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Published: April 20th 2012
After spending a considerable amount of time "monging" on the sofa at my friend Kayla's house.. I have finally started to experience true Americana. Today I went to a shooting range called "ready aim fire", but not before a quick stop at the ammunition store, complete with mounted deer heads and a fully mounted and stuffed bear. Proving that taxidermy is still a viable art form. I hadn't expected to discover hick town USA so soon into my travels or actually in New Jersey.
So the british girl embarked on a trip to the gun range, after handing over my driving license to the gentleman behind the counter, who seemed quite bemused by a British driving license I loaded up on googles and ear muffs, and held a 38 calibre gun in my hand. An actual gun. The closest I have ever came to a gun has been while paint balling or a brief experience with my brothers BB gun, which was in no way responsible for the dents in my garage door.
It was pretty incredible to be holding an actual gun capable of maiming and killing someone, though I had to make do with paper targets though they did show a silhouette of the human form so at no point could I forget the purpose of the weapon. Though I did consider the rather comical targets of zombies. Kayla's husband whom I affectionately refer to as brown bear is an ex-marine who loaded the gun for me, before smartly stepping back.
Well I wasn't prepared for the recoil as my first shot completely missed the target that was literally feet away from me. I would have made a better attempt at hitting the target had I just thrown the gun at the target. Kayla agreed that pistol whipping would have been the better approach for me when handling the gun. Not to be deterred I attempted a second shot, after jumping back a foot and nearly falling over, I put the gun down. Deciding that I had been a bit ambitious in thinking I could fire a 38 calibre gun. I returned to the counter and retrieved a 22 calibre pistol that wouldn't have looked out of place in a western movie. Reinvigorated and feeling very country and western despite being in Pennsylvania, I attempted to shoot again, at least this time I was hitting the target somewhat even if it was only the very edge. I was put off slightly by the barely teenage Americans near me who had come with their own guns in cases, reminding me how fucking crazy America really is.
My confidence was only further knocked by Kayla and Brown bear hitting the target repeatedly in the head, and reminding me why I should be on my best behaviour when half of america can probably shoot me in the head quicker than I can say "stupid redneck."
So what have I learnt from inhaling gunpowder and lead?... Guns are fucking stupid, and even if you don't get hit by a bullet they still hurt.
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Gary R
non-member comment
Haha...but you + gun = scary lol
Why am i not surprised you 2 have spent large amounts of time "monging" on the sofa :-p haha. I think the whole gun thing is one experience i'm not really jealous of...and it all sounds so surreal...tho your experience does sound very funny lol, kinda wish i could have seen you attempting the shooting range, whilst at the same time being very scared of the thought of you holding a real gun :-? lol. haha your final couple of statement on what you've learnt might be good ones not to forget especially with your love for telling it as it is lol. Take care X