Issue link: http://ssaansw.uberflip.com/i/188265
Try Shooting My introduction to firearms came when I was 9 or 10 through my Uncle who was an avid sporting shooter. Once I was legally old enough, we made it out to the local range on a couple of occasions which really kick started my interest. Unfortunately, the '96 and '02 reforms took their toll on my Uncle and he gave the sport away and without any opportunities to participate in the sport, it would be quite a few years before I would get hooked again. organise a 'Try Pistol Shooting' day through Facebook. The event reached a practical limit of 15 in just a couple of days and I booked the group in with the club. On the day we had a total of 13 participants and with the professional and personable guidance of our Instructors, everyone had an excellent time. Many were surprised at just how challenging pistol shooting is. It was finally stirred again during a trip to the US in 2011 with my wife, Leanne, and step daughter. While in Las Vegas, I jumped at the opportunity to go to the famous Gun Store. The experience was awesome although nothing like what is obtainable in Australia. Fully automatic, belt-fed SAW's and M4s had me grinning ear to ear and Leanne particularly enjoyed the pink AK-47. Then in September that same year when we were on Hamilton Island for our wedding with an entourage of friends we noticed a small shooting range offering .22 rifles and pistols, a 9mm Glock 17 and a .44 Magnum. It wasn't just my own interest that kicked into gear that day, but also that of my groomsman, Sam. The following June we both signed up with the St Marys Pistol Club and enrolled into one of their safe handling courses. Once the course was out of the way and our provisional licences were issued, we were into it head first, getting to just about every trainee shoot on the calendar during our probationary period. Since joining the sport I've been keen to talk about it to anyone who would listen. It turned out that a lot of people wanted to know more, and surprisingly, I haven't come across any negative sentiments. Most people I talk to are curious about the sport, the safety aspects and the legal/regulatory side of it. This lead me to Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. After the day, the feedback I received was all positive. Everyone agreed that the activity was completely safe with all risk related to firearm safe handling mitigated through the one on one instruction ensuring that everyone was able to enjoy the experience. Other feedback was about the inclusive nature of the sport which does not discriminate based on age, gender, physical ability or athleticism. Many noted it's a sport that anyone can enjoy. Try Shooting experiences are a great way to introduce family and friends to your past-time. Organising groups to participate makes for a great atmosphere and may even bring out some competitiveness among participants. It is also probably the most effective way of changing people's perceptions of the shooting sports given the relentless anti-gun media stories. Chris Portman 9