When you have trouble keeping your shots on paper at 3 yards...

[Sniper X]

True, but I neither want to get hit by a bullet or a golf ball so when in danger would say SOMETHING, like I do when some kid starts hitting at the driving range, and almost hits me with a golf ball.

 

[NG VI]

That kind of demeanor with a loved one is inexcusable outside of small and very specific circumstances, and even then it isn't ok for long. It's inexcusable with anyone else too, again outside of very brief and targeted situations.


And I like to shoot small pistols at regular or longer ranges. It's fun and testing.

 

[StrikeFire83]

I have been critical of people in the past and still do on occasion, only to find that there is either a situation or process that I was not aware of! I've been embarrassed several times..therefore..I just understand that there are people of all skills and qualifications coming down to the range. The part that is good, is that they are supporting the practice of shooting. Just like bowling and golf. You can be great and bowl in the high 200's...shoot par or below in golf..or scatter your rounds all over the target.

Like I said in the thread-starter, I kept my mouth shut. The way the man was shooting BORDERED on the dangerous only when he shot off the clothespin attached to the metal rod that held the target in place. The rest was just REALLY BAD SHOOTING, including the round that hit the shooter's target in the lane to his left. And yes, had one of the guy's rounds hit MY target, you better believe I would have said something.

Someone being a bad shot is one thing. But these are deadly weapons we're dealing with. If somebody is SUCH a bad shot that they don't have control of their weapon, they need to be removed from the range. This isn't like a bad bowler or a bad golfer, nobody dies or gets seriously injured if Bozo throws a gutter-ball or misses his putt.

 

[chrt396]

...and you wonder why some of the R.O.'s get so pissy at times! It's a high degree of baby sitting!

I have noticed however..the attitude of some of the shooters when they come on the range. I kind of use the range for my social time of the week. Seeing friends..BS'ing about guns..blah..blah! I was people watching this past weekend and noticed..a lot of guys walk on to the range with their Ruger MK III's or old revolvers..or God forbid...a Glock acting like they are tough, mean tactical ogres! I have to smile and laugh to myself. Thinking.."Was I ever like that?" I probably was..but my memory is shutting down to ever think that I would be that way.

 

[Fotno]

Years ago, a friend who knew I enjoyed guns and shooting asked me to "look at" his mom's revolver, because there was something "bad wrong" with it. We threw together an impromptu range on their farm, and asked her to try shooting at an 8" paper plate taped to an old sheet of plywood. She brought out and loaded a S&W J-Frame, and at seven yards, proceeded to miss not only the plate, but the entire sheet of plywood with all five shots. Worst flinch I've ever seen.

Of course there wasn't anything wrong with that gun; but it took me an afternoon of explaining/shooting/showing to get her to realize it. She wound up being a pretty decent shooter, but not until she was willing to admit she that she needed to go back to square one and start all over again.

I told that story to say this... There seem to be lots of people who think that buying a gun and a box of ammo is the end of the story instead of the beginning.