A phobia represents an intense and often irrational fear directed toward a specific object or situation. You might recognize your dislike for firearms as a form of phobia. Perhaps you attribute your unease to a lack of knowledge regarding guns, with much of your perception shaped by movie portrayals or media coverage of mass shootings.
Alternatively, personal experiences may have subtly influenced how you view firearms, potentially leading you to see them as terrifying and fundamentally malevolent, which only heightens your anxiety around them.
Regardless of the source of your phobia, the positive news is that it is manageable. If you’ve made the decision to become more comfortable with firearms, consider the following strategies to help alleviate your gun-related fears.
1. Engage with Gun Owners
Anxiety can often isolate us, creating a false idea that our feelings are unique to ourselves. However, initiating conversations with gun owners can reveal that your fear is a common experience many people share.
Those who are comfortable around firearms often had their own moments of apprehension in the past. Learning from gun owners’ stories can provide reassurance and inspire confidence that you too can overcome your fears, much like they did.
2. Choose the Right Instructor
Your choice of a firearms instructor can be instrumental in your journey to overcoming gun-related anxiety. Take the time to research and assess the shooting instructors available at local ranges.
Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues to find an instructor they trust. Understanding their reasons for recommending someone can help ensure that those aspects align with your learning preferences.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options to just two or three instructors, consider attending a class at the Bellevue Gun Club as an observer. This experience allows you to gauge the instructor’s rapport with students and evaluate whether their teaching style suits your needs.
3. Book a One-on-One Lesson
Your phobia around guns might feel daunting, especially when you see others handling firearms with ease at the shooting range. If you’re nervous about being observed, scheduling a private lesson can offer you the space and confidentiality you may need to ask questions and learn comfortably at your own pace.
Starting with one or two individual lessons will enable you to cover the essentials of marksmanship. After these initial sessions, you can decide if group classes suit you better or if you’d rather continue with private lessons. Keep in mind that personal classes may be more expensive, so you’ll want to balance your budget with the level of individualized attention you receive.
4. Bring a Supportive Friend
If it’s your first time at a shooting range or handling a firearm, the environment may feel unfamiliar and intimidating. Having a close friend or family member accompany you, especially during the first few lessons, can provide much-needed comfort.
A friend, sibling, or parent can help alleviate your anxiety and allow you to be vulnerable without fear of judgment. You’ll want someone who can share a laugh about any awkward moments, support you in problem-solving, and encourage you throughout the experience.
5. Practice in a Low-Pressure Environment
There are various methods to practice handling a gun without actually firing it. For example, using a laser grip can help you enhance your aim by allowing you to point an unloaded gun at a target and activate the laser to see how accurately you align. Engaging in dry firing drills can help you become familiar with the trigger pull without the stress of noise or the risk of mistakes.
By creating a less intense environment for your practice sessions, you contribute to a more welcoming atmosphere that fosters muscle memory development.
By following these suggestions, you’ll likely discover that many of your apprehensions surrounding firearms are unfounded and easily addressable. And if you’re considering acquiring your own firearm, starting with an 80% lower receiver could be a viable choice.
