Ageism in Firearms/Sporting Activities

[nelson]

So here's an interesting topic for discussion that I've always wanted to ask a group of folks about but never had the right forum. tl;dr: What do you all think about ageism or age discrimination in firearms-type sporting activities? and is it right, and how should one overcome it?

Let me share you my perspective.. I'm in my early 20s. I bought my first rifle in the week of my 18th birthday (M&P15-22). Up until that point, I had a purely observational perspective on this hobby which was, watching YouTube videos or reading forums etc. From those forms of media you don't realize the reality of going to the range or buying a gun at this age, which in my experience was the first store I went to (Wal-Mart) refusing the sale because I looked too "young". Already had done the background check, passed, paid the fees for that, etc. No real legal basis of denying the sale other than the fact that they are a business and can do what they want. I can't help but think that the fuckwit behind the counter thought he was stopping the next school shooter (with a .22, mind you), but that set the tone that 6 years later continues and still bothers me.

The second experience was when I was trying to buy ammo in person for that .22 at a different store (Big5) and they refused the sale as well. Granted, this was 4 days after SandyHook, but FFS I wanted to stock up on ammo too lol. Gladly, found ammoseek and order ammo almost only online now, which has been great for my finances too.

When I go to a new range where the people don't know me or where I'm not a member (looking at you Summit County or Cheyenne Mountain), I get the weirdest looks. I get the range officer super hyper sensitive to what I'm doing.. which I understand is their job to a certain extent, but it bothers me sometimes. It's to the point where I wont go to a new range alone, because it can be such an awkward experience, so instead I hit up one of my bearded buddies to join and then it's a totally different day. I know a lot of people my age can be irresponsible, but I'm a professional with a job and a 401K (lol), I follow gun and range safety to the absolute tip of the T, so it confuses me when Bob two lanes down barrel sweeps me with his grandfathers 1911 and doesn't even get a peep from the range officer.

Maybe I just need to befriend some older gentlemen on here, but honestly, I like going to the range by myself. I have very few hobbies, don't go out to the bars on the weekend or nothing like that, so range time is my "me time" and I want to spend it by myself with my own internal voice, putting holes in paper. Thankfully I've found an indoor range near me, which after an initial awkward experience, has been generally fine, but sometimes 25yds is a bit boring.

Thoughts? Am I just out of place here and should go back to my mom's and cry?

[Great-Kazoo]

Thoughts? Am I just out of place here and should go back to my mom's and cry?

Well if she's like us. The day after the daughter moved out we redecorated. So i doubt there's room at her house for you.

On a serious note. I'd like to recruit more young shooters like you for the range out here. Being in my 60's, i'm one of the youngest and don't understand why there's not more of a push to bring young shooters in to the sport.
Think they don't want their GOBN upset.

Anyway. IMO IF you see someone sweeping call the RO on it. It's their job. If they don't notice it after you bring it to their attention it's a job meant for someone else.

You'll always get shit from some of the more serious fudds, if you're shooting an AR. Those you'll never win over. Hell even today shooting suppressed there's still a mentality of THOSE THINGS ARE ILLEGAL! Best you can do is smile and out shoot them.

Which leads me to suggesting you attend a few different local shooting comps. Make friends, learn how to shoot better becoming a regular face at the range. This way when those ol coots say something, someone you met at a comp may come over to say hi. Shutting the naysayers up.

[emiller35]

I?m a touch older (27) but know exactly what you mean. From my experience this really has only happened to me on sporting clay courses and Trap/Skeet fields. However it was easily fixed once they could tell I wasn?t going to slow anyone up and actually knew what I was doing. Also helps to just get out and make some friends on the course if you?re usually shooting solo.


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[davsel]

Outside of your welcome posts, you have one mentioning "sexism" at a gun range and now this new thread on "ageism" where I question the facts of your purchasing experiences.
Almost looks to be trolling. Time will tell. Until then, I will utilize my ignore list so as not to be banned for stating my true thoughts.
Hope you prove me wrong.

