1 - First time firing guns in my life, Nowata, OK

Title:
1 - First time firing guns in my life, Nowata, OK

Description:
These are videos of shooting guns for the very first time in my life. I had never touched a gun before and I had always wanted to experience shooting guns. I was in OK recently for a project. Then I heard about their ad in a local TV channel. I went to Nowata Firearms (http://nowatafirearms.com). I was kind of scared and nervous since guns had been associated with negative news, from where I came from. On the top of that I have a darker skin and have an accent; and all the things going on currently in the media and in the country, I was a little bit nervous in approaching a place asking to show me AK-47. Anyway I went there. This place was located in a little bit remote area (i.e. not in a middle of a city). I had also found another place for shooting guns in a city environment (Tulsa, OK). But, I wanted to go to a place that is less commercialized in order to get authentic experience. I am so glad that I went to this place. People were so friendly, nice and patient with me. They not only know how to shoot guns, they also know about history of gun-use in this part of the country. All of them own several of guns and they have been using for a long time. They were very enthusiastic in answering my question about the firearms, the culture and tradition of owning firearms, background about almost each and every gun. Initially, I had planned to go there for one time only - just to shoot AK-47 and M-16. But once I met them and talked to them, I never stopped going there. When the owner showed me so many guns and told me about the guns, - I realized that this is the place want to explore. As a matter of fact, this is only the experience I have worth mentioning and repeating (and bragging) among the various places I have visited for last four years on the course of my projects. I never stopped going there as long as I was in the town during the weekends. They have so many guns, you wouldn't imagine: revolver, pistol, AK-47, M-16, 50 caliber sniper rifle. And they have such a long shooting range. I had never seen so many kinds of guns at one place. One of the important thing was they also guided on which gun to start shooting with. When I went there for the very first time, I was thinking just to shoot AK-47 and M-16 and will get done with it. But once I went and talked to them, I didn't stop going there. It is a family owned business. Both husband and wife works there. The most impressive thing I saw was, their employee: they work like a family and all of them seem to have grew up in a heritage of firearms. They didn't seem to learn to teach me about firearms by reading a training guide, rather they really have been using firearms for a long time. If any of you are planning to visit OK, try to visit this place. It may also give you some insight on why some people have a different view on gun-control law or on 2nd amendment. Where I am from, gun is usually found to be associated with crime (at least in media, as far as I know). But, if you come here (in this place, particular), you may get a first had look that nice people also own firearms. You may learn that firearms are part of a heritage and tradition and it is same as owning a sword or blade in certain culture. I saw people from various age, sex and background in that place. All of them seemed nice people. Owner and employees of this place were very polite and and made me comfortable. It was really a new and unforgettable experience for me. When I came to this place, I was thinking that I was going to just shoot AK-47 and M-16 rifles, but I experienced more than just shooting guns. Please note that this is not a fancy place (I have never been to any other place), but they are very friendly and knowledgeable in what they are doing. This is a family-owned business. I also felt good by being able to contribute to the local and family owned business. I took these videos during the month of Oct and Nov '08. I wish I had know about this place a little sooner. Please feel free to email me if you are planning to visit to Tulsa, OK or the vicinity and need more info. Please note that they are not opened everyday. You may also check their website for further info. I believe during this time (actually all of the time), we should also support locally owned/non franchised business.

Author:
pradipthanju

Tags:
Shooting range, guns, OK, Tulsa, Bartlesville, family owned business, AK-47, M-16 Fire arms, Travel to Oklahoma, Nowata, an exciting experience,