Adventure #2- "I have a lot of fingers"

While the idea is for the planner of each adventure to keep the details a secret up until the last moment, somehow this time around we all knew what was planned, and I think it's safe to say we were all STOKED!!!  Adventure #2 was to involve each of us shooting live ammo from REAL handguns!!!  In other words, today we transformed from Fearless Femmes to  "Bad-Ass Bitches," as Alli so bluntly described it. 




The Fearless Femmes dominate the shooting range!

We met at Amy's condo for instructions on safe handling and correct shooting of firearms.  Her cousin Duke, a Johnson County police officer, graciously offered to be our brave and patient instructor for the day.  We started with the basics . . . "this piece is called the barrel . . . the slide . . . the grip . . . the muzzle," and learned how all these pieces fit together to form a deadly weapon.  That's right, a DEADLY WEAPON!!!  I was completely caught off guard by the instantly sweaty nature of my palms from the moment that black metal object came into view.  This adventure was going to be more nerve-wracking than I had prepared myself for.  Meghan must have been feeling a similar anxiety as she said, "Why is this making me more nervous than flying down a mountain did?!?!"

Duke, our awesome instructor!

As none of the six of us had ever handled or fired a pistol before, we spent sufficient time going over proper hand positioning (keeping our grip "tight on the tang," our awkward thumbs in check, our finger ALWAYS OFF THE TRIGGER until ready to shoot) and body posturing (arms straight, elbows locked, knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart).  Then we each took turns loading and unloading the (empty) magazine, and practiced our aim by lining up the front and rear sights.  Who knew there was so much to think about???  The officers on my favorite TV shows, "CSI" and "Criminal Minds," make it look so easy and thoughtless . . . I guess watching these shows must make real cops feel similar to how "Grey's Anatomy" makes us real medical professionals feel. 




Duke showing us the ropes (Teddy wanted a turn!)

After we were deemed "ready," we made our way to Crossfire Recreational Center in Independence, MO.  The front "lobby" I suppose you would call it was just as I expected . . . glass cases full of firearms, framed photo of George W. Bush behind the counter, "iPack" T-shirts available for purchase, and a blue-eyeshadowed, middle-aged woman running the show.   The facility and location (Independence) were an "out-of-our-comfort-zones" experience all on their own!  Duke, being the only one who's spent any time in such venues, said that comparatively, Crossfire was actually a pretty nice facility.  I couldn't argue; everyone was friendly, prices were reasonable and they seemed to have a smooth operation going.




Lobby sign- made of bullet casings

Anyway, after signing our lives away completing a minimal amount of paperwork, we donned ear and eye protection and ventured from the relatively safe confines of the lobby into the shooting range . . . <dun dun dun>.  The loud blast of gunfire had us all a little jumpy, and when I realized that the bullet casings literally fly out of the chamber after discharge, any amount of bravery I had left suddenly abandoned me.  Duke went first, showing us how it's done, and then  . . . it was my turn! 




Our expert guide getting after some paper bad guys!

I approached the ledge, systematically went through every step of the process in my head, and then slowly . . . very slowly . . . eventually . . . pulled the trigger, and what do you know?  I hit the target!  Not the bullseye, just the target . . . and I couldn't have felt more accomplished!  In that moment, all hesitancies and doubts were swept away like the plethora of casings scattered on the floor.  I kind of liked this.  In fact, we all did! 




A pile of bullet casings that were constantly being swept up by employees.  You wouldn't believe the amount!



Duke supervising- what a brave and generous guy

As each of us "stepped up to the plate," took aim and fired, it quickly became obvious that we were all pretty damn good too!  If I recall correctly, Alli was the first to hit the bullseye dead on, but we all had multiple shots within the small circle surrounding the "X".  However, Lisa preferred to aim for the head . . . I wouldn't mess with her if I were you!

We each took several turns, varying the distance to our target, and trying out two different types of guns.  Three or four rounds in, we all started feeling our biceps tightening . . . does this count as a workout?  :)  After an hour and a half or so of shooting (and sufficient photo-ops, of course) we called this adventure "a success" and retreated to familiar territory for lunch at Coach's. 

From this adventure we gained not only a potential "once in a lifetime experience," but also a boost in confidence.  It's amazing how invincible and in control you feel when you approach such an intimidating and powerful force and take command of it.  Firearms have long been an unfamiliar and scary concept for many of us.  Today we not only faced that fear, we dominated it!  (Disclaimer: by no means am I trying to suggest that we feel we are properly prepared to carry concealed after one abbreviated lesson, but I would say it's a future possibility for some of us!)




Lisa- couldn't believe how comfortable and at ease this sweet lady was with handling the gun right from the very first moment



Meghan- probably maintained the best shooting posture, and one of the most consistently accurate shooters!



Amy- "the ballerina," preferred to stand in ballet's third position than per our instructions :)



Jessi- "You look good with a gun in your hands!"  Enough said.



Destiny- not afraid to get her hands dirty (i.e. the only one strong enough to fully load the magazine)



Alli- great aim from the get go, and the most likely to return to the range.  You can call her Dirty Harry!

Unfortunately, two of our Femmes were unable to join us on this adventure.  Meagan was celebrating her grandmother's 85th birthday, and Brandi . . . well . . . wasn't allowed . . .

That's right, there's going to be a Fearless Baby Femme joining us in June!!!  Congrats to Brandi and Jon!  We love you B. Lew!