Need the ladies to help!

[pure performance]

My girlfriend and I have been dating for almost 4 years now and we have only been shooting once. When we first started dating she didn't know that I owned guns or how passionate I was about the sport. I brought it up in conversation and found out that she was part of the anti-gun crowd ( raised with a one sided view from her parents) . After talking to her a bit and convincing her to go shooting shes now "afraid". I know she saying that to not make me angry or start a potentially big argument, and I have enough respect and care for her to not let it get to that point.
I know that I can changed her opinions and may even get her into shooting consistently when I go, I just need to give her that little incentive to go.
Any ideas on how I can get her to actually go to the range and have a good time. I know once she's out there and is having fun in a safe environment her opinions will change and she'll want to go more often.

[The Banana]

You took her shooting and now she's afraid? That is unclear.

[PM720]

If you haven't taken her yet I URGE you to start with a .22. So many "guys" love to put something nasty in a newbies hands and that can scare them off. There is plenty of time for the big stuff.

My GF has only been once with me but I think her main issues are with the indoor range. She is jumpy around sudden loud noises.

Scott

[Tanner68]

Dating for four years? There is a lot more going on here.

What does "afraid" mean?

And sometimes it is a blessing if they don't share your shooting hobby.

Take here shooting out in the woods as part of a nice little trip. Shoot 22s and handguns. Most rifles and shotguns don't fit women and intimidate them.

[The Banana]

I missed the four years part. Wow there are bigger issues me thinks. This is like cats and dogs, having babies, or religious conversion issues. If you have taken her shooting and done it the right way (as in not handing her a .45 or something dumb) and she is afraid, there is no magic powder. Either you are ok that she likes dogs and you like cats or you are done and just wanting for things to end. You don't change a person.

Now, admittedly I am afraid of the range at times. There is one near my house where the Bubba-set seems to go and that fills me with fear - drunken morons shooting guns they cannot handle even sober.

[Evil Eve]

Here are my opinions:

Why don't you take her to watch a female competition so she can see how women need no longer be afraid.

Or you can set up some kind of shooting meet where more girls can go along to make her feel more comfortable.

Another suggestion is to have her meet and talk to someone that survived an attack because she was carrying.

and lastly you can ask her "what exactly she might be afraid of? is it the noise level, the recoil, or enjoying it? (just don't be rude and yes your tone can be rude so watch that too.) and then plan accordingly.

[movie zombie]

http://corneredcat.com/

and research the existing threads here in the Ladies Forum. lots has been written about this.

it is her right to not participate.
do not force this. she needs to come to this on her own.
you can lead a horse to water but you cannot force it to drink.
for a lot of women the more you push the more she's going to resist.

[MrsRazz]

http://corneredcat.com/

and research the existing threads here in the Ladies Forum. lots has been written about this.

it is her right to not participate.
do not force this. she needs to come to this on her own.
you can lead a horse to water but you cannot force it to drink.
for a lot of women the more you push the more she's going to resist.

^^^This

[Gary13]

Op, it sounded like you were saying that she is afraid of getting you angry and that you would use a gun if you did. Did I read that wrong?

[pure performance]

First off to Gary 13, no she she knows that I would never use a gun in anger.

Second I asked her why she was afraid and it turned out that it was the range that I took her to. Unfamilar, and unfriendly looking people is what she didn't like about our first experience out. We planned a small weekend trip up to clearlake. We will be staying at my parent house, wine tasting ( her choice) and a little bit of shooting. Thanks for all your help and replies.

Ps wine tasting and shooting will be on seperate days.

[movie zombie]

thanks for the follow up, pure performance.

and good work re finding out that it was the range: not all ranges are created equal and some may never be comfortable for her. good plan re clearlake and following the rule of not mixing alcohol with shooting.

please post again and let us know how it goes.