9 Days of Dates: Target practice at the Preserve Resort and Spa range

RICHMOND, R.I. (WLNE) — While cupid may shoot arrows, this one is for the lovers who prefer packing heat.

“I’m a retired detective, I retired from the city of Pawtucket after 20 years, major crime unit did another seven with the state police as a forensic analyst and investigator computer crimes unit,” said Robert Cardenas of the Preserve Resort and Spa.

“I think it really starts with education. If there are firearms in the home or a husband has a firearm it’s really important for ladies to know how to unload, it all the shooting fundamentals in case they have to handle it in an emergency situation.”

As a gun owner myself, I wanted to take a refresher course, without braving the chilly temperatures outside.

“We have 150 yard long range indoors so when it’s cold outside, it’s warm in here when it’s raining outside it’s dry in here,” said Cardenas.

So with that, we headed into the range, put on our eye and ear protection, and got a brief refresher course.

As the director of training at the preserve academy, Cardenas understands guns come with a lot of responsibility.

“We have people come here that are 21 and have never touched a gun and I’ve had men and women as old as 80 years old who have never touched a gun after a short class they leave in powered and with confidence,” said Cardenas.

It’s an out of the box date idea with your significant other, or you can sign up for a one on one lesson.

And while he understands it can be intimidating, you’ll get the proper training.

“I relate it simply to this. People are nervous when they first started driving. And there’s a lot of variables when you’re driving. You can’t necessarily control the traffic you can’t control the weather or the roadway,” said Cardenas.

“With a firearm once you learn how to load it unload it keep it pointed in a safe direction. Keep your finger off the trigger and tell you’re ready to shoot the gun.”