Hello Folks,
As mentioned earlier in the thread, I reached out to Maj Toure of Black Guns Matter to see about setting up a range trip for him and the author of the article in the original post.
I have received a simple but understandable response from Ms. Miles.
"Thank you for the offer, but I wouldn't trust myself with a weapon."
I've heard this many times when introducing new shooters to firearms.
After discussing how fun it is, what to expect at the range, some historical context, and the following items...
The 4 rules with some real-world examples to drive the points home:
- All guns are always loaded
- Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, always
- Finger off the trigger until ready to fire
- Know your target and what is beyond it
Sight picture:
View attachment 7041600
Weapon operation (CZ-75 P-01, clear chamber, slide down, hammer down, magazine out):
- Insert magazine
- Pull slide all the way to the rear
- Release slide, do not ride it forward
- The firearm is now ready to fire.
- Press the de-cocking lever to make safe(r)
Dry run:
- With no rounds in the magazine, go through the firearm operation steps
- Dry fire in single and double action a few times, and get acquainted with the de-cocker
Firing:
- Firmly grip the handgun and slowly and steadily depress the trigger while maintaining sight picture
Potential issues:
- Hot brass in cleavage. It happens. Assume it will happen. It's not a big deal. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, remove finger from trigger and either ignore it and keep shooting, or set the firearm down before trying to get it out.
- Broken nail. This occasionally happens. Keep muzzle in a safe direction, remove finger from trigger, set the firearm down.
- Weapon malfunction. Muzzle in safe direction, finger off trigger, set the firearm down. I'll inspect and clear the malfunction unless you want to.
- Target hanger got shot. It's cool, I'll cover that. Relax. Maintain sight picture =)
We finally get to the first shot fired by someone who has never handled a firearm before:
BOOM! EEK! HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Happens every time, then a few hundred rounds later they're disappointed that the range trip is over and wondering when the next one is, can they bring their boyfriends/brothers/mothers/whatever (if they didn't this trip).
I would love nothing more than for Ms. Miles to have an experience like that and I would be happy to help cover the expenses as I do for anyone else, and for her to have an opportunity to interact with garden variety gun owners. While I think it would be fantastic if she wrote another article describing the experience and how she came to the realization that shooting is perhaps her most favorite new hobby which she would actively advocate for on local, state, and federal levels, all I expect from this is that she learn a few things about firearms, feel a little more empowered, capable, and confident, and be happy that she took a chance on herself and realized it was no big deal.
Toward that end, I'm thinking about inviting her to this thread. I think if I did, and when she got here, she saw the initial discussion (good and bad), and saw a big invite and welcome from some shooting enthusiasts along with stories similar to the one I posted above, that maybe that would be enough to convince her to take us up on the offer.
Thoughts?