Column: DI writer pairs with ‘Illini on Target’ at shooting range to learn about gunfire

By Colleen Loggins

I had so much fun writing this article because I have always wanted to go target shooting. When this story presented itself, I knew that I had to be the one to do it. The whole experience was a lot of fun, and I really hope that I can do it again sometime.

One of the more amusing incidents of the evening was when we first got inside the actual shooting range and one of the men there was shooting with the biggest gun I had ever seen! It made such a loud noise that every time it went off, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look, including the experienced club members. The first time it went off, I decided I wanted ear plugs plus the protective head phones I was already wearing. I went out to put both on, and one of the guys in the club asked if I was getting too jumpy. Me? Of course not! I think I proved to him once I started shooting that I was fine handling a firearm, and this is the story that resulted from it!