a college friend of mine: One in the cabinet and one in the hand.  This has to do with mixing alcoholic beverages and shooting.  Never mix the two.  And never handle your weapons after consuming alcoholic beverages.

I can’t remember where I heard this, but a statement I like to make to friends about muzzle control when target shooting is very effective and always makes people think:  When I am faced with a situation where the muzzle of a weapon is pointed at me, how do I know the intention of the shooter?  Is it a mistake, or does that person aim to harm?  Prudence would suggest that I act in self defense to eliminate the potential threat.

Yes, that above paragraph is provocative.  It is fully intended to be so.

Thanks, Robert.