women help please

[JeshKidney]

I recently started carrying and I was just wondering. How I can convince my fiancée (who is scared of firearms) their is nothing to fear about them when safely used I was also wondering how I can convince her she can also shoot a firearm she hasn't really given me a reason she fears firearms she just says "I'm just not really big on guns" ladies please help thank you I would prefer a PM because I don't really check forums very often

[csicuso]

I have my concealed carry in Michigan, my husband does not. I go to the indoor range by myself and shoot, looking at getting a smaller carry than my 38. I love shooting, and maybe if you took her to a range where she can try different guns and see how natural it is she might come around. Most people don't like guns because they've never tried it.

[cgiven1]

Take her to the range. Start her off small. A .22 or .25 if you have one. Gradually work up to larger guns. Biggest mistake is to start off to big and have here get scared. She won't want to continue. First hand experience is the best teacher.

[Elspeth]

You can't "convince" her, she has to change her own mind. Let her see you carrying safely without making a big deal of it. Invite her to the range, but accept it if she says No. Invite her to other events, with your shooting buddies, that don't necessarily involve shooting. Let her get comfortable - to non-gun people, guns are a whole 'nother culture. I would still be afraid of guns if my friend hadn't been incredibly patient with me - now I own 8!

[creatism]

You can't "convince" her, she has to change her own mind. Let her see you carrying safely without making a big deal of it. Invite her to the range, but accept it if she says No. Invite her to other events, with your shooting buddies, that don't necessarily involve shooting. Let her get comfortable - to non-gun people, guns are a whole 'nother culture. I would still be afraid of guns if my friend hadn't been incredibly patient with me - now I own 8!

Agree with this 100%. My fiance was scared, didn't like, didn't want to be around guns. That was when we started dating. Now she just gotten used to be around them and seeing me handle, shoot, and carry every day and not shooting myself in the leg etc. she now wants to try shooting, won't go above a 22. But it's a start!!

[JeshKidney]

Thank you I will start taking her in the back yard when I shoot I love living in the country :-D

[Pony Lauricella]

My husband got me over my fear (which was really just simple ignorance) of guns by taking me to the range and having me give his .45 a try. After the initial shock, I really got into it.

Be prepared for her to react strongly after the first few shots- Not everyone goes through it, but I know a lot of people who this has happened to their first time. It can be anything from shaking to crying to throwing up(!) but after a few minutes, everything is cool. Me, I just got a little shaky and had to sit down for a few minutes. Just be patient and don't give her a hard time.

[garnet1975]

Does she go with you when you go out to practice? This might help her because then she can see how you, personally, handle a firearm. Watching you plink at targets she'll also become more accustomed to the noise, etc. If you own one, perhaps use a .22 pistol or rifle during these outings. Obviously that caliber is much less intimidating than an AR-15, or even the 1911 my (eventual) husband taught me with on our first date! After a few rounds she might even start to get those itchy fingers that people seem to get when they see someone else having fun, and wander over to give it a try herself!

As another person has already stated though, you can't "convince" her they are perfectly safe when handled by a responsible individual. In the end, she will have to make up her own mind. Good luck!

[beskytte]

Hi I am new to this Forum. I have been reading through the sub forums, and I've seen a lot of good information on here. I have discussed this with my fiancee as well. I have invited her to the range several times to no avail. It took her a while to get over the fact that I have guns in the house. Her argument is that her father never had any guns in the house. I just want to ensure my future wife can take care of herself. I will follow some of the suggestions I read in here. I guess I will see. It may help if she had some girlfriends that like to shoot.

[SigGal]

Attend a CCW class together. If you have your permit you might can take a refresher course from the same place at no charge.

There is so much more involved in CCW than just getting a permit. I went with DH to the class because I wanted to see just what he was getting himself into. As our instructor said over and over, once that trigger is pulled you have a lifetime of emotional, physical and financial responsibilities to deal with. Not just for you but for your family and friends. Don't scare her but she should know these things. I felt it was my responsibility as a spouse to be educated in all the aspects of owning a gun. Throughout the course many of the myths about gun ownership was put to the side. I read and heard many comments from the people that attended on how the gun played a role in their daily lives. It was very educational and I left that day feeling like I was ready to take the step to prepare myself for whatever comes. I think its very important for spouses to have the CCW. I first decided to take my CCW course so I could see what my husband was getting involved in and if for no other reason if I was sitting in our car alone for whatever reason with a few guns it would be legal. So its not always about being able to carry but some really good educational gun advice.

Along with the CCW permit, we now belong to a gun club and routinely practice our gun skills. Our gun club you had to take a gun safety course to join. Again very important and learning from someone else often works best. Safety safety safety! Not far from my daughters home someone cornered a women in a discount store in the middle of the day! Not far from our own home someone shot the driver of a car stopped at a red light with his wife and children in the back seat. This person was running a few blocks from where the police were after him. A NICE part of town I might add. Things happen, just read the newspaper. I'm forever thankful that my DH brought me to that class and is in the process of preparing me to take care of myself if need be. We were never involved in guns growing up nor were we when our children were small. That was then, this is now. I've given mace to my daughters for years. When they're ready for the next step we'll be there to help.

I still consider myself hesitant with firearms. His baretta scared the ... out of me! Start with something lighter. My p238 Lady (my bling gun) is about the easiest thing around, racking and recoil. This takes time and my DH is very easy going about what I will and will not do. I must admit there is a SLIGHT competitive thing going on with us. Doesn't hurt that my first few rounds are dead center :) Someone said find other female shooters, excellent advice. Check out a variety of ranges and ask if they have a womens night or events.

And remember, when its time for her to get her own gun, take her shopping! It has to be what works for her.

Good luck!