Growing up, I was not allowed to play with toy guns –– not even water
guns –– so it's not surprising that I never fired a real gun for most of
my adult life. Last week, however, this changed when I spent the
morning at Fletcher Arms, 1441 E. Main St. in Waukesha, receiving a gun
lesson and later, shooting in the indoor range.

Bob Llanas has worked as an instructor at Fletcher Arms for nine years,
and he gave me two-and-a-half-hours of pre-shooting instruction that
primarily focused on safety.





Llanas stressed the "golden rules" of firearms safety: assume all
firearms are loaded, always point the firearm in a safe direction and
keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. It sounds
like common sense, but as Llanas pointed out, accidents happen all the
time that are a result of one of these three rules being ignored.

"Safety is top priority," says Llanas. "And here, at Fletcher's, it is just about as safe as you can make a range."

Fletcher Arms' has strict safety rules, including that all loading of
ammunition must take place at a bench, which is outside of the shooting
range. Plus, bullet-proof glass separates the shooters from the
employees, who constantly observe the range action.

"If anyone appears unfamiliar with the sport or has a cavalier attitude
we are quick to remind them of the rules or, if need be, request that
they leave," says Llanas.

Wisconsin is one of two states where it is illegal for people to
carry a concealed weapon, which includes transporting a gun in car.
hence, to transport a gun to a range, drivers must make sure the
firearm is unloaded, enclosed in a case and put out of reach.

Fletcher Arms range fee is $13.99 for an hour. The cost to rent a
gun is $30 for a handgun or $40 for a rifle. No one under 12 years old
is allowed on the premises, and kids between the age of 12 and 17 must
have an adult with them at all times. Individuals, groups and
bachelor/bachelorette parties are welcome, but sobriety is a must.

"There is absolutely no shooting if there's partying first," says
Llanas. "It's a rule for their safety and for everyone else's. That
said, everyone's invited to come out and have a good time."

During my lesson, Llanas modeled for me how to pick up a gun with three
different weapons, and then it was my turn to try. Also, he showed me
how to load the guns. "Just drop ‘em in like you're loading a Pez
dispenser," he said.

Finally, he taught me how to shoot.

Posture is one of the most important aspects of shooting stance. A
straight back with the knees slightly bent and your weight on the balls
of your feet that are a shoulder-width apart is crucial. Knowing whether
you are right- or left-eye dominant is important, too. I learned I was
left-eye dominant.

We also talked about breathing, and Llanas said to take a deep inhale
and exhale prior to pulling the trigger. He likened the deep breath to
one that is usually associated with yoga or meditation. I found it
interesting that yoga, meditation and firing a gun could have something
in common. My strict anti-gun upbringing had made me suspicious, fearful
and yet curious about guns. However, during my time with Llanas, I felt
my perspective on shooting –– safe shooting for sport –– changing and
expanding.

Llanas also spoke of the importance of intuition. He said that it's a
key aspect to good shooting and that, in his experience, women have more
intuition than men which, at times, makes them better at the sport.

"The fellas generally look for external results, like how well they are
shooting, before they change something in their stance. The ladies,
however, get more of a ‘feel' for how they should stand to shoot and
what they should do and they just do it," he says.

While receiving the lesson from Llanas, I heard lots of booms and bangs
and pops and kabooms from beyond the bullet-proof glass. At first it
made me a bit nervous, then just a little agitated and finally, I
stopped hearing it altogether. By the time we were finished with the
lengthy off-range lesson, I wasn't the least bit unnerved; I just wanted
to start shooting.

I went to the counter and got eye protection, ear plugs and a paper
target. The employee behind the desk asked me if I would prefer to shoot
at a bulls eye or a person. I chose a bulls eye. Then, I met Llanas in
the range area. He clipped my target to a pulley which he then sent
about 100 feet away from us, into a huge enclosed space.

The indoor range has a ventilation system that removes debris and smoke
from the air, but it is still a little hazy. A cascading water system
washes the pieces of shrapnel into a trap. I was surprised by the little
bits of warm shell that flew back at me after I shot.

I shot with two guns, a .22 and a .38, and I definitely got better the
more I shot. One of my bullets struck just below the bulls eye, which I
was quite proud of.

I felt very comfortable shooting, due to Llanas' clear command of the
sport. Friends later asked if I felt a sense of "power" while shooting
and, to an extent, I did. There is something very satisfying about
aiming, shooting and striking. It gives one a sense of control.

Shooting a gun, when done in a safe, controlled environment, is fun. The
sport takes an extreme amount of concentration and confidence.
Admittedly, the underlying sense of danger adds to the rush.

Did my anti-gun upbringing affect my opinion of shooting a gun? No.
However, living in an urban environment where gun-related homicides
occasionally take place, I did struggle with my desire to "play with
guns" prior to my lesson at Fletcher Arms. But despite some conflicting
personal philosophies, I can honestly report that I enjoyed my lesson
and the exhilaration of target shooting.

I wouldn't say I am a natural shot, but I wasn't terrible, either. And the best part of all was that I didn't shoot an eye out.