Jumy,
I'm surprised that you're from Dubai and never got to shoot while you rode at equestrian events. Most gun clubs and equestrian clubs in the GCC countries are associated with each other and some years ago I was offered a sponsorship by one of the Kuwait rulers to set up a gun shop there with a membership in the country's gun and equestrian sports club. I did not take this up (and ended up offending the gentleman inadvertently) because I was preparing to move to the USA at the time though I did check on gun ownership laws in the region.
The world's largest shooting and hunting forum, Accurate Reloading is based in Dubai and owned by Saeed bin Hasher Al Maktoum. Also, most GCC countries have laws that are extremely gun enthusiast friendly but for their citizens alone, not for foreigners resident there, if you are not a UAE citizen, that is. And Dubai produced an Olympic shooting medallist, the younger brother of Saeed AL Maktoum though in recent months, the Qataris have been working hard and seem determind not to let Dubai get away with prizes in international competition. I do find it surprising that even your father has an anti gun view in the light of what is actually going on in the shooting sports there.
Before I lose track, welcome to this group. All shooters are welcome, bar none. And I do hope that the other women posters would post as well. Their continued silence on a thread like this one which I started to get their views on baffles me.
Best wishes and do try and shoot sometime. You should find it great fun - my wife tolerated my shooting but did not seem to want to try it until MArk's children dragged her to their range behind his home and got her to shoot one of their little 22s. SHe is now addicted to it.

In any case, women make some of the best shooters and I am sure that if you become interested in the sport, you would do very well.