What a difference a night makes (My wife and guns)

[The Annoyed Man]

My wife drove down here to PSC from DFW with me so she could expand her understanding of shooting, CHL, and self-defense. Did I marry well, or what?

[Excaliber]

My wife drove down here to PSC from DFW with me so she could expand her understanding of shooting, CHL, and self-defense. Did I marry well, or what?

Indeed you did!

[Pawpaw]

My wife drove down here to PSC from DFW with me so she could expand her understanding of shooting, CHL, and self-defense. Did I marry well, or what?

You certainly got the better end of that deal!

[Crossfire]

My wife drove down here to PSC from DFW with me so she could expand her understanding of shooting, CHL, and self-defense. Did I marry well, or what?

You certainly got the better end of that deal!

I would say he married up. But then, I've met his wife!

[xdfanatic]

Hey Terry, just figured I would chime in with my experience with my fiance and my choice to carry. I think your definitely on the right track with getting her to carry or at the very least being confident with a weapon. In my experience my GF was very shy (she had not even held a weapon before) and almost scared of my weapons. I generally shoot at least once a month at the range and after a few months of her not being interested in going even though I invited her, she decided to go with me one day. Like you I brought a .22 (S&W 22a) just in case she might want to try it, which I think is responsible for her seeing that it wasn't as "big and powerful" as my other weapons. It took a little time that day to show her the functions of Semi-Auto handguns but what stuck in her mind is that they all work pretty much the same. Of course it took a lot of time for her to become confident in shooting but what I decided would work best was I found an all female class here in Houston that helped familiarize her with the operation of handguns and also some self defense/ situational awareness. I really think patience is a virtue in this situation, also hearing some different approaches on the subject from outsiders also helped. It has been a little over a year and a half from that first range trip but she just got her plastic about 2 weeks ago. Since she is a teacher she doesn't carry as often as I would like(24/7), but she is comfortable with her weapon and proficient.
On another note you may want to find a decent .357 revolver for her to practice with that maybe one day can be her carry weapon. I say a .357 but remember you can shoot some light load .38 specials out of it and when you want to have some fun at the range you can load it "hot." Also wheel guns are great in my opinion for newer shooters to become proficient with because they eliminate the "always one in the chamber factor" that so many people forget. Just remember to continue running SA drills and reviews with her that way she will remain comfortable operating SA's. My fiance gets a kick out of going out on the range and shooting her snubbie .357 and my .45 these days. Good luck and stay safe!
Xd

[kjolly]

My wife has come a long way with even further to go. Initialy if I was cleaning the guns I had to sneak them outside past her because just seeing them scared her. She was cleaning my office and came across a snap cap and asked me to come in and move it. I eaplained it was a plastic replica and she still would not touch it. Now she is aware of my carrying encourages it and for me to stay profficient and has decided to learn to shoot but she wants to start with a pellet gun.
I explained I could pick up a 22 for almost the same price but she is insistent so I got a Gamco pellet gun that looks like my full size 9mm. Safety in the same location etc.
Now the problem is getting her to the range. I explained its illegal to shoot a pellet gun in the neighboehood however each time I head to the range she is still making excuses which is quite good as I discovered the sights on her pellet gun were way off and required a lot of fiddling so now if I get her out to the range she will feel better and a little more confident.

[74novaman]

My wife made her 2nd ever range trip this week. We tried handguns again (this time with a .22 instead of a 9mm....yes, I was terribly stupid the first time out). She fired it, but after a few shots was done. Just didn't enjoy handguns, even the .22 pistol. Went to the rifle range and when she saw me shooting my Marlin 1894 lever gun with .38s in it, and she said she'd like to give that one a try. She actually enjoyed it, and afterward thanked me for taking her and said maybe someday she wouldn't mind going again to shoot the Marlin.

I was incredibly supportive of whatever she did or didn't want to do, and it really helped. She told me she was more bothered by the noise of all the other people on the range than actually shooting herself. How I wish I had land of my own to shoot on so I wouldn't have to take her around other people to shoot!

She may never enjoy shooting pistols or get a carry permit, but for a california born, colorado hippie raised girl, for her to smile after shooting the Marlin was an incredible amount of success.

[Dave2]

I explained its illegal to shoot a pellet gun in the neighboehood

It is? I need to tell a couple friends to stop telling a certain story for a few years then.

[Jasonw560]

I explained its illegal to shoot a pellet gun in the neighboehood

It is? I need to tell a couple friends to stop telling a certain story for a few years then.

Check your city ordinances.

[LikesShinyThings]

My wife has come a long way with even further to go. Initialy if I was cleaning the guns I had to sneak them outside past her because just seeing them scared her. She was cleaning my office and came across a snap cap and asked me to come in and move it. I eaplained it was a plastic replica and she still would not touch it. Now she is aware of my carrying encourages it and for me to stay profficient and has decided to learn to shoot but she wants to start with a pellet gun.
I explained I could pick up a 22 for almost the same price but she is insistent so I got a Gamco pellet gun that looks like my full size 9mm. Safety in the same location etc.
Now the problem is getting her to the range. I explained its illegal to shoot a pellet gun in the neighboehood however each time I head to the range she is still making excuses which is quite good as I discovered the sights on her pellet gun were way off and required a lot of fiddling so now if I get her out to the range she will feel better and a little more confident.

Can you set up a small range in your garage, or some similar location? Large cardboard box stuffed full of cardboard should stop a pellet, unless you got one of the high velocity ones. That's what we used as a target in our back yard (we don't have those silly no-pellet-gun ordinances here.) What I'm getting at is, if you put it inside your building, you should be ok. If you can convince your wife she wants to do that.... though sounds like she might be just skittish enough to not want to do that - or at least not early on in her experience.

[Katygunnut]

I explained its illegal to shoot a pellet gun in the neighboehood

It is? I need to tell a couple friends to stop telling a certain story for a few years then.

Check your city ordinances.

Wow. This never even occurred to me. I need to check my ordinances, and may also be in the market for a large canopy / tarp.

[Katygunnut]

I think I'm OK

ARTICLE 7.200 DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS, AIR RIFLES AND OTHER PROJECTILES PROHIBITED*
It shall be unlawful to discharge any firearm, air rifle, pellet gun, BB gun, carbon dioxide (CO2) gun, bow, crossbow, or so-called hunting slingshot so that the projectile therefrom crosses any public property, or crosses any thoroughfare or property line within the City of Katy, Texas; except that such may be discharged by any party upon his own property and upon the property of another only when acting in such other person's presence and with permission.

Google truly is amazing. I can't remember how we managed to function back in the good old days when we did not have the answer to any question at our fingertips.