Clinotus
08-26-2008, 08:25 AM
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Ever so often the wife and I hit the range together. She is by no means a shooter: She’s not interested in firearms or their history, and up to a point she doesn’t really care for them at all. But as a protective mother with little ones in the house, she acknowledge firearms' place in the world. So every three of four months we somewhat begrudgingly hit the range, go over safety, go over a quick drill, and get back in the car.
Why am I telling you this?
Well, last weekend we went out to the range together. Since she’s a new shooter, she is still timid and shy with her shooting (despite being a great shot). We arrive and wait for the range to clear a bit before we gather our things and head down to the shooting berm. As we approach there is a group on our right who are starting to pack up. I wave at them, confirm that they are done, and we all make small talk for a moment as they pack up and move out.
As we hit the berm another gentleman walks down from a rifle stand on the far left and asks about his shooting lane and the chances of overshot. He is new to the range and asks for a few clarifications on range safety, and we chat on the subject. I make a point to mention to him that people will sometimes walk between our berms, so he should use his vantage point to keep an eye out just in case. He leaves to go back up to his perch.
At this time we’ve got the range to ourselves except for the rifle shooter on the far left and above us. I set up our targets, go over the safety steps again, pause, go over the safety steps again and let fly two rounds. I hand the pistol over to my wife, she loads the magazine, drops the action, squares up on the target, and takes a deep breath. Her finger slowly starts to slide down the frame and BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!...she doesn't fire a shot.
Someone had walked onto the field from our left and started mag dumping on a target someone else had left behind.
It threw the two of us off a bit--not so much because we should have been paying attention, but because he came out of nowhere.
I walk over to the stealthy magdumper as he reloads and inquire about the possibility of a brief pause while a new shooter does a couple controlled pairs, as his rapid fire startled her. “Sure, I guess,” he states, dripping condescension and displaying the sort of smirk one reserves for pathetic idiots. I walk back over to my wife to restart the drill, but she is done for the day. So am I, for that matter.
We grab our stuff and leave.
On the drive home I started to wonder why the incident bothered me. Was I in the wrong? Was he? Was there even any need for this? Giving people the benefit of the doubt sometimes leaves you questioning your own judgement, but it was starting to seem like I was not the hothead here. The realization dawned about the time my wife asked what was bothering me, so I was able to give her an answer:
"Well," I said, "did you notice that when we went onto the range we approached from the left, towards the people on the right? We stopped to make sure they saw us, we made conversation and we got an all clear from them. When the platform shooter wanted to shoot to the left berm, he came down from the perch, approached from the left and did the same. Its not that we are all one big, friendly, gun-loving family--it's basic safety protocol. You always alert other shooters on the range to your presence, as they can’t hear you with their ear protection on, and might not see you.
"It’s not a big deal to do mag dumps on the range, but when someone is showing someone else how to shoot it’s probably not the greatest idea. As shooting enthusiasts, we all know how hard it is to get more legal owners into the fold, so why do something to scare them off? It’s not just courtesy; it’s teaching and self preservation by bringing new people into the sport.
"It’s not a big deal to ask how things are done on a range and then follow that protocol. I'ts not a big deal to share the range with someone else.
"But to move into someone else’s blind spot, start doing mag dumps, and not even check the left berm to see if there is someone shooting to your own left…that's a huge deal."
After thinking the matter over, here are some of the more acceptable things we can do on the range. Call it etiquette, call it safety, call it whatever you want--just be sure to call it to mind when you are next at the range.
1) Know your target and what is beyond. This is important as you do not want to shoot over the berm, nor shoot at something that may ricochet towards yourself or someone else. Your ability to safely place a shot depends entirely on knowing where your shot will go.
2) Co-operation among all shooters is paramount. If you feel unsafe, or uncomfortable, use your head and your feet and leave. Someone breaking the general rules likely does not have your or their safety in mind.
3) If you must go forward the firing line, ensure all other shooters are aware of your actions.
4) Don’t be afraid to yell, “CEASE FIRE”.
5) When your weapon is not in use, reholster pistols or lock long guns' actions open. Be sure that those around you can see that the action of your firearm is open and that the firearm is pointed in a safe direction.
6) Shoot from established safe spots.
7) Shoot straight. This goes back to the first rule: Shooting at an angle is only asking for trouble unless you are alone on the range and doing a drill, and even then you should exercise extreme caution.
In the end, our day was not a total loss. A bad example can teach just as well as a good one, and sometimes in ways words cannot express.
So, to the inconsiderate and unsafe individual with whom we briefly shared the range: Thank you for your example.
Ever so often the wife and I hit the range together. She is by no means a shooter: She’s not interested in firearms or their history, and up to a point she doesn’t really care for them at all. But as a protective mother with little ones in the house, she acknowledge firearms' place in the world. So every three of four months we somewhat begrudgingly hit the range, go over safety, go over a quick drill, and get back in the car.
Why am I telling you this?
Well, last weekend we went out to the range together. Since she’s a new shooter, she is still timid and shy with her shooting (despite being a great shot). We arrive and wait for the range to clear a bit before we gather our things and head down to the shooting berm. As we approach there is a group on our right who are starting to pack up. I wave at them, confirm that they are done, and we all make small talk for a moment as they pack up and move out.
As we hit the berm another gentleman walks down from a rifle stand on the far left and asks about his shooting lane and the chances of overshot. He is new to the range and asks for a few clarifications on range safety, and we chat on the subject. I make a point to mention to him that people will sometimes walk between our berms, so he should use his vantage point to keep an eye out just in case. He leaves to go back up to his perch.
At this time we’ve got the range to ourselves except for the rifle shooter on the far left and above us. I set up our targets, go over the safety steps again, pause, go over the safety steps again and let fly two rounds. I hand the pistol over to my wife, she loads the magazine, drops the action, squares up on the target, and takes a deep breath. Her finger slowly starts to slide down the frame and BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!...she doesn't fire a shot.
Someone had walked onto the field from our left and started mag dumping on a target someone else had left behind.
It threw the two of us off a bit--not so much because we should have been paying attention, but because he came out of nowhere.
I walk over to the stealthy magdumper as he reloads and inquire about the possibility of a brief pause while a new shooter does a couple controlled pairs, as his rapid fire startled her. “Sure, I guess,” he states, dripping condescension and displaying the sort of smirk one reserves for pathetic idiots. I walk back over to my wife to restart the drill, but she is done for the day. So am I, for that matter.
We grab our stuff and leave.
On the drive home I started to wonder why the incident bothered me. Was I in the wrong? Was he? Was there even any need for this? Giving people the benefit of the doubt sometimes leaves you questioning your own judgement, but it was starting to seem like I was not the hothead here. The realization dawned about the time my wife asked what was bothering me, so I was able to give her an answer:
"Well," I said, "did you notice that when we went onto the range we approached from the left, towards the people on the right? We stopped to make sure they saw us, we made conversation and we got an all clear from them. When the platform shooter wanted to shoot to the left berm, he came down from the perch, approached from the left and did the same. Its not that we are all one big, friendly, gun-loving family--it's basic safety protocol. You always