Kids and Hearing Protection: Morons at the range AGAIN!

[History Prof]

I managed to get to the range again yesterday (Sunday) There was a couple of 20-something fellas shooting .22s and an AR. They asked what my Mauser in the modern target stock was, and when I told them, they asked "what's a Mauser?" Oh good, I got to do my two favorite things: Shoot and teach history.

About 1/2 hour into it, two families show up driving two relatively new SUVs (I point that out, because they should be able to afford a few EAR PLUGS for pete's sake). About 5-6 kids between 7 and 12 hop out and sit on the benches and quietly watch as the two dads chat and wait for the line to go cold. The two moms just stand there holding rilfes in scabbards (for the dads, I guess). By this time, I was firing my lever action .44Mag, and I noticed NONE of these people had hearing protection. I couldn't, in good conscience, continue to shoot with these kids there. So, I stopped firing, and so did the two 20-somethings. Since this is an un-supervised range, it is typically run through simple manners. The three of us declared the range cold, so those fellas could set up. I left at that point. I was quite disgusted, since the LAST time I went to the range, a guy and his kid showed up without hearing protection. :banghead: :banghead:

WHAT IS WITH THESE PEOPLE?? Don't they care about their kids? Do so many Americans now live "in the moment" that we forget what the future holds (in this case, deafness)? I see a lot of this "in the momemt" attitude in my classes. They're usually the ones who have big fat Fs at the end of the semester. It drives me nuts.

 

[1911 guy]

Pretty sad.

A complete stranger (you) cares more for their kids well being than they do. Granted, they may have only had rimfires or something, but at a public range they should expect others to be there with a variety of calibers.

The Shooting Gods will smile on you for you sacrifice of range time. I, the High Priest of Large Bore Handguns give you my blessing. Other denominations may want to throw in, too.

 

[foghornl]

I always "double-up" i.e. plugs & muffs, and I have a small sackful of the 'foamies' to pass out ot anyone that didn't bring any.

It does, though sorta make ya go "Hmmmmm..." about WHY those folks didn't stop at Wally-World or som,ewhere else and buy a bucket of foamies.

 

[hso]

Perhaps they were just ignorant instead of stupid. The only way to have found out would have been to ask. If they refused to do something about it, like put the kids in the car, you whould have proven which it was.

 

[the naked prophet]

I agree, they may not know that shooting causes hearing damage. How many movies or tv shows exhibit proper hearing protection when shooting? They likely either just bought some deer rifles or inherited the same. It probably would have been helpful to offer them some disposable foam earplugs (I keep a box of fresh ones for just such an occasion) and explain that gunfire causes long-term hearing damage.

 

[bear71]

If you like to teach, why not teach these people about the benefits of cheap ear plugs?

The amount of benefit one receives about Mauser history is insignificant compared to the benefit one receives regarding hearing protection.

Spread the word, help a kid out that doesn't get the proper education from his mother. Carry some cotton balls, they work, albeit not as well as specifically designed plugs, might have saved you some frustration.

 

[No_Brakes23]

Relax, they are just trying to get the kids used to the noise so they can retrieve better in the field.

 

[sloppyjoec]

that is the first time i laughed out loud in this form, thank you no brakes.


What about a pregnant lady shooting, suppose the flesh/womb will deaden the sound? what about the lead?

 

[The Rifleman]

Most people that work in a manufacturing enviroment can get ear plugs "foamies" for free.

I was fired from a employer - "Siemens" for asking for a set of ear plugs!

Gee I wonder why I have had nothing but problems with my ears for the last 10 years? I wonder why I can't hear? I wonder why I have a constant ringing in my ears?

Must be because when my mama said to wear them I didn't listen either.

Now I am paying the price!

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Probably just ignorant. I always carry a handful of cheap foam earplugs in my truck for just these occasions.

My son and I were at the range a while back when a father and son showed up. Father, about 40, had a 30-06 and son, about 15, had a .308. Both rifles looked new. As we got ready to go hot, my son looked over at the couple and said "Uh, do you have any ear protection?". Father replied "I didn't think we'd need any". I went to the truck and got each of them a pair of plugs, then we explained the range rules to them.

