Ageism in Firearms/Sporting Activities

[Not_A_Llama]

You may have too much sparkle and enthusiasm in your eyes. A few more years of soul-crushing work, and you'll be drab enough to not notice, or too tired to care.

I probably engage in some classical ageism, to what I'd call your "reverse ageism" - old dudes at my clubs that shoot bullseye and other slow sports have shit-terrifying gun handling skills and reaction times, while insisting that "quick draw" shooters are unsafe for holstering chambered guns or going downrange when everyone is holstered. I try to educate, include, and dialog where I can.

I would stop caring, and leverage the situation to ask questions from much more experienced folks who'll be frank with you. GLHF.

[cstone]

Most people can barely control themselves and their own reactions. That never seems to stop them from focusing on the reactions of others.

Everyone has hang ups about all sorts of things. Be yourself and don’t get caught up in other people’s drama.

Be safe.

[SideShow Bob]

How do you dress when you go to these Ageistic places ? First impressions will set the attitude for how you are perceived and treated.
Us “Old Fart” Fudds are that way,

[OtterbatHellcat]

I'm thinking about what Davsel said.

[UrbanWolf]

Totally agree.. ignorant 18-19 year old me didn't realize this, as soon as I switched to LGS it's been a much better experience.

Yep, once a LGS gets to know you, they usually treat you like a friend, also a few tips to combat ageism in gun shop:
1) don’t said stupid stuff, if you don’t know how something works, don’t talk, there are enough idiots with guns to go around.
2) don’t talk their business away, not your sale or your money, not your concern.
3) muzzle and chamber awareness goes a long way.

[Delfuego]

There are 3 sides to every story.
What you said, what they said and what actually happened.

[Doc45]

Hah! I enjoy the looks the tacticool toddlers (oops is that “ageism”??!!) give me when I show up with only my revolvers at the range (well they can’t see my old guy 1911 on my side LOL)-one of which is a .22 Smith!!!

[Grant H.]

Just ignore it.

I've been big into firearms since before I could legally purchase them by myself, and as such have been through what you're talking about. It's actually not based on age, it's based on lack of personal experience. I'm not that much older than you, but I give the same look to anyone, regardless of age, when they show up to shoot and I don't know what they are capable of. It's a self preservation thing. It's a "I don't want shot by someone else's accident" thing.

Once you've shown that you know what you're doing, almost none will care about your age, except to be happy there are younger folks interested in guns.

[Grant H.]

As for the buying ammo, I had one walmart clown try and deny me when I was 19 because I was buying 9mm.

I politely, but firmly, explained that I was buying it for a 9mm carbine and that it was legal to purchase for someone under 21.

He wouldn't do it, so I got a manager called over, and after describing the 9mm carbine that I had built, he approved the sale and I never had a problem there again, even with different people.

[Irving]

I can honestly say I've never had this experience, or never interpreted an experience in this way.