What do you say to this?

[legaleagle]

FWIW - i had a girlfriend in college that was really pissed at me when i bought a handgun. She had not interest in shooting. I did not push it. I would go shoot (1-2x) and then she was around when I cleaned it. Just before she was sure that the relationship was over, I asked her to pick up the parts while the gun was in pieces. She picked up the parts and quickly started asking how it worked. Slide off frame and barrel in slide she began to see the mechanism. Another time or two she commented that the gun was merely a tool and realized that if the operator pulled the trigger it would fire, and if not then it would not just fire by itself. THE LESSON - EDUCATION. SHe learned not to be scared because she understood the mechanism. This is not different that learning to drive or doing anything for the first time - take it slow and easy, don't push or she will resist.

The following weekend, we went to the range, found a quite place with just hte the two of us. I did not want others around as she would be nervous and ditracted. I wanted her to focus on what we were doing. She shot the gun and promptly went though 200+ rounds with a perma grin on her face. To this day, she does not hunt and does not want. SHe is ok with hunting as she understands where meat comes from. (Once met a woman in the grocery store that shought meat come from the store, she had no idea it was from a cow and was equally appauled and crying when she learned that lactating cows produce milk - uneducated)

Moral of the story - education is everything, but some people wil learn and not like what they learn, while others will ike it. Needless to say, I married the college girlfriend and over twenty years later she still pushed me out of the way to get to the firing line first.

Whether your girl will shoot or not is not the issue. If she is willing to learn and respect your choices that it was matters. Don't push her to do it. And for god sake if she does don't be an ass and get her behind a 12 gauge or a hand cannon. Seriously go with the 22lr if you can. Also, use a handgun that fits her so the recoil travels into her wrist and forearm correctly and does not bend her wrist to the side. Remember, her first ecperience will dictate the learning curve and if it hurts or is painful, she will continue or develop a negative image. My wife started with the 22lr pistol and now she shoots a 12 gauge and 44 mag. Oh, she is 120 lbs and 5'4" too.

Good luck, let us know how she does.

[Graves]

Why don't you figure out if she has any "hidden talents" before you go and make any rash decisions.

[sniper7]

If you like her at least try to educate her and give her a chance to learn what it is about. My wife wasn't around hunting or shooting at all and now goes with me and hates libtards and illegals! You just have to show them the light

[Mazin]

I agree with legaleagle about starting a female out on a 22 then move up. Started my wife on a p22 and it gave her the shooting bug ever since. Also dont be the big tough guy when training a girl! Speak soft and be calm! She will learn better and you will earn brownie pointss for it.

[djjames]

Honestly I probably wouldn't do anything yet. If it's only a week into the relationship then throw the hunting conversation on the back burner. She's not questioning the guns/shooting part of it as much as the hunting itself, right?

If she can't understand why you even want to shoot something then someone suggested above cleaning your gun in front of her and having her hand you parts of it and see what happens. That's an incredible idea and I think that would work wonders.

Right now it's just too damn early to give a second thought to it IMHO.

My wife told me she wanted to go hunting with me this year...she then told me she's be crying the whole time she squeezed the trigger. We've decided...maybe next year.