Character Research - Yeah That's the Ticket

A while back, my sister and brother-in-law helped me create a "man" day for the Hubby's birthday.  What did we do for this man day, you ask?  Went to the gun range of course.  (Yes, I know it's stereotypical but I'm from the South; it's what we do.)

Sis firing it up

To be fair, the Hubby wanted to go to the gun range.  I didn't have much to do with the decision.  I was excited though, mainly because it made the Hubby smile but partly because well, let's face it - who doesn't like a controlled explosion now and then.  And I thought it would be great research for future fictional characters.

I'm not a big gun nut but I have shot once or twice.  Always outside and always just for fun at targets like milk jugs filled with water. (Yeah, that's a hoot with a proper shotgun.)  I don't know the first thing about guns though; other than which end I don't want pointed at me.  I don't know the difference between the ones with the bullet sticks (clips, maybe?) and the ones with the spinny middles (my guess here would be revolver since the middle part revolves.)

And before I get any "Holy hell, girl! Your father was a police officer for crying out loud!" let me just point out the obvious - I am a stubborn shit who stands on the opposite side of the fence just because I can. So yeah, no gun knowledge; sort of on purpose; just to be stubborn.

When we set out, I was afraid of becoming a viral video like the one of the girl in the bikini top who smacks herself in the head while firing a gun.  Needless to say, I was sort of worked up when we arrived. There were lots of no nonsense guys clack, clack, clacking away while we signed the thousand page release form.  And then the Hubby asked which gun I wanted to shoot first, to which I promptly said "it's your birthday, you pick."  Because there was no way I was going to let the ten year old gun expert manning the counter laugh at me when I chose the one with the spinny middle.

For the record, a gun shot indoors is LOUD.  And shell casings bouncing off divider walls are HOT.  Oh and if you hold your tongue just right, you can catch the shells in the hood of your sweatshirt. O.o

We shot several guns; I can't name any of them.  But I did learn how to load them and how to fix a jam.  I also learned when it comes to guns, the Hubby and I like the bigger bangs - BABAMM.  We both had the same favorite, a heavy handled .45 caliber that made me physically "UMPH" every time I pulled the trigger.  That gun had power, baby!

I'm not sure I'm a gun convert but the Hubby had a good time.  And that's what really counts. ^_^