With no one watching them, of course no one would dare hand guns to the children for practice, even if the guns had no bullets.
Anyone who had handled a gun knew that whether it was loaded was practically a mystical question. That was why the standard procedure for clearing a gun in the military was to pull the trigger twice while aiming into the air.
But even without adults around, the temporary shooting range by the sea was far from quiet. Lorna was practicing her abilities in full view of everyone. Catherine Hepburn had immediately told everyone that Lorna and Dane were Mutants. They were all family, so there was nothing to hide. Since Lorna was a girl without any bizarre or terrifying traits, aside from her conspicuous green hair, everyone quickly accepted this unusual fact.
When no one else needed the seaside range, the children could no longer suppress their urge to show off. So Lorna used practicing her abilities at the beach as an excuse, when what she really wanted was an audience for her performance.
Lorna's appearance and demeanor were especially androgynous; she could charm both boys and girls. Neither boys nor girls minded following this new friend to the beach.
Lorna Dane used her magnetic abilities to lift the iron-bearing grains from the sand, compress them into a clump, and fire them at empty can targets. Though there was no gunshot, the cans were still flattened and sent flying, showing that the power was no weaker than a handgun's.
Henry had been chased outside by Grandma to get some sea air... and was responsible for watching over the children practicing their mutant abilities.
Watching Lorna repeatedly bow in every direction like a stage performer amid the other children's applause, smug with pride, Henry applauded as