I have a sort of tenuous relationship with my father. A religious dispute (IE- he wouldn't let me practice my faith, Catholicism) lead us to become semi-estranged. That is, I don't visit him as much as I used to. Otherwise there really isn't too much bad-blood between us, apart from my parents mutual dislike, and the drama that goes along with that.

 

Well, I've been talking to my dad lately, and mentioned I'd come and visit him once my semester is over, which is next week. We got to talking, and I mentioned taking him to a range. He is a supporter of RKBA, but is otherwise afraid of guns. The irony in this situation is that, as I see it, most shooters are taken out by their father for their first time, not the son taking the father.

 

It isn't set in stone, but when I join R14, I may take him up to shoot a gun for the first time, at age 55. I know he toyed with the idea of getting a firearm at one point, but was too confused by NJ law, and didn't think he needed one that badly. I figure I'll cut his teeth with my .22, then have him try out the VZ24, then have him shoot my AR, which by then I will have completed. I know he's interested in the VZ since, like me, he's a history buff, and the rifle dates to WWII (Not sure if it saw combat, likely it didn't), but like me, he's drawn to the idea of experiencing something like that first hand. I'm pretty excited by it, and think it may help ease some of the tension between us.

 

I ask you guys what I should do to ensure he has a good time. Furthermore, I was wondering if anyone else was in this position, where they took their parents out shooting for the first time.

Basically was in the same boat. Im pretty certain my dad fired a .22 before (at the most!) but was NEVER into shooting and never owned a firearm untill I started getting my own

 

He did support me before I was 18 though. He went out and got his FID when I was 16 and bought "himself" a mosin when I had expressed years of extreme interest in firearms, and his (now mine as well) buddy talked him into it.

 

Look at what he started

Glad you are going to spend time with your dad.

 

The only suggestion I would make and it is just in case you have not thought about this angle , maybe just bring the longuns 1st trip that way you can also go for something to eat or go visit with him for a while. Hopefully you will have a 2nd trip , bring the handgun , and explain to him ahead of time why you have to go straight home with the handgun. Or , bring the handgun but invite him back to your place either before or after the range .

 

I know "reasonable deviation" has some various interpretations by people . I was just bringing it up in case you are very strict about being on the safe side and forgot you are suppose to go right home lol It has slipped my mind momentarily a time or two ..finish up a class or a range session with friends then say " hey who wants to go for a burger and a beer" ...then you have that " oh" moment when you remember you must drop of your handguns first.

Basically was in the same boat. Im pretty certain my dad fired a .22 before (at the most!) but was NEVER into shooting and never owned a firearm untill I started getting my own

 

He did support me before I was 18 though. He went out and got his FID when I was 16 and bought "himself" a mosin when I had expressed years of extreme interest in firearms, and his (now mine as well) buddy talked him into it.

 

Look at what he started

 

He actually is a big reason I'm into airsoft. I wanted to join the military, and thought it would help if I had some experience with guns and such. Of course, my mother HATES anything gun-related. Being divorced, he let me buy an airsoft gun....On the condition I kept it at my mother's house. But he's known about my love of guns for a long time. I have a toy daisy lever gun that makes noise when the trigger is pulled. Doesn't shoot anything though. If the story is correct, his father bought me that because he originally wanted to give me a .22, or BB gun at least, but with no one in the family having an FID (other than my bro-in law, I'm the first) he couldn't get it.

Glad you are going to spend time with your dad.

 

The only suggestion I would make and it is just in case you have not thought about this angle , maybe just bring the longuns 1st trip that way you can also go for something to eat or go visit with him for a while. Hopefully you will have a 2nd trip , bring the handgun , and explain to him ahead of time why you have to go straight home with the handgun. Or , bring the handgun but invite him back to your place either before or after the range .

 

I know "reasonable deviation" has some various interpretations by people . I was just bringing it up in case you are very strict about being on the safe side and forgot you are suppose to go right home lol It has slipped my mind momentarily a time or two ..finish up a class or a range session with friends then say " hey who wants to go for a burger and a beer" ...then you have that " oh" moment when you remember you must drop of your handguns first.

 

I don't own any handguns. I'm only 20. My .22 is a bolt action rifle. I'm not into handguns very much. However, this post is VERY informative. I thought the reasonable deviation applied to ALL firearms, including longguns. This will greatly ease the logistics of the trip. If you're thinking the VZ24 is a handgun, it's basically a Czech Mauser K98.

 

Still, Thanks Mrs. Pete, since you taught me something I didn't know, which has made going to the range more difficult for me up until now.

That's really nice of you. I think violent video games & movies have soured the layman's view of firearms. Cheers.

