jerkface11
Member
Always a good idea to berate a stranger who is holding a gun.
Reminds me of the the time we did a project at Remington. One of our team members who NEVER touched a gun before. Was firing a large caliber handgun (think it was a 45 or 50 cal) at the range. With the gun still loaded, safety off, finger on the trigger, gun pointed level about mid torso height, she turns to all of us on her right side to tell us how awesome the gun is and swept the line. First time I ever dove on the floor at a range and i was joined by a half a dozen people.
yeah, good times. I have to admit, like the OP, she got the riot act from me and the other people laying on the floor.
This sounds like a guy that doesn't know any better.
Playing DI didn't accomplish anything.
Teach him. Don't bereate him.
AFS
Yep, enjoy your alcohol, tobacco and firearms - just not all at the same time.Deanimator said:We had a guy like that at the club range one night. He was a doctor who'd just joined.
The range officer saw him drop his firearm on the floor. Investigating, the range officer noticed that the guy smelled like a distillery. He disarmed him and sent him home. He called a member of the Board of Directors who held an emergency meeting to expel the doctor and refund his dues.
Flash forward a week or two. Local Cleveland news reports a doctor arrested for being passed out drunk on the side of the interstate, a loaded gun (and no CHL) on the seat next to him. Guess who that doctor was...
I would have hired R. Lee Ermy to explain it to him, even if i went to the poor house.
One of our team members who NEVER touched a gun before. Was firing a large caliber handgun (think it was a 45 or 50 cal) at the range. With the gun still loaded, safety off, finger on the trigger, gun pointed level about mid torso height, she turns to all of us on her right side to tell us how awesome the gun is and swept the line. First time I ever dove on the floor at a range and i was joined by a half a dozen people.... like the OP, she got the riot act from me and the other people laying on the floor.
I agree. Sometimes, while you may seem harsh, it makes a point that sticks with people better. Especially if it is a situation where you know that they know the rules, or have been told the rules, and they still weren't followed, or even might not have realized that they are violating them (not a full understanding of the importance, nerves, etc).Do not spare someone's pride/feelings/dignity if they are being unsafe at the range. Do whatever it takes to let them know that they are being unsafe. It's not worth risking your life because you don't want to hurt a guy's feelings. Better to berate him than say nothing at all. Obviously, if you have the restraint to do it kindly, and in an educative manner, then do so. But don't stand by idly while some newbie/moron endangers you or other range-goers' safety.
Well done, OP. That guy will likely not make those mistakes again.
Absolutely. How you handle it is your choice, but handle it.It's not worth risking your life because you don't want to hurt a guy's feelings.
but if said individual is an adult he should have known better, and deserved a stern talking to.
Let me pass on a little more information. The fellow was an older gent (I'm 56), quite a big fellow (450-500 lbs) and having difficulty walking with a cane. I had briefly talked to the individual (nice gun, etc.) and I had gotten the impression he was a long time shooter, with many firearms. He was not a new shooter. When he first fumbled the loaded gun, I got the distinct impression that he was just very careless. He had not walked fully into the shooting station, was fumbling with the gun, didn't seem to be in control of it, and loaded it with no intention of shooting it at that time. His, shooting partner (daughter, I guess) was set up at the last station and swept up brass and prepared the station to use, so I had the thought they both were very familiar with range shooting. In fact they seemed very familiar with this particular range.
And yet the people at the rental ranges continue to be ignorant morons.There is absolutely no reason for a gun owner to not know the basics of gun handling before going to the range for the first time. When I started shooting a couple of decades ago there was no one to teach me the basics. I grew up in Chicago - well enough said. I picked up a book and learned. These days with the Internet, no one should be without knowledge of the basics. It is irresponsible. Yes, the guy deserved to be reamed a new one.