Today I did it!

[mommytanya3]

My cousin has a license to carry, so he took me to a outdoor range. I was supposed to be trained by his buddy who trains the military, but somehow he got lost. Then a couple of his other friends showed up, and the one is also in the military. So there were two military men showing me how to shoot, but they didn't know how to tear my gun apart to put oil....and i asked another man that was shooting....(all of his guns were military issued.....) and he broke it down twice then showed me exactly what to do. I shot about 30 rounds, and learned range etiquette .....and then when it was said and done, my cousin put up one target just for me to work on my aim. It was a bullseye type of target and from about 10 meters away every bullet hit the paper, and only one of them was out of the circle, and two of them were in the 10.......the man that was nice enough to show me how to break it down, said i did good, and told me that if i needed to kill someone i was definitely skilled enough.....so i honestly feel like i accomplished something today. I didn't think i would hit the target that much, and i know that i was relatively close, but in my house, it was the perfect distance. I had a surge of anxiety before we got to the range, but after i shot the first bullet, i was good. I felt secure in my decision. I also felt like if there was ever a way to protect myself, and my children .....that was it.

I LOVE MY GUN! I tried my cousins, and it was way too big for me at my little skill level.....he said when i get more used to the kick back it won't be so bad......the other men that were shooting also let me hold their handguns to feel more difference than the ones at the store, and i strongly feel like it is MY perfect starter gun.....

Thank you everyone for your support and helping me feel secure enough to make such a huge decision. I am not done, and will be going to the range, not this weekend but the following weekend. And I can't wait!

~Tanya

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[21bubba]

Sounds like you have contracted the "sickness that has no cure" Welcome.

[OldVet]

See? Guns aren't so scary, are they?
It's the people with the guns that can be scary.

[rhinokrk]

Excellent, sounds like a good day! Great fist steps. I must have missed the thread on which gun you ended up with, so what did you get?

[mommytanya3]

Excellent, sounds like a good day! Great fist steps. I must have missed the thread on which gun you ended up with, so what did you get?

.380 Llama

[Bark'n]

Well, well, well...

Can we hear a touch of excitement in your words?

It sounds like you had a great time and I'm guessing you shattered a few preconceived myths you may have held regarding guns.

Sounds like an excellent day today!

It also sounds like you are very happy with your decision on picking out your gun! I think it's safe to say "You've Done A Good Job!"

And to think you have all summer ahead of you to get familiar and practice with your new gun.

I'm glad it was such a positive experience. It was a big step for sure, but you seem to have taken to it like a duck to water!

Thanks for posting your experience today.

[DZcarry]

Fabulous! Welcome to the Armed Ladies Club! ;)

[Rugergirl]

A great first step. You shot well and gained confidence in yourself and the gun.
But remember it's only a first step. Practice as much as you can to build muscle memory. If you ever can face to face with someone who would do harm what happened at the range will be long forgotten until your muscles are trained to remember what your mind probably won't.

[Ram Rod]

Awesome! I can tell by your post you're excited about all of it. Stay that way. Be proud of yourself, and shoot whenever you can. You owe a lot to yourself....I know this. Make range time part of your life, and it sounds like you'll be complete. There's nothing like it. Be safe!

[rhinokrk]

.380 Llama

May it serve you well, and never be called into action.

[Hiram25]

Congrats! Practice, Practice, Practice. Then get some Gunzilla to clean it with.

[1911PKR]

Congrats!!! A picture of your .380 Llama and the restraining order placed on your ex is in order here.

[BugDude]

I smell addiction...but don't worry, this isn't a bad one. Congrats!!!! Keep practicing.

[retsupt99]

Congrats on your range experience.
By the way, what kind of gun do you have?

[Sarge45]

Welcome to the club. It is a great sport and barrels of fun !