Need help to take Daughter shooting

[Stvros]

My 22 year old Daughter, who has been afraid of and vocally anti of my interest in guns and shooting flew home from California yesterday for a weeks stay. Before I got home from work a package arrived from Midway with 300 rounds of .38 that started a familiar conversation in my home about my "obsession" with guns etc., etc. To my surprise, my daughter told me she would like to learn to shoot a handgun, "just to know how". I am ecstatic at the opportunity to take her shooting and make it safe, fun, and non threatening. Two years ago my first attempt failed miserably when she left an indoor range shaking and in tears because the loud guns around us scared the shit out of her. Could some members here recommend an outdoor range anywhere in the Denver area that is open to the public that I could sieze this opportunity to shoot with her? This is my chance to "un-demonize" guns to someone I cherish and any help would be greatly appreciated.

[sroz]

Cherry Creek.

[Stvros]

Thanks, saw that in the places to shoot section and at this point seemed my most viable option. Will probably try to take her on a weekday.

[cofi]

why havnt you raised her around guns so she wouldnt be scared of them? my 2 year old loves guns "BOOM BOOM BOOM" and while she wont be shooting for another 2 years i still try to involve her as much as possible

[blacklabel]

why havnt you raised her around guns so she wouldnt be scared of them? my 2 year old loves guns "BOOM BOOM BOOM" and while she wont be shooting for another 2 years i still try to involve her as much as possible

That's assuming a lot. I'm just glad to see that he's wanting to sway her opinion now and provide with a skill that could potentially save her life.

[Bailey Guns]

If you had more time I'd welcome you to shoot at my place in Bailey. Good luck with the "conversion"!

[kwando]

Cherry creek is very safe, they rent other handguns as well. Im headed there today as well.

[Goodburbon]

Wish you were closer, we could just go in the back yard.

[Holger Danske]

Get her started on on a .22 pistol. If you dont have one rent one

[dwalker460]

Second vote for Cherry Creek. I took my wife who being Chinese had never been around shooting, out there on a weekend to show her that shooting is a family sport enjoyed by men women and children. The 9 or 10 year old in the lane next to us was getting instruction from his Dad, and there were several women of all ages there which put her a lot more at ease.

[james_bond_007]

If you want it to be a very private and quiet introduction, without a lot of noise from everyone else's guns, think about going up to Pawnee Grasslands .
About an hour or so northeast of Westminster.

You pretty much find a spot (typically, in a ravine, to ensure you know where your bullets will stop), set up your targets, and shoot.
Buy or improvise a target stand (large stacked cardboard boxes, tied down, can even work). For beginner pistol, small paper plates can work for "starter" targets.
Although not expressly allowed, I've taken plastic bottles to use as targets...and always cleaned up my mess (packed out my targets, brass, and anything else I used).

Only cost is the price of gas and the travel time ( hour there and back).

[MarkCO]

I'll probably be going to WHAC on Monday afternoon. It is private, outdoors and not too far of a drive.

I'll be taking my boys for some .22 practice and a little CF too, you are more than welcome to meet me there and if you need to borrow a .22, can do that too.

[HoneyBadger]

Get her started on on a .22 pistol. If you dont have one rent one

Best advice here. .22lr makes shooting really easy and fun for newbies and converts! .22lr won my wife over and now my .30-30 is her favorite gun! [Awesom]

[Stvros]

Thanks for all the tips, I'm going to run some options by her and see what she prefers. Thank you MarkCO for your generous offer, if I'm off Monday I'll shoot you a PM(love your writing in Leg. & Pol.) I am also researching Pawnee Grasslands as that seems like a place I would like to go shoot. I have 22 in both rifle and pistol and was going to work my way up the calibers to see what she likes the most. Thank you ALL for your advice and suggestions, it is much appreciated.

[vim]

And the noise bothers her? Earplugs AND a headset.

[DEAGLER]

I agree Cherry Creek is nice, but I don't like paying entrance fee to the park. And it has gone up.