I think they appreciated that we did it in a non-judgmental way. They had a good time with their new rifles, although the boy had a heck of a flinch after a few shots. Can't win 'em all.

 

[boerseun]

I grew up without hearing protection when shooting, but we never went to a range....we just shot on the farm. 99% of all shooting was with 22lr. I only damaged my ears when I had to discharge my 1911 inside my car.
That being said, there is no danged reason for any person in America NOT to wear hearing protection to the range. It is really not even a factor in my annual shooting budget. Heck, I buy the $5 muffs from walmart and it protects my hearing GREAT from even my M44's blast!
I have the same muffs for me, the wife and kids. They are adjustable and cheap and my kids ears are 100% fine...the "hearing loss" they claim is mental and only to avoid getting in trouble with me
$5 per person....it is not too much to ask - even for some us that are on a budget (like me). I allow myself to spend a maximum of $50 per paycheck on guns and shooting.

It is a shame that you cared more about their kids' ears than they did!

 

[mete]

The sad part of the story is that kids play rock 'music ' at very high decibel levels and no one says anything [parents ]. It's long been known that most kids by the time they are 18 have lost a considerable part of their hearing !! 'Ear education' should include everything -shooting , music, machinery !

 

[History Prof]

Part of my frustration is with myself. I posted my experience here the last time it happened, and several people mentioned carrying a box of those foamies. But since it was the first time I had seen kids at the range without hearing protection around here, I figured it was too rare for me to worry about it happening again. And I've seen LOTS of kids at our local range. OK, next time, I'm not gonna let my conscience chase me away. I'm gonna take as many disposable plugs as I can and offer them if ever needed. If they say no, then I'm just gonna keep right on shooting....

 

[hksw]

I had a similar occurance about 3-4 years ago. I was at my local private gun clubs range shooting groups with a .22 lr or .17 HMR (can't recall which) and a guy sets up at the far left bench about 4-5 benches away (outdoor range). He had three little girls in tow and was giving them a lesson on their first time out (I was presuming). I was shooting at the 50yd stand and was the only other shooter there. Stopped shooting to change out targets and let him run down to set up his.

Being an outdoor range, I use plugs and just leave them on whenever shooting starts and when the range goes cold as I'm able to hear enough with them on when someone talks. Range goes hot, and I take some time to load mags then start shooting. He's starting with a .22 it sounds like as I didn't look over, too intent on my shooting. After a group or two, I noticed he wasn't shooting and was having a problem with his rifle, a pump .22 lr, from the sounds of him trying to pump it. I look over and he has the gun point correctly down range while trying to work the action but also noticed he and the little girls, guessing 8-10 y.o. each, didn't have any hearing protection! WTH. I go over there and give them a few pairs of plugs to put on. I worked in manufacturing that gives plugs to workers in the noisy plant and snag a few for the range. The girls must have been holding their hands over their ears when he was shooting as they were doing that after they started using the plugs (but eventually stopped after noticing the noise wasn't that bad with the plugs in).

What was disappointing is that he also had a shotgun (didn't notice the gage) he was going to teach with also.

 

[MrTwigg]

Like some others, I carry extra ear plugs. I try to have a couple extra boxes of disposable foam earplugs. I gently remind the folks who are shooting without protection of the hazards and then offer to provide an unopened, sealed box with the offer to show them how to use them.

I make the offer once. If they decline, no big deal. I did my part.

Stupid should hurt.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I'm gonna take as many disposable plugs as I can and offer them if ever needed. If they say no, then I'm just gonna keep right on shooting....

Remember, you can cure ignorance, but you can't always cure stupid.
*edited to cure stupid spelling*

If you go to a hardware or industrial supply store, you should be able to get a large box of foamies for pretty cheap. They can be really handy if you or a friend forget your normal hearing protection, or you get stuck in traffic next to someone with a loud stereo.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

It really is amazing how many sets of cheap foamies I've had to hand out to grown men and their kids at the range. Luckily, none of them have turned them down, because I'd hate to have to laugh in their face when they said no.

Remember, you can cure ignorance, but you can't allways cure stupid.

