I have a good friend I work with, very liberal leaning but a very good guy none the less. Over the last few months we've had many discussions on the proposed Gun Control bills/issues and I've helped stamp out much of the misinformation, e.g. AR = Assault Rifle, Machines Guns running amuck, and many of the other popular crap-tastic supposed facts. When we first started discussing guns, he was very anti this, anti that, however, he's now more aware of the perpetuation of misinformation by both the media and politicians and he's starting to understand what's going on. I was very happy to hear this.
That said, he wants to go shooting. He wants to feel what it's like to shoot the angry, scary, black rifle. He's now open to the idea learning more of about something that's been vilified. Normally, I'd be excited to take him on a range trip, however, there's one issue. He's blind. Full on, 100% blind.
How do I take someone who is 100% blind to the range and teach him to shoot (within reason)? He obviously understands the risks involved and knows he won't be winning any shooting contests. My ideas are as follows, many of which are open for debate and advise, hence this post.
- I plan on contacting my club and discussing the idea and asking for advise, limitations, and if it'll even be allowed.
- If approved, I plan on sitting down with him and running through a dry-fire exercise of safe gun handling practices, cardinal rules, and letting him get a feel of the guns. His touch and hearing senses are on overdrive, he uses an iPhone daily, and very quick to pickup on the most minuscules of sensations that most of us don't pay much attention too.
- Again, If approved by my club, I'd bring him to the range and tune his situational awareness to the surroundings, e.g. safe direction, sounds, shooting stalls, etc. In terms of actually shooting, I plan on physically assisting him with sighting in the each of the guns he'll be shooting with. I'll be in direct physical contact with him the whole time. I plan to keep it to 2-3 rounds a mag as well.
Either way, I'd really like for him to experience what shooting it all about. I know for most of us, it was like the Pringles commercial, once you popped, you just couldn't stop. Secondly, he'll get to experience something he's never done and open up his mind a bit more. Most of all, I want to do this for him but I want it to be safe for everyone involved, including the folks who may be at the range when we go and might be a bit freaked out.
Has anyone run into a challenge like this? Any suggestions or items I should aware of?
Thanks
That said, he wants to go shooting. He wants to feel what it's like to shoot the angry, scary, black rifle. He's now open to the idea learning more of about something that's been vilified. Normally, I'd be excited to take him on a range trip, however, there's one issue. He's blind. Full on, 100% blind.
How do I take someone who is 100% blind to the range and teach him to shoot (within reason)? He obviously understands the risks involved and knows he won't be winning any shooting contests. My ideas are as follows, many of which are open for debate and advise, hence this post.
- I plan on contacting my club and discussing the idea and asking for advise, limitations, and if it'll even be allowed.
- If approved, I plan on sitting down with him and running through a dry-fire exercise of safe gun handling practices, cardinal rules, and letting him get a feel of the guns. His touch and hearing senses are on overdrive, he uses an iPhone daily, and very quick to pickup on the most minuscules of sensations that most of us don't pay much attention too.
- Again, If approved by my club, I'd bring him to the range and tune his situational awareness to the surroundings, e.g. safe direction, sounds, shooting stalls, etc. In terms of actually shooting, I plan on physically assisting him with sighting in the each of the guns he'll be shooting with. I'll be in direct physical contact with him the whole time. I plan to keep it to 2-3 rounds a mag as well.
Either way, I'd really like for him to experience what shooting it all about. I know for most of us, it was like the Pringles commercial, once you popped, you just couldn't stop. Secondly, he'll get to experience something he's never done and open up his mind a bit more. Most of all, I want to do this for him but I want it to be safe for everyone involved, including the folks who may be at the range when we go and might be a bit freaked out.
Has anyone run into a challenge like this? Any suggestions or items I should aware of?
Thanks
