Ageism in Firearms/Sporting Activities

[Great-Kazoo]

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

They're too busy looking down your blouse.

[cstone]

I think it has been expressed here but I want to try to express it another way.

It is natural for anyone to be suspicious of anything new or different. This not just an issue of age. When someone new joins a group, how long does it take for them to become an accepted member of the group. Similarly when someone is different from the majority of a group, how long does it take for them to become accepted, if ever, into that group.

We were all once new and different somewhere. What are we willing to do to be accepted? When is the cost of acceptance too high?

[SideShow Bob]

Heck, I must be old ! I can recall buying .22s at Sears and Western Auto stores before I was in High School. All I had to have was the cash, no parent required.

[ray1970]

Don't ask me. I'd strip the rights of everyone under 30.

Many a person (myself included) has made many a terrible decision between the ages of 15 and 30.

I don't need young people making shitty decisions that could impact me. Like voting.

Oh, and if it helps the OP out at gun stores.... pull your damn pants up and wear your ballcap the right way.

[RobertJordan]

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.

This is the correct approach.

[Irving]

I've given this thread some thought and have an alternate opinion for you. I've had experiences like yours, but not specifically in the gun community.

I have to be careful how I word this, but here goes. Static shooting ranges, gun shops, and gun shows attract the highest concentration of the lowest grade of person in the shooting community. If you're going to run into low grade person, your chances are greatly increased at those mentioned locations.

[Grant H.]

I've given this thread some thought and have an alternate opinion for you. I've had experiences like yours, but not specifically in the gun community.

I have to be careful how I word this, but here goes. Static shooting ranges, gun shops, and gun shows attract the highest concentration of the lowest grade of person in the shooting community. If you're going to run into low grade person, your chances are greatly increased at those mentioned locations.

Completely fair assessment.

ETA: You can meet plenty of fine examples of good 2A folks at LGS, Ranges, Shows, etc... But Irvings assessment is accurate.

Lest anyone here think I am calling members of this board out...

[BlasterBob]

Referring to the AGE thing. At current Gun Shows, the vast majority of vendors and those walking the aisles have white/gray hair. Don’t know if younger guys just have little interest in the shooting sports or perhaps prices have elevated to where they lose all interest in spending their wad on such a hobby. Yes, I am one of the old “white hair farts”.

[nelson]

Don't ask me. I'd strip the rights of everyone under 30.

Many a person (myself included) has made many a terrible decision between the ages of 15 and 30.

I don't need young people making shitty decisions that could impact me. Like voting.

Oh, and if it helps the OP out at gun stores.... pull your damn pants up and wear your ballcap the right way.

Haha oh hell, you're supposed to put a /s at the end of your post else someone might take you seriously.

[Squeeze]

When I got out the Marine Corps in 1995 I was an avid gun owner and loved shooting. I went to a gunsmithing school shortly after getting out and shooting has only become more of a passion as I've been making kydex products and building AR pattern rifles. I didn't have quite the overwhelming experience you are referring to...however; I did get the over-attentive range master at the Cherry Creek Family Fun Center one day as I was sighting in my AR. I asked him what his issue with me was since I noticed him hovering. I was not being unsafe in any manner. He didn't respond to me, just stepped back a few feet and stood there. Now, mind you I was young - mid 20's...so I didn't appreciate his demeanor and bagged up my rifle, told him to play a nice game of "hide and go fuck yourself", went into the office, told them what I thought and left. Haven't been back since. So glad I've toned down a bit as I've gotten older.