Take a non shooter to the range

[4 eyed six shooter]

How many of you have taken a non gun owner to the range to learn how to shoot. With the heighten tentions about terrorism it would be a great time to do so. Invite the whole family to go, kids and all. Start them with a .22 LR and go from there. The more people who learn to safely handle a firearm, the more pro gun support we will have. I have found that unless someone is totally anti gun, they usually end up enjoying the experience. Don't forget the single parent family with just a mother at home. These kids don't normally have anyone at home who owns or shoots firearms. Just be sure to start the new shooters with a light recoiling firearm. Giving someone your .50 cal handcannon to shoot the first time out will scare the begeebers out of them.
Also, got shooting friends who are not NRA members? Take them a sign up form, have them fill it out and mail it in for them.
After taking them to the range several times, offer to go to the local gun shop with them and help them pick out their first firearm.
There has never been a better time to get new shooters in the sport.

 

[.45Ruger]

4 and counting.

All were casual friends, but now they are the best thing out there, somone to shoot with.

 

[10-Ring]

I've had the opportunity to bring non-shooters to the range a few times. For the most part, I've had nothing but positive experiences.

 

[cratz2]

I've long since lost count. When I was a member at a range that was relatively convinient to work, it was my goal to take at least one non-shooter to the range each week. Wasn't always that successful but I converted at least 20 people that year - not all strong antis, but none had ever been around a gun being fired. let alone actually shot one.

I've slacked a bit in the last couple years. I'm always campaigning verbally, if not so much physically.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've had the pleasure of introducing at least a dozen non-shooters to the joys of shooting. Knowledge is meant to be shared, not hoarded.

 

[4v50 Gary]

All the time. Spread the joy.

 

[gbelleh]

I've taken quite a few new shooters to the range, including some who were anti before they went! It's been one of the most rewarding shooting experiences for me and is one of the best things we can do for the RKBA.

Recently, I took a former anti-gun Canadian girl I knew from college to the range for the first time. I had a safety session with her before we went explaining the 4 rules and how important they are. She did extremely well at the range, moving up quickly from a .25 to 9mm, and was even shooting a USP .45 Compact pretty well by the end of the session.

A couple weeks later she was visiting her brother in-law with her parents out in San Francisco, and she told me that her brother in-law was showing them his new pistol with a laser sight. He was sweeping everyone with the muzzle, finger on the trigger, etc. She immediately told him to get his finger off the trigger, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and instructed him in the 4 safety rules!

I was very proud of her!

 

[Kilroy]

In 2002....over 160 new shooters introduced to handguns. 140 in 2001. I run the range for a local SAS chapter whose goal is to introduce firearms and shooting to new female shooters. Very rewarding and a positive image for gun owners.