Nothing foreign about shooting a gun

Having very strict gun rules in her native country of Norway, Ida-Celine Ribe had never held a gun before, let alone fired one, until recently. "It’s not common seeing people having guns back home unless they are hunting, said Ribe, a Minneota exchange student from Norway.

"They have a lot of rules on guns; they all have to be locked up when you aren't hunting." So she decided to experience what it would be like shooting a gun by joining the Minneota Clay Target team. After a safety course and training process, it was time for Ribe to finally take her first-ever gunshot at a moving target.

After calling "pull", the orange clay sphere flung toward the sky and Ribe took aim on her target. Admittedly nervous and apprehensive, Ribe pulled the trigger. "Surprisingly, I hit the clay target on my very first shot," she said. "I had no idea what I was doing, and I don't know how I actually hit the target."

Ribe admits that she didn't even realize that she hit the target at first. "I was lost in the moment," she told. "I was really surprised that I actually hit it. It seemed unrealistic, especially since this was my first time.” "I was really nervous with that first shot.

I tried really hard to avoid having to shoot, especially since I had never done anything like this before. I guess I was also afraid that I would never hit the clay target."

Like hitting a home run on the first pitch, Ribe was excited and ready to try again. Her second shot was again a direct hit; exploding the clay target. And so was her third shot.

Kent Williams, the coach of the Minneota Clay Target team, thought Ribe might want to experience something new while she is in the states. "I approached Ida with the idea that if she wanted to try something unique to America, she should try the trap club," Williams explained.

"I doubt that she would get to do that in Norway. She considered it for a few days and then came back and said she was willing to try."

Ribe said she was unsure about joining the clay target team at first, but eventually decided it might be fun. "Because we have very strict gun rules back home in Norway, this was an experience that I couldn't miss out on," she explained.

"I also got a friend (Allison Johnson) to join the team with me." Williams said that after Ribe completed the safety course, she was brought out to the trap field for the first time. She was allowed to fire off a few shots on her own to get used to the gun."

For a first-time shooter, even this can be very difficult. Ida called 'pull' for the target and to my astonishment, she hit the first clay target. I thought 'Wow!' ‘Beginner’s luck.’”

“But she called for another target, pulled the trigger and again busted the clay target." Third time's the charm? "She did it again with the third clay target," Williams said.

"I looked at one of the other coaches in disbelief and he gave me the same look." Feeling confident that his new team member could be placed in a real practice round with other team members, Williams set the trap machine this time so it swiveled. “As I stood next to her, I just couldn't believe that she was shooting so well," he said.

"When the final round was over, Ida had hit 20 of 25 targets … on her first round!” “That is unheard of for a first-time shooter. The best shooters on the team shoot in the 20s." Still amazed, Williams looked over at his latest sharpshooter and asked her if this was really the first time she had shot a gun. "She said it honestly was," he said.

"For a first-time shooter, Ida looks very natural handling a shotgun.” Ribe is now thankful she joined the team because she has gained confidence and is having a good time. "After two rounds, I really got into this," she said. “And it was so much fun. Everything I did felt natural.” “I also had great support by the coaches. They helped me get everything right." Williams agreed that she looks calm and collected when firing the gun.

"For most people, the first time they hold a firearm they look awkward and have a poor stance," he said.

"With Ida, she has an ideal stance and a natural ability to shoot. I’m really looking forward to see how she will shoot by the end of the year." With such strict gun laws in Norway, are her parents uneasy about their daughter firing a shotgun? "

They think it is great that I tried something new," Ribe said. "I also think that they were surprised because I have never been a big fan of guns.”

"They are supportive, and I hope I get to show them my progress when they come to visit at the end of May." After being undecided at first, Ribe is so glad that she decided to join the team.

“I’m having fun,” she said. "Everyone is really supportive, and I am enjoying every moment so far.” "I’m happy that I took a chance on joining the team.”

“This will be an experience I will look back at and know that I was glad I went out of my comfort zone and tried something new." Of course, having the shooting prowess of Annie Oakley would make anyone happy.

"We set the trap machine so that it wouldn't swivel back and forth," he said. "The clay targets would fly straight and smooth.”