It is people like that who give gun-owners everywhere a bad name.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Not first hand, but per my dad. My dad is the middle brother of three. The younger one ("Uncle M") is quite responsible, he and my cousin have been shooting for a while. The older one ("Uncle J") is just a little more quirky. My dad and younger uncle (M) were explaining to the older why you'd want to use hollow points, "Uncle J" had only ever used FMJs. After some explanation, it all made sense except to actually go out and purchase some JHPs.

No, "Uncle J" suggested he'd just go take a file to the bullet nose and …...

I guess this provoked a double face-palm from the other two. I have no idea what ever became of it. I haven't seen either of my uncles in years. I'd like to shoot with the younger one or my cousin, but they live several states away.

[hatidua]

Have you ever encountered someone which is so irresponsible around guns that you have told yourself:'
It is people like that who give gun-owners everywhere a bad name.

-both times I went shooting in Lefthand Canyon.

If so, have you had the opportunity to correct their actions? Did it make a difference?

Someone in the their mid-40's (me) can't tell someone who is 18-20 (them) anything and be taken seriously.

[StagLefty]

This thread reminds me what my Training Counselor told the class about 20 years ago " when it comes to safety you don't have the right to remain silent ".




Back at ya Bert !!!

[MED]

Three weeks ago, I had to go and explain the reason for not shooting while people were down range. (shooting area by Buffalo Creek). Anybody who goes to the public shooting areas sees plenty of stupid; there is no shortage of stupid people. A few weeks ago, I had a guy decide to make a hard left turn from a stop on the right shoulder of 285 while I was going past him (probably the most idiotic thing I have ever seen driving). Avoiding the guy was difficult; but fortunately, I was able to correct. I just assume that people don't know what they are doing.

[Fromk]

I nominate a whole group for this thread. The "bad boyfriend" training instructors. I'm sure anyone who works at a range has there own experience with these guys. They're the ones who bring there girlfriends on a date to the range and guarantee they'll never be back. The get their ladies shooting guns they can't handle (little revolvers to large calibers), don't pay attention when both of their thumbs are behind a moving slide (bandaids always at the ready), and spend more time proving how macho they are than to take the time to be of any help. Sometimes you can spot these things and help out and sometimes you're just too late.


Luckily the worst ones never make it to the range. My favorite story ended at the counter. It's a little long but some of the details are important. Where I worked if somebody wanted to rent a gun (especially if they didn't bring their own) we performed a very simple skill test at the counter.


Pick a gun they're familiar with.
Have them load 3 snap caps in a magazine.
We take it, chamber a snap cap, put it back on the counter.
Explain that these are not real rounds but we're going to pretend that they are.
Ask them to SAFELY unload it.
Take a big, deliberate step out of the way to try and give them a hint.
We didn't try to trick anyone. All of this was explained before and during the test. It takes someone who know what they're doing a few seconds.


The guy is at the counter with his lady to his left. He picks up the gun, in one motion like someone checking their watch. He wasn't deliberately pointing it around. Just examining it. He sweeps me (FAIL), the other guy I'm working with, and rests on her. All in one motion that took less than a second. Suddenly we all hear this "click." She gave him this wide, hateful stare, the gun was returned, and they left. Not a lot of words after that.


As a side note that was only the second worst failure of that test I ever saw.

[Ronin13]

I see them all the time at the range- sadly. Many are these BluCore Groupon customers who got a really good deal on a rental and range time, show up with their thuggy-two-fresh buddy, rent a gun that they saw in a Bruce Willis movie, and then proceed to shoot like they're trying out for "Who wants to be a gangsta." I've said something to some of these idiots before, even offered to give them a quick lesson in proper handgun handling, and of course, they act like I'm the asshole... Usually I just say a word to the staff about this and hope they correct the issue. These kinds of people are the reason I'm on guard at the range. All it takes is one stray to totally mess your week up.

[cysoto]

..." when it comes to safety you don't have the right to remain silent ".

I like that!!

[flogger]

I had an Uncle that had been hit with a shotgun when he was a kid, he said leather boots hanging around his neck and covering his chest saved his life. He loved showing us kids the BB that was still under the skin in one of his eyeballs. That was 50 yrs ago, I'm sure his message stuck with a lot of kids, it did me.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

I see them all the time at the range- sadly. Many are these BluCore Groupon customers who got a really good deal on a rental and range time, show up with their thuggy-two-fresh buddy, rent a gun that they saw in a Bruce Willis movie, and then proceed to shoot like they're trying out for "Who wants to be a gangsta." I've said something to some of these idiots before, even offered to give them a quick lesson in proper handgun handling, and of course, they act like I'm the asshole... Usually I just say a word to the staff about this and hope they correct the issue. These kinds of people are the reason I'm on guard at the range. All it takes is one stray to totally mess your week up.

Part of me really wishes that would end, the other part of me sees a lot of females their taking responsibility for themselves and learning.
But I have seen a ton of what you describe since I'm there often enough.

[Ronin13]

Part of me really wishes that would end, the other part of me sees a lot of females their taking responsibility for themselves and learning.
But I have seen a ton of what you describe since I'm there often enough.

Double edged sword. Oh, and obligatory rib- FUDDs give gun owners a bad name... "I'm okay with reasonable gun control, just don't touch my shotgun/hunting rifle." Otherwise known as "very liberal gun owners."