Miss D,
I'm so glad you and G&R are still around, as you exemplify some of the more thoughtful American women around.
But I'm concerned about your plans for doing "something with guns" when you have never shot one in your life. It's not something you should do all alone, nor should you readily trust the local range operator to be as knowledgable about guns as is generally presumed.
Please, please, let one of TFL members guide you through the process of firing your first shot!
Show of hands, folks? Who's willing to teach Miss D. the 4 rules of firearms safety and only then gently introduce her to the finer aspects of marksmanship?
(Expect to be stampeded, Miss D.!)