I really love this. LOL

 

[Mannlicher]

History Prof, while I can understand your noticing these things, I do not understand your need to vent over it. The only behavior you can control is your own, no need to get upset about what others choose to do, unless their choices have a negative impact on your health and safety.
Chill out man

 

[scout26]

Yep, I keep a small bag of 40-50 foamies in the range bag (I think I paid something like $10.00 for a BIG bag of 250 or 500.). Me and the family always double up (we've got fitted plugs under the muffs), and I've got a couple extra sets of muffs and ~20 of the "High School Science Lab" Safety Glasses (I got those, used, for $.10 each at a science surplus store). We often bring guests (my friends, my daughter's friends) to our range. It's a private outdoor club, so eyes and ears are mandatory on or near the firing lines. In the parking lot, they're not required, but we wear ours anyway, only time they come off is during ceasefires or in the clubhouse.

I've called cease-fires when I've seen people without eyes and ears, about half the time they do the "Ooops, left them in the car, they're in the range bag on the bench, red in the face, 'Sorry guys'." The other half is "Left them at home, forget to bring them, I coulda sworn I put them in the range bag, etc." I'll offer them whatever they need: "You can keep the foamie earplugs, but if I'm still here when you're done shooting, I'd like the glasses back for the next person who forgets theirs."

I don't get mad, we're all human and we forget/make mistakes. I use it as a teaching moment and the chance to make new (shooting) friend(s). Everyone has driven all the way to their range/club and left their Member ID, Guns, Ammo, Eyes/Ears, Range Bag, tools, etc. behind, and if they haven't yet they will.......

 

[El Tejon]

Yeah, everyone makes mistakes. Be prepared and honey gets more flies than vinegar.

I know someone who forgot to wear his ears at gun skul once (it was raining and I had my jacket hood up). All dozen plus people shooting pistols at once was not fun. Learned my lesson though.

 

[scurtis_34471]

I was at the range yesterday when a real redneck looking guy showed up with his two young sons and proceded to give them extended shooting lessons with no ear protection. What an idiot. There were people shooting .45s and high powered rifles. He and his kids were shooting a .38 revolver. They were there at least an hour. I won't let my kid near the firing line without at least wearing muffs and preferably plugs too.

 

[longrifleman]

Only slightly off topic.

What seems to be the best kid size muffs available? I've been using adult size for my grandkids but I'm not happy with the fit. The muffs are about as big as my grandaughter's head. Also, kids like to have things that are their own, and therefor are more likely to wear them. Foamies are not so easy to use for kids. I've seen them fall out or be barely stuck in and not doing much good.

 

[Andras]

I have a sheet of 60 pairs of foam ear protectors I picked up at Home Depot. I'll pass those out like candy if someone doesn't have any ear protection.

 

[Bruce333]

I always have a bunch of foam plugs in the range bag, get 'em free at work.

What seems to be the best kid size muffs available?

My daughter has a set of Peltor Juniors that still fit her very well. She's 13 now, started shooting when She was 9.

 

[Antihero]

The sad part of the story is that kids play rock 'music ' at very high decibel levels and no one says anything [parents ]. It's long been known that most kids by the time they are 18 have lost a considerable part of their hearing !! 'Ear education' should include everything -shooting , music, machinery !

Waaaay different sounds there. Gunfire is a sharp loud noise and music is not, You can get hearing damage from both but i believe gunfire is much worse.

Also im guessing you're not a fan of rock music but as a musician id like to point out a few things,,

1 A lot of musicians do wear earplugs including my drummer. I dont personally, but i take other percautions such as not having moniters or amps blasting at me.

2. On stage is usually much quieter than out front. The house PA system amplifies the already amplified sound for the audience

3 If you think rock music is loud you should try Metal, or Death Metal, or Industrial. Rock music is suprisingly tame volume wise compared to those.

4 Listening to loud music thru headphones is much worse than actually playing it. On stage you can keep the volume lower, or point amps and moniters away. With headphones you cant get away from the volume.

5 You can turn music and amps down. I have yet to see a volume knob on my 44 magnum.




Any other musicians on this site? Or am i the only one?