"If we do not face our fears, they will rule us forever."
~ Cheryl Schindler
A few years back, my wife Cheryl contacted a local organization that helped older foster children get adopted, about helping their youngsters overcome their fear of guns. You can imagine the initial resistance as the only experiences the social workers and youngsters had about guns was 100% negative. We’d all have that view if all we’d been exposed to were gang activities, family members or friends bleeding from gunshot wounds or worse…dead. One of their youngsters had a friend die in her arms after being shot.
With a big fundraiser coming up in Greenville, SC, we invited the Director to attend the event so she could meet about 200 shooters who were raising money for abused and neglected children ages 1 to 5. She got to see first-hand the kindness and goodwill coming from those in our sport.
"After shaking hands and enjoying the camaraderie,
she began to understand how our world with guns, was completely different from hers."
That evening led to one of the most gratifying and rewarding days of our lives – for the youths and their counselors who volunteered to attend – and for us.
A gentleman in Asheville NC, whom we hold in very high regard, graciously offered to open his private 5-Stand clays course for this private event. Together, we arranged the right atmosphere for our upcoming guests. God Bless you, Mr. Smith.
Arriving at the camp, greeted by smiles and a little trepidation, we learned a little background on some of the youths we would be working with later that day.
Legs crossed, I sat on the floor in front of my group. As the youngsters sat down around me, I assured everyone that they would be perfectly safe during our time together and that holding the firearm and shooting was totally voluntary. Those who know me well know that I wear my emotions on my sleeve. My heart was beating faster as I could see the apprehension in their faces, both young and older. Everyone was looking to me for reassurance. Could I be trusted? Exchanging glances with each other, each individual was silently asking, will I be OK if I go with this stranger – and shoot guns?
Maybe it was because kids had always gravitated towards me that the tension eased and their questions flowed. It was easy for me to act and respond to them on their level. Smiles and laughter erupted after my corny jokes. Fragile as it was, some trust had been established. So the stage was set. Amid hushed voices, off we all went – a caravan of anticipation and uncertainties.
Arriving at our beautiful country location, I spoke to our group of counselors and youths to make sure everyone knew, handling the gun was not required. It was perfectly fine if anyone just wanted to watch.
With three, 10-foot logs set on the ground to form a shooting box, we faced a distant trap machine well up on the hill. This easily seen target took its time approaching us until it lost momentum and floated in the sky above us about 20 yards in front of the youth model 20 gauge autoloader. The adult standing on the other side of the box had the trap controller. I was handling the gun and low recoil ammunition.
Those who wanted to shoot, I’d asked them to please form a line behind me. With 3 or 4 standing further back and off to the side, the other 8 had already done so, a mixture of facial expressions I will never forget – hope and reluctance vacillating back and forth. But there they stood on common ground, scared but determined, ready to face whatever lay ahead – my heart beating very fast again – the pride runneth over. Then – and now as I type these words.
One by one, ages ranging from maybe 11 to 16, they each stepped up to hold and fire the gun. And did they ever. Targets were exploding, followed by thunderous cheers and applause. On deck was a young lady, her brother behind her gently nudging her forward. Emerging from a host of other difficulties, she’d been a witness to a homicide. As the shooter beside me in the box stepped back, she stepped forward very tentatively. I reminded her she did not have to shoot. I could feel her brother tightly behind us, whispering encouragement. She took the gun. To prepare her for the sound and recoil, I helped her fire one shell from her hip safely into the distant hill in front of us. Following a few very basic “point and shoot” instructions, she broke her first 3 targets, as did her brother and 2 more after him. The line of shooters behind me was growing longer.
My next shooter had been waiting patiently at the back of the line. I don’t know how else to say this so I’ll just say it: this young man looked anorexic and broken. He appeared to have been physically beaten, repeatedly. He was 16-years old and very, very thin for his height. Trembling slightly, he cautiously stepped into the box, looked down and whispered to me, “I can’t do this.” He kept repeating those words. He was not, however, backing up. Scouts honor, I’m telling you, I sensed a force of determination rising within him. His head came up and his eyes were telling me, THIS time, I win. Glancing across at the man holding the controller, he’d seen it too. Holding back tears, he turned and looked up the hill. I hoped no one could see my face.
A moment of peace had come into the box. I offered that maybe we could do this together? I would shoot first and then he could decide. I placed him close behind me so he could watch over my shoulder. Bang. X. I glanced back and caught a smile. We reversed positions. Gun up to the shoulder, we got the comb and his cheek together. When I knew he was ready, standing close, I closed the action. Please Lord, just this 1 time, OK? Bang. X. Cheers and applause. From those behind us too. Twice more – same results. When I eased the gun from his hands, he turned and hugged me. As the next shooter stepped forward I glanced over my left shoulder and watched our victor step back into the line.
And you thought this was all about shooting.
After the picnic, as our time together was coming to a close, the group formed their customary circle and we all held hands. Each person with the “talking stick” was asked to share what he or she was grateful for that day. We were overwhelmed by their words. Quiet voices – enlightened comments. The 16-year old brother said he wanted to become a police officer and today was the day he knew he’d made the right decision. His 14-year old sister who had shaken like a leaf in a windstorm said her fear of guns was finally fading. The young man who said he couldn’t do this held his head up and said,
“Today, I learned I can believe in myself.”
In a few short hours, we learned that we can change lives for the better, including our own. For all of us who enjoy the shooting sports, consider that we have an obligation to ourselves, and others, to educate people who are unfamiliar with the positive benefits of guns. Imagine how much better our world would be if we invited a few people – who have no idea what shooting clays or hunting is really about – to join us for a few hours so they can experience the life we know?
Be safe and I hope to see you out on the course.
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Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses and make their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!
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