Target shooting at the range

We now own a rifle!  To say that I am surprised by that is an understatement.  I am THAT Mom who has never allowed the children to play with guns.  We own not a single toy gun of any type and my kids are almost teenagers.  Bows and arrows or swords are fine but not guns!   But recently my husband has been saying how much he would like us to ride a motorcycle or maybe own a gun for target shooting.  I had a quick decision to make as I also hate motorcycles (as in my past life I was an Occupational Therapist and have seen what people look like after a motor cycle accident) and I wasn't about to agree to riding on the back of one! So we went gun shopping instead.  Of course we went shopping to just look and that same day came home with a 22 rifle!  My husband was even shocked at that.  To say purchasing a gun takes almost as long as purchasing a car is not much of a stretch.  We were there a LONG time, so long that I wondered off to explored the store and found a lovely outdoor rocking chair to sit in until my husband called to say we were almost done...but really not!  I think he just wanted someone to talk to while we waited for all the paper work to be processed.  Several hours later we walked out of the store with our new gun and ammunition.  My husband was excited whereas I was a little apprehensive.  The store informed us that there was a shooting range only 15 minutes away from where we lived.  

My husband has shot some guns before, whereas I have never shot a fire arm other than at boy scouts camp and that was a BB gun.

Our first day at the range and I laughed at seeing our little car next to all the big trucks.  I think this says we are out of place here:)

Shooting range is outdoors and very nice.  We were given a quick instruction of how to be safe on the range .

see our tiny gun at rack 17 and then compare it to the monsters guns to the left.  We  felt a little inadequate with our gun purchase 

This was the set up for the guy shooting next to us....oh and it was loud too.  The stores said we could get by with simple ear plugs, but no way, I flinched and jump every time this gun went off.  The next time we went to the range we came better prepared with proper ear protection.

Since this was the first time either of us have shot this gun so we only worked at the 25 yard as we needed to sight our scope. To say we had no idea what we were doing is a understatement.  We quickly removed the scope and just used the iron sights  and actually we both did very good:)  We have since gotten advice and fixed our scope so it is more accurate, and can shoot at the 50 yard line.  Each time we are moving further away:)

Husband shooting 

My turn

I kept each of our first bullet casing as well as target page--I will save anything:) 

My husband is pointing to my target, yep I whooped him on the range:)  beginners luck :)

Getting home and showing the kids how to clean the gun and discussing the family rules and responsibilities of gun ownership.

We intend to take the children target shooting eventually but I first want to find some programs for children on gun safety and shooting.  We have heard of several programs in the area and are investigating our options.  For now my husband and I are enjoying the 2 hours  each week where we go alone to the target range and practice without the kids tagging along.  I will even admit I enjoy it:)