TAHOMA — Master the trigger pull and the bullet will pierce whatever I want it to.

That’s essentially what Sonny Piazza told me as he gave me a lesson in firearms Aug. 14. Piazza is one of two range instructors certifying El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies. I have a long ways to go before that happens.

Glocks are the most popular gun in law enforcement. Photos/Kathryn Reed

I shot a Glock 27 .40-caliber, a little smaller gun than what is pictured here. It fit my hand better. It fit and felt better than I expected.

I had shot a gun once before — probably 15 years ago. Adrenaline kicks in when that trigger is pulled. It takes practice to not let the recoil pull the gun up and for my left hand to stay on the gun.

Kathryn Reed's target from 4 yards out.

Piazza is patient. He talks about treating any firearm as though it is loaded. He is quick to make sure my index finger comes off the trigger as soon as I shoot.

Don’t ever point at something unless I intend to shoot it, he tells me.

I stand straight at the target so if the bad guy were to shoot, he gets my whole vest and not under arm that isn’t protected.

From 7 yards out I hit the “head”, knock over the bowling pin and splinter the clay; from 4 yards the “body” has holes that would have sent that bad guy to the coroner’s office.

— Kathryn Reed