Chapter 159
"Hey, what's the verdict? Are you coming Dylan?" Grace asked as she headed out of the house, running into Regan and Dylan returning from their ride.
"No, I'd be a liability. I've never wished I knew how to ride more than I do right now." Dylan said glumly. "I'm going to have to learn regardless. It's time for me to become a competent rider."
"Where are you headed off to?" Regan asked.
"I'm actually going to Drovers. Jodi said I could come by. I was thinking it would be a good idea to do some target practice before this ride. We may run into dingos, wild dogs, or criminals, and I want to be more comfortable handling a rifle if I need to. It's been awhile for me," Grace admitted.
"That's a good idea. I'll come with you and run through things with both of you. I'll show Jaz and your cousins too." Dylan said.
"Jaz can't come. I already asked her. She loaded up her work schedule today to be able to come for the next three. She's flat out," responded Grace.
"Okay, well I'm in. I would have counted on Dylan to handle the firearms, but I would prefer to be more comfortable. I've fired guns a few times, but it's been a while for me too. I don't see much need at my job in Canberra. If we suspect trouble at a mine inspection, we just call the AFP for an escort, not arm ourselves."
Dylan led a firearms training session at Drovers with Regan, Grace, Jodi, Tess and Charlotte.
"Guns make me nervous." Charlotte confessed "I've never shot one."
"I would say that makes it even more important that you do this training with us then. If you understand how they work and how to handle them safely, then you are far less likely to ever have an accident with a gun," Dylan countered. "Knowing how to use one doesn't mean you have to start shooting all the time. You never know what type of situation you may find yourself in, and knowing how to safely handle a firearm could be important. It's a necessary tool for farmers, so you might as well learn."
"Okay. that makes sense, but I hope I never have to use one," said Charlotte
"I'm pretty comfortable with guns, I've done some hunting with Matt, and I've taken safety classes before, but it never hurts to review and practice," said Jodi. "You never know when your life might depend on it."
"You know I hate guns, I don't hunt, I don't like them at all, but if we are going to where dingos or dogs could attack us or the horses, then I agree it's probably a good idea. Claire did run through firearms with me a long time ago, but you're right, it's a good idea to review," said Tess, agreeing to the firearms training. "I know how to handle a gun safely, but I only use one when it's absolutely necessary."
"Okay Charlotte. Your turn. Walk me through the parts of the rifle and then I want you to load, aim it and then unload. Don't shoot yet. Go," said Dylan.
"Okay we have the butt and stock, then the trigger guard and the trigger. The safety is right here. The bolt handle is above the trigger right here, then we have the magazine and the chamber, this is where the bullet is when the gun is loaded. Then I have the sight which is how I aim, and the barrel and the muzzle." Claire then took a bullet, put it into the chamber, pointed it at the target down range looking down the sight. "Okay now I'm going to unload the weapon." Charlotte released a deep breath as she finished.
"Very good Charlotte. What else do we need to remember when around firearms?" asked Dylan.
"We always assume a weapon is loaded unless we have checked it ourselves. We never point a weapon at something we are not willing to shoot. You don't put your finger on the trigger until you have your target in sight and have made the decision to shoot it. And finally be sure of your target and what might be behind it."
"Okay good. Now I am going to have you reload the weapon, sight your target, remove the safety, put your finger on the trigger and then squeeze the trigger, and shoot the weapon downrange at the target. Do each step carefully, and don't think past the step you are on," advised Dylan.
Charlotte carefully loaded the rifle. "Range is hot!" She yelled once the bullet was in the chamber and she brought the weapon to shooting position. She sighted her target and timidly removed the safety. She pulled her finger on the trigger and squeezed. The gun went off, but she missed the target. "Ugh, I missed it completely," said Charlotte, feeling disappointed.
"Yes, but you handled the weapon safely, which is the most important thing. We will run it again until you are all able to shoot safely and accurately."
"Jodi, I had no idea you were such a good shot." Grace exclaimed as the girls enjoyed a beer together after the training.
"Well, having been shot at, I decided it would help me deal with that trauma by taking control back and really getting comfortable with firearms. I've spent some time practicing, plus someone has to hold the licenses for all of these rifles, so I have to recertify regularly, and that requires range shooting," Jodi answered.
"Well, I do feel more comfortable now. I'm glad I did that, but I still hope I never ever have to use the rifle," Charlotte admitted. "Firearms still freak me out."
"I'm with you. I don't like guns at all, but I accept them as a necessary tool as a farmer," said Tess.
"Well, here's to hopefully never needing to use these skills," said Regan as she put her beer up as a toast.
"I think we can all drink to that," replied Tess.