[ben4372]

I think it is mostly a function of the way people are wired. About 30 years ago I worked as a trap boy at the Aurora Gun Club. It happened back then too. Especially with the retiree shooters. I do notice myself slowly turning into those old, much loved curmudgeons. In my younger years I just went shooting, only noticed the most careless shooters. Now, I find myself almost unable to relax if a younger shooter is nearby. As the OP mentioned, I feel a bit more comfortable if a older person is around. That said I went shooting for the first time with guys I've known for 20 years. They are new to guns. None of them have any formal training or hunter's safety. I had the same feeling for a bit. After knowing they were safe, I relaxed. It would be unnatural to not be more than alert around an unknown person with a gun. The more different you are the more people are alert to your presents. You'll get older and eventually get less looks. Along the same line is becoming a regular at one or two places. I for one would love more young folks around the gun business. Don't get discouraged.

[nelson]

Outside of your welcome posts, you have one mentioning "sexism" at a gun range and now this new thread on "ageism" where I question the facts of your purchasing experiences.
Almost looks to be trolling. Time will tell. Until then, I will utilize my ignore list so as not to be banned for stating my true thoughts.
Hope you prove me wrong.

To each their own, brother. I joined this forum to talk about this kind of stuff because its what limits me from enjoying something I really love. If you disagree that sexism exists in this hobby/sport then you're simply being ignorant in my opinion. I've since found a local range and a local (non-chain) gun store that treat everyone with the same amount of respect, so certainly my experiences in the OP are both anecdotal and you're only seeing one side of it. I personally want to know what it is I can do to help combat the situation. If I was trolling I wouldn't join with my real name and post my real location and occupation where you can easily find me on LinkedIn.

[nelson]

Well if she's like us. The day after the daughter moved out we redecorated. So i doubt there's room at her house for you.

On a serious note. I'd like to recruit more young shooters like you for the range out here. Being in my 60's, i'm one of the youngest and don't understand why there's not more of a push to bring young shooters in to the sport.
Think they don't want their GOBN upset.

Anyway. IMO IF you see someone sweeping call the RO on it. It's their job. If they don't notice it after you bring it to their attention it's a job meant for someone else.

You'll always get shit from some of the more serious fudds, if you're shooting an AR. Those you'll never win over. Hell even today shooting suppressed there's still a mentality of THOSE THINGS ARE ILLEGAL! Best you can do is smile and out shoot them.

Which leads me to suggesting you attend a few different local shooting comps. Make friends, learn how to shoot better becoming a regular face at the range. This way when those ol coots say something, someone you met at a comp may come over to say hi. Shutting the naysayers up.

Haha probably true, parents moved and I don't have a room anymore for sure. I'd definitely like to check out some of the more competitive aspects, I certainly have the money/equipment/time so it's worth a look. Might start at the bowling pin shoot at my local range that has been looking real fun.

I think it is mostly a function of the way people are wired. About 30 years ago I worked as a trap boy at the Aurora Gun Club. It happened back then too. Especially with the retiree shooters. I do notice myself slowly turning into those old, much loved curmudgeons. In my younger years I just went shooting, only noticed the most careless shooters. Now, I find myself almost unable to relax if a younger shooter is nearby. As the OP mentioned, I feel a bit more comfortable if a older person is around. That said I went shooting for the first time with guys I've known for 20 years. They are new to guns. None of them have any formal training or hunter's safety. I had the same feeling for a bit. After knowing they were safe, I relaxed. It would be unnatural to not be more than alert around an unknown person with a gun. The more different you are the more people are alert to your presents. You'll get older and eventually get less looks. Along the same line is becoming a regular at one or two places. I for one would love more young folks around the gun business. Don't get discouraged.

For sure this is definitely it.. once I'm on range for 10-15 minutes and obviously know what I'm doing everyone relaxes. It's only natural as you say to have some heightened awareness, I totally get this. At the end of the day you have to bring younger shooters into the hobby else the hobby dies by default, not enough streams of people to take over for the older folks who start to hit the range less and less.

[Wulf202]

Grow your own beard?

[nelson]

Grow your own beard?

Haha I wish, all I can grow are some mean sideburns.

[CS1983]

Carry some metamucil bars in your range bag. If someone says something you feel is "ageist", pull one out and say, "If you want to give me shit, you'll need to eat this first. Don't forget to drink water with it, gramps." If they laugh, they're cool. If they throw a fit, ask where their nursing home handler is.