Should I pull the trigger and get a gun?

By Wendy Gragg

I want a gun.

Or, at least, I'm pretty sure I want a gun.

This has nothing to do with the recent Baylor robberies or suddenly deciding Waco is so dangerous I must pack heat.

This is about me recently taking a gun class at the Central Texas Rifle and Pistol Club in the China Spring area and discovering that I LOVE SHOOTING GUNS.

I'm really a pretty good shot and I think I might like to target shoot. Eventually, I might like to try my hand at hunting. And then, of course, there's always my tongue and cheek reason for getting familiar with firearms — to be more useful in a post-(zombie) apocalypse society.

In the Ladies pistol and handgun class I took ($20) we learned the difference between various guns and what to do and not do with guns to be safe with them. By a show of hands, most of the women in the class said they were there for self defense. Only the 15-year-old girl next to me and I said we were there "just because."

The best part was when they took us to the range and our instructors let us try out all their guns. I shot a 38, 380, 9mm, 22, 30 carbine military rifle and a Ruger made to be very much like a Colt 45.

"You are doing really well," my instructor said. I'm gonna credit my concentration, my 20/15 vision and my obsession with cops and crime shows.

I was even pretty good with that powerful military rifle, once I got the hang of it. "No flies on that!" one of the instructors said as I was shooting. I think that means something like, "good job."

My favorite was that single action revolver, the 45. It was a beautiful gun and there was just something that felt right about shooting something simple, like that. Something that has history.

The automatics were fine, but they are ugly little guns, aren't they? I liked the 22. I like the challenge of the 9mm, but the instructors say its more a gun to keep for self defense than to fire regularly at targets.

And that's where I come to my question. Are there other Waco area ladies that have guns for sport? Who don't plan on actually shooting another human but just enjoy the sport of shooting?

I don't want a gun for self defense. While at home, I'll probably keep the thing locked up. I don't want to have it around to go for if I hear a bump in the night. I don't think I could ever shoot someone anyway.

Considering I feel this way, should I just forget about a gun and find a new hobby? Maybe Scrabble?

I have one female friend who grew up hunting with her dad and brothers, but none of my other friends have ever fired a gun or would even think of owning one.

So I'd love some input from ladies who are packing. And, anyone want to take me shooting and talk about guns? I'll pitch in on ammo :)

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