Reactive targets spice things up a bit. Bring some milk jogs or gatorade jugs filled with water and food coloring. An exploding container is more fun than small holes in paper. Speaking of small holes, you may want to bring some optics like a spotting scope, or scope one of your rifles. Older eyes often have problems with 22 caliber holes at 25 yards, much less 50 or 100.

I do know know if there are any weird twists to it since you are under 21 ..I doubt it but this is NJ . I never checked that aspect since I am 21 times 2 lol

 

Read vladtepes summary of the laws here , in case you did not know about this awesom sticky Scroll down to the "Transport" section

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/29389-nj-law-summary-read-first-nj-gun-law-faqs/

Reactive targets spice things up a bit. Bring some milk jogs or gatorade jugs filled with water and food coloring. An exploding container is more fun than small holes in paper. Speaking of small holes, you may want to bring some optics like a spotting scope, or scope one of your rifles. Older eyes often have problems with 22 caliber holes at 25 yards, much less 50 or 100.

 

Good point, though his eyes are better than mine. Without glasses, or contacts, my vision is 20/400, and I'm colorblind XD.

 

I may bring some binoculars. I have a few .22 scopes lying around somewhere, but I don't have a rail to mount them on the MKII. Most of my extra cash is going towards my AR build, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the mount for that any time soon. (Still need lower, magazine, and buffer assembly, muzzle device, and sights for AR).

 

Although it will sound crazy... I may have a rail on an airsoft gun that is compatible with the .22. I'll have to try it out. Have a Leapers, and is actually a much greater magnification than one would need for airsoft, so it might work. Not sure if the rail will fit, but I'll try it.

 

As for reactive targets, are they allowed on R14?

Kaiser,

 

My Dad introduced us to firearms. I think that it's great that you get to reverse roles. Don't be afraid to insist that you both follow all of the needed safety procedures, and by that I mean to say please don't be afraid of letting him know what the rules are prior to going to the range, so this way there isn't any problems with regard to safety issues. You have more experience in this area, so be very polite, but firm. I think that you'll both do fine and have a great time.

 

Make sure that you bring adequate hearing protection, especially if you go to an indoor range. Use larger targets with huge bulls so Dad can get some X's. Shoot-N-C's work well too.

 

As far as the reasonable deviation rule--you have to way the risks. I know plenty of folks who eat after a Match! With long guns, you can literally drive around with them in your trunk from one month to the next, as the deviation rule doesn't apply--Sandy is correct!

 

Enjoy the time you have left with your Dad, and be grateful for the opportunity. My Dad died when I was only 23 (at 56 years young). The times we spent shooting are my fondest memories......

 

Dave

Kaiser,

 

My Dad introduced us to firearms. I think that it's great that you get to reverse roles. Don't be afraid to insist that you both follow all of the needed safety procedures, and by that I mean to say please don't be afraid of letting him know what the rules are prior to going to the range, so this way there isn't any problems with regard to safety issues. You have more experience in this area, so be very polite, but firm. I think that you'll both do fine and have a great time.

 

Make sure that you bring adequate hearing protection, especially if you go to an indoor range. Use larger targets with huge bulls so Dad can get some X's. Shoot-N-C's work well too.

 

As far as the reasonable deviation rule--you have to way the risks. I know plenty of folks who eat after a Match! With long guns, you can literally drive around with them in your trunk from one month to the next, as the deviation rule doesn't apply--Sandy is correct!

 

Enjoy the time you have left with your Dad, and be grateful for the opportunity. My Dad died when I was only 23 (at 56 years young). The times we spent shooting are my fondest memories......

 

Dave

 

Planning on R14, since they're cheap, not too far, and have airsoft there. He's pretty smart with safety stuff. I know, famous last words, but he's actually the VERY OVERLY EXTREMELY cautious type. I don't think I remember him taking a risk in my life. He'll be pretty good following safety instructions, which I've picked up from my range trips/airsoft. I'm mainly a long-gun guy, so that's good to hear. I probably should pick up some over the ear hearing protection since I usually shoot with just the earbuds.

 

But yeah, I have dreams where he died, and I always worry that I'm not going to really spend as much time with him. My parents have been divorced since I was 2, and my mom can't stand my dad (knowing the reasons, you wouldn't blame her, her lawyer quit his career afterwards the case was so brutal). She sort of made it a Him-or-Me situation, and he would aggravate it. But I don't want to have that regret.

Sounds like you got it covered! Have a good time!

Hit the bargain aisle at your local grocery store and grab a few flats of cheapo store-brand soda cans. Those things EXPLODE and are great fun to shoot. Just remember to bring a garbage bag and clean up your mess

Good luck with your dad, wish I could bring mine to the range. He's no longer with us. But, I am old school. The first time my dad took me to the range, we only had to walk down to the basement, where he had set up an indoor range. Not sure if you could get away with that these days.

Wouldn't discuss Religion.......how's that for a good time ?