What’s Up Sheepdogs? Ryan here with Tampa Carry.

I recently had an opportunity to go shooting with a former student Nichole.

Nichole is very new to the gun world. She was raised by two hippies, her words not mine, that encouraged her to stay away from firearms. As a child that was great advice for Nichole. However something in her mind changed after the Las Vegas massacre in 2017. Nichole and her husband made the decision that it was time to buy a gun and get protect themselves.

When Nichole arrived at the gun range she was bubbly and excited, that all changed when I asked her to load the magazine on a Glock 19. “Now I’m getting nervous” she said as she looked back at me. I gave her a quick word of encouragement and she was ready to shoot.

Bang, Bang, Bang

“Nope, No I don’t like this” Nichole said as she shaked a little. “I just can’t do this.” she blurted.

It was the recoil, it was just a little too much for her and is for most new shooters. Understandable so, guns can be scary and intimidating. At this point Nichole was ready to walk out and give up the idea of carrying a firearm concealed. I asked her to give me one more chance shooting with my eight year old daughters gun, a Walther P22. She agreed, she loaded the pistol and let loose. After she was finished she safety checked the firearm and looked back at me with a great big smile. “That was fun. I think I did a pretty good job” she said with amazement.

Sometimes first time shooters are pressured by a spouse or friend to shoot a large caliber gun that scares the crap out of them and just like Nichole they decide “I’m never doing this again.”

I strongly believe it’s better to practice the functionality and fundamentals of shooting with a firearm that you feel comfortable with. If that’s a 22LR that’s ok. Practice with your 22 until you're proficient and then if you choose, you can make the transition to shooting a larger caliber firearm. Once somebody is comfortable with shooting, basics, recoil and safety it is easier to handle a larger caliber firearm with confidence.

Nichole fired 50 rounds and had pretty solid groupings. She then asked me what she should do next to continue developing her skills. My answer “Buy a gun”, she looked at me like I was crazy. I’m sure she was thinking “why would I buy a gun if I don’t feel comfortable yet,” I believe the only way she will ever get comfortable is to buy a firearm, I recommended a Ruger SR22, some dummy rounds and practice loading, unloading, sight alignment until she has it down.

You don’t learn to drive a car by reading a book, you learn by getting behind the wheel and practicing. I also encouraged Nichole to watch some of my free training videos on YouTube and practice the drills. The more she handles a firearm the more natural and confident she will become.

I think Nichole did a great job shooting today. She overcame her fear and realized that shooting is pretty fun.

That's all I have for today. So until next time keep training and stay safe...

That's all I have for today. So until next time keep training and stay safe...Talk to you soon,

Ryan G. Thomas

P.S. You’re one step away from getting your Florida concealed carry permit….FAST & EASY…

And for a limited time you can watch the concealed carry course online for free... Click here to get started...