Bringing a gun shot victim to the range for her first time. Advice?

[Emdawg]

The Yes and No part was due to me being a minor when I was shot with a pistol, so the most part I technically couldn't be an "owner" of a handgun.


Anyways, my wound was a accident caused by my own self. Now I sympathise with the OP's friend, but I would consider my instance worse. The OP's friend had never been around guns and was then shot by one, so her fear of firearms can be expected.

As for me, I was raised with guns and hunting, so I knew safety. And all it took was that one instant when the gun was not handled properly and then BANG. I recieved large wound where a .45 slug entered from right below the knee-cap and then exited over half-way down my clalf, turning my leg into a flabby mess a point-blank. Bullet barely missed by bone and just grazed by my artery. The doctor told me that if the bullet (a slug from a 45 Long Colt) had hit the artery, I would have died well before Emergency Services got to me. If it had it the bone he would had to have amputated.



Now, I am sure most readers will be thinking that I am an idiot and shouldn't be trusted with a firearm and am a fool menace at the range. And that is exactly the problem.

I was teased and ridiculed for months after my accident, especially by friends and family who are big into shooting. I felt like a fool and a jacka**.

However, that didn't stop me from going back to the thing I love doing. I had support from friends and family that knew better about me. Hell, a good friend was a Sheriff's deputy and had shot his hand while cleaning a pistol, so he knew all about it.


All it takes is the will to know that it will never happen again and to not let failure and misfortune force you to live in fear.

[Excitable Boy]

One more quick thought here that I meant to put in my original post:

If you can arrange to have you both with some electronic ear protection like the Howard Leight Impacts, it will likely help as you'll be able to communicate with each other without having to shout and get over the "what? what?" issue. I have found these type of ear protection to be really helpful with folks that are new to shooting and already tense or nervous on the range.

[BonnieB]

OP will you please tell us how this turns out? Also what worked for her, and what didn't? We all can use the input.

And thanks for being willing to do this.

[mattsn0w]

OP will you please tell us how this turns out? Also what worked for her, and what didn't? We all can use the input.

And thanks for being willing to do this.

Will do!

My friend has had super busy weekends with work and other fun things planned. We will be meeting up in September to do handling and if she feels up to it shooting as well.

[mattsn0w]

For those interested in supporting my friend get some justice, please like this FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/JusticeforBrittany

If you have any ties to the Las Vegas justice system or LEO, please spread the word.