[GhostRider]

also might take another woman along with you, some times seeing another lady have fun or the her saying that she likes a particular weapon helps, instead of coming from a guy they think might play a joke or just doesnt understand the way she feels. I have taught other ladies and a second female who is already excited about guns is a good thing. She will feel like she is not being over powered by the men. Good luck, I luv to see the ladies get into shooting.

[dwalker460]

Was up at Pawnee today, VERY WINDY. and its a 2 hour drive from Denver, costs more in gas to drive out there than an entire trip to Cherry Creek, and if you run out of ammo or need something, its at least a half hour each way to anything worthwhile. Not to mention there is NOTHING out there, no facilities of any kind if you get my meaning, so not where I would think of to teach someone to shoot if they are already had bad experiences. Marks offer was a good one. I MAY go to Cherry Creek tomorrow for a few hours, you are welcome to join me and whoever comes with me.

[Holger Danske]

Best advice here. .22lr makes shooting really easy and fun for newbies and converts! .22lr won my wife over and now my .30-30 is her favorite gun! [Awesom]

Yup. My wife just got a 1911 in .45 for her bday. We just took it to the range today and she was rocking it. She started with .22 and still loves to shoot her mark III.

[Ridge]

Cherry Creek, as others have said. I would recommend going during a week day, so there are fewer people there.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Another +1 for Cherry Creek. Close, convenient, and good people.

[hollohas]

Like others have said, use the 22. But also let her shoot at something other than paper, like clays... is so much more rewarding and fun for a new shooter to see a clay break or a metal plate swing than to barely see a tiny little hole on paper

[Katastrophic]

I was raised in a staunch anti-gun household and only got into guns when I met my husband. I was traumatized as well by the amount of noise at the indoor ranges. So he set me up with a 12 ga shotgun and I got my hunter safety and I learned how to shoot with birds and clays. Basically, the more to distract her while she's getting used to the sounds and feel, the better. I still need double ear protection at the indoor ranges 12 years later or I get jumpy :)

[ChunkyMonkey]

Take her to a shooting range class... Let her see that this so called gun culture is far from evil as the media and liberal paint it in California, moreover she gets to see that whether one is a gun enthusiast, defensive shooter, hunter, he/she is a just your everyday neighbor and friend. Good luck on breaking the ice.

[cstone]

IF you can't make Monday with MarkCO, PM me with a day that works better for you. I am also a member at WHAC and would be happy to take you and your daughter. I wanted to go today. The weather was fantastic, however I got back from Grand Junction very late last night and just couldn't force myself out of bed for the .22lr steel dog match.

My wife dislikes indoor ranges. It is tough on some people, proximity, noise, smell, lighting, are big complaints.

[rondog]

Man, if you weren't way the hell up in Westminster I'd be happy to take you both out to Ben Lomond anytime! She'd have a great time shooting anything she wanted, in a totally safe and private environment. With portajohns everywhere and a new clubhouse with real bathrooms and showers! Great place, you guys would dig it, but it's a long ways away from you.

[Stvros]

Talked to her this morning and she's going to go with me Tues afternoon or Weds before she flies home. I have gotten so much support and offers from this post its overwhelming and I appreciate them all. Depending on my work schedule (on call) and the weather, we will probably do Cherry Creek or head out to the Pawnee Grasslands. She's a bit intimidated but does want to at least know how to operate and be familiar with the different guns at our disposal. I'm taking a Mark II 22 pistol and HK MP5-A5 22 rifle, 380 Bersa, 9mm Makarov, 9mm Ruger, 357 revolver, and 40 S&W for handguns. I'll also pack my AR in case she is liking it and wants to go higher. I'm going to try to make it as low-key, educational, and fun as possible, all of the tips given here (ear protection, target choices) will help. The structure and safety measures of the CC Range is definitely a draw for her but the idea of the privacy of the Grasslands is also enticing, I'm going to let her decide and will post again with the results, Thx again to all.

[rondog]

Sorry, I missed the part about her not living here. But if she comes back for another visit sometime and you're willing to make the drive, the offer stands!

This goes for anyone else too! I'd be happy to take a couple guests out to BLGC anytime, especially if it's about introducing a youngster or non-shooter to shooting and a safe, low-key, friendly environment is needed. It's just a long drive and it can get breezy out there.

[blacklabel]

The only major downside to Pawnee is that it's not "comfortable". Wind, no facilities, etc. make it a pain but I've brought quite a few new shooters out there to have their first experience firing a weapon.

[MarkCO]

I'm taking a Mark II 22 pistol and HK MP5-A5 22 rifle, 380 Bersa, 9mm Makarov, 9mm Ruger, 357 revolver, and 40 S&W for handguns. I'll also pack my AR in case she is liking it and wants to go higher.

In all honesty, leave these at home: 380 Bersa, 9mm Makarov, 9mm Ruger, 357 revolver, and 40 S&W. New shooters often feel overwhelmed by the vast array and any improper grip or pain will reinfroce bad memories in a person who does not want to really shoot. The less pressure you put on her, the easier you make it for her, the better that chance you will both enjoy it and the resultant outcome you desire will be more probable. Maybe, the 357 Mag with some powder puff .38 loads, both no centefire auto-loading pistols.

[JlazyH]

It CAN be done. Nuff said.[ROFL1]

[JlazyH]

Talked to her this morning and she's going to go with me Tues afternoon or Weds before she flies home. I have gotten so much support and offers from this post its overwhelming and I appreciate them all. Depending on my work schedule (on call) and the weather, we will probably do Cherry Creek or head out to the Pawnee Grasslands. She's a bit intimidated but does want to at least know how to operate and be familiar with the different guns at our disposal. I'm taking a Mark II 22 pistol and HK MP5-A5 22 rifle, 380 Bersa, 9mm Makarov, 9mm Ruger, 357 revolver, and 40 S&W for handguns. I'll also pack my AR in case she is liking it and wants to go higher. I'm going to try to make it as low-key, educational, and fun as possible, all of the tips given here (ear protection, target choices) will help. The structure and safety measures of the CC Range is definitely a draw for her but the idea of the privacy of the Grasslands is also enticing, I'm going to let her decide and will post again with the results, Thx again to all.

Take lots of pictures if you can Dad. If you can without pissing her off.

[robertcolorado2009]

OMG!!! How could you expose a woman to such a terrible dangerous activity as this??? How dare you! You are endangering this young woman to this danger? You should be ashamed mister!!! Oh!!!..... The humanity! Where does it end? With a gun in every daughters hand? Have you no shame?! Heeeheeeheee!!! I hope all women could be exposed to the safety of CCW-guns and how they can be the most powerful force of protection there is against rapists, assaults and robberies. Keep up the good work, dear sir! We stand with you!

[brianakell]

My thoughts:
-DO NOT go to a range. Too many other people, even 1 is too many. They will make her nervous, even if theyre shooting a BB gun wearing a tuxedo. Shes nervous enough already. Go somewhere you can be sure youll be the only ones.
-Go over safety first, slowly, methodically. Be very patient, and keep things simple, dont get all technical or political.
-small caliber, ideally "friendly looking" ie wood guns first, close targets. Not animal targets, just paper circles, on target stands.

Slowly move on from there as she becomes more comfortable. Be sure you are not rushed for time and dont have to meet for dinner, movie etc, nothing afterwards. Less pressure the better.

[970TJ]

My daughter shot her first round at four years old, and has been addicted ever since. My younger daughter will have her day this summer (she turned 4 this month). Brings a tear to my eye!
They're both girly girls, but my eldest got a pink Chipmunk .22 for her birthday this last fall, and she hounds me to go shoot constantly.
I'm glad you get to have this chance with your daughter regardless of her age; its never too late!

(plus, its nice to have another person in the house who can shoot and load mags in the event of a SHTF situation! lol)