FAMILY PARTICIPATION???

[Merle]

Greetings,

I wonder if anyone else has faced this situation? My wife has finally agreed (begrudgingly) that learning to shoot a pistol for self defense would be a good idea. So far, no actual trips to the range. I'm wondering if I should consider finding another instructor? Many people seem to do better with an outsider as a driving instructor & I'm wondering if this is the same.

At any rate, my initial plan was to "familiarize" her with the revolver she can shoot best (based on a prior post), then send her to the CCW classes with a better handle on the process.

My daughter & youngest son are also a problem. Since they are adults & out on their own, I'm reluctent to make an issue out of it. They both agree that having a gun is a good idea, but seem to think that just getting one is all that is required - no training or practice required.

Frankly this mindset puzzles me, and leaves me more than a little concerned. Perhaps I'm not doing a good enough job in explaining the need for practice? Or they just don't see any real threat?

Any suggestions?


 

[Oldshooter]

I got a shock today, my wife told me that of all the rifles, shotguns, and handguns that I have here, she could only pick one or two that she knew what ammo it used and where to find it!

It seems I have been remiss in telling her much needed information. She has handled a few of them and shot several as well. I will try to correct this problem in the near future.

Good luck with yours, I'd say make it a family get together and get em shootin!

Sometimes it is better to get someone else to do the training and make shooting a competition later, it may promote more shooting by all!

[williamlayton]

OS
Keep em all loaded--then she can pick any
Course---you gotta know her temperment.
Dangest thing--this conversation--Came in from the Austin Show and the Hen asked me what I got.
Too out the .327 Smith that is aimed at my daughter and showed her.
She flipped the cylinder open looked at it. Closed it up, took aim and pulled the trigger.
Said it is kinda stiff but it should loosen up.
Dang that woman---she keeps me confused.
Here I was hopin I could keep it an now---who knows?
Blessings

[Mikey]

Merle:  either find a way to make familiarizing and shooting a handgun 'fun' for your wife or get someone else to teach her.  Father's and husbands should never try to teach daughters and wives how to shoot or drive; and when you find someone to teach her shooting make dang certain he knows how to teach her how much fun it can be.  I believe that teaching a gal how to shoot should not be made into a life or death threat - for some reason some women do not take that anywhere near as seriously as some men do.  Some gals are loathe to shoot at a target that looks like a human but can become familiar with and confident in the use of a handgun that busts up cookies on the range so the birds can have something to eat or that the last can she shot up will never hold enough water to breed mosquitos.  However, if you use hostage targets with either hapless women or children as targets you might be surprised how accurately the Lady can shoot.

As far as the kids are concerned - you're right, they are adults but they are never too old to be shamed into participating with the old statement - aw gee kids, ya'll know your Mom can outshoot ya..........

Oldshooter - if your wife's familiarity with firearms and ammo is limited to just one or two of your collection then a good idea would be to have just that one or those two where she would automatically go to pick up a gun in a crisis situation.

Williamlayton - Ha!  Best go get yourself another one, 'cause Moma's got this one.....and smooth out that action.....

[rockbilly]

Start ‘em early, start ‘em young.  I eliminated this problem many years ago.  When we were newly weds “shooting” was a frequent past time, mostly .22s and shotgun, but there were pistols when I could afford the ammo.  As the kids came along they joined us, it wasn’t as often as I would have liked, but it was “quality time” and they were introduced to all kinds of guns, taught how to load and shoot as well as maintain them.  Today my son is passing the same knowledge on to his wife and children, one daughter has a husband who shoots but she rarely joins him anymore, the other one will not allow a gun on her property. (Influncended by her husband who is the son of an Idaho hunting guide, gun shop owner and outfitter, you figure it out.)

As for the wife knowing how to load them, she does, but that should never be a problem for her, there are three loaded .357 revolvers, a .357 Sig and a shotgun loaded and readily available should she need top protect herself.  Also, when we travel I always ensure the is a gun in the vehicle for her, it goes in the 5th wheel when we stop for the night.

[GH1]

I'm of the opinion that a husband shouldn't teach his wife how to do anything, as it's too easy to let criticism become personal, whether it's intended that way or not.  Besides, just because you know how to shoot a gun, doesn't mean you can convey the principles to someone else. 
Luck for me my wife learned to shoot in boot camp, long before I knew her. 
GH1

[Oldshooter]

I'm of the opinion that a husband shouldn't teach his wife how to do anything, as it's too easy to let criticism become personal, whether it's intended that way or not.  Besides, just because you know how to shoot a gun, doesn't mean you can convey the principles to someone else. 
Luck for me my wife learned to shoot in boot camp, long before I knew her. 
GH1

Words of wisdom! Thats why i mentioned that in an earlier post, a fellow wouldn't want it to become a bone of contention and the baby get thrown out with the bath water! In other words, if ya want it to be fun let someone else teach and you have the fun!

[Merle]

Merle:  either find a way to make familiarizing and shooting a handgun 'fun' for your wife or get someone else to teach her.  Father's and husbands should never try to teach daughters and wives how to shoot or drive; and when you find someone to teach her shooting make dang certain he knows how to teach her how much fun it can be.  I believe that teaching a gal how to shoot should not be made into a life or death threat - for some reason some women do not take that anywhere near as seriously as some men do.  Some gals are loathe to shoot at a target that looks like a human but can become familiar with and confident in the use of a handgun that busts up cookies on the range so the birds can have something to eat or that the last can she shot up will never hold enough water to breed mosquitos.  However, if you use hostage targets with either hapless women or children as targets you might be surprised how accurately the Lady can shoot.

As far as the kids are concerned - you're right, they are adults but they are never too old to be shamed into participating with the old statement - aw gee kids, ya'll know your Mom can outshoot ya..........

All of them know how to shoot, up to a point. We used to shoot IHMSA silhouette in the past, but that was slow, deliberate fire at fairly distant targets. All of them did well at it, and won a number of matches. They didn't seem to mind my showing them the ropes, and continued to shoot until we moved too far away. They also hunted with me until recently, but now I am on the road a lot & never seem to have enough time at home.

This would be a completely different thing - shooting quickly at close range, etc. I suspect they could do well, but I just can't seem to stir up an interest. I also wondered about a "professional" instructor, but do not know of one that I would trust. Most of them around here seem to be of the "Blackwater - shoot everything that moves" mindset. That's not what I am looking for. I really can't afford a "Gunsite" type of school, either. I'm afraid that it will take some sort of tradgedy to break through the complancy.

 

[Merle]

I'm of the opinion that a husband shouldn't teach his wife how to do anything, as it's too easy to let criticism become personal, whether it's intended that way or not.  Besides, just because you know how to shoot a gun, doesn't mean you can convey the principles to someone else. 
Luck for me my wife learned to shoot in boot camp, long before I knew her. 
GH1

I know what you mean - I'm beginning to wonder about my salesmanship skills as well as my teaching ability.