#28 Dirty Harry

I have what you call a healthy fear of firearms. I don't think I've ever seen a handgun up close and I know I've never held one. A good friend of mine who grew up hunting and whose respect for safety and responsibility I completely trust, took me to an indoor firing range called The Shooters Shop in West Allis. I was looking forward to going but definitely nervous. Dave owns a .44 Magnum, a gun that packs a pretty big wallop. He went over some instruction and took the first couple of shots. Even through protective ear ware the sound was crazy loud. It was my turn. My heart was pounding as I held the gun and I immediately noticed it was a lot heavier than I expected. Trying to get the target lined up in the crosshairs as your hands are shaking is also quite a challenge. As I pulled the trigger I can only imagine how I looked all tensed up and wincing and then bam, I shot a handgun for the first time. Wow. Incredibly powerful. After a couple more shots the jitters wore away a little and then I have to say it was pretty fun and I'm glad I gave it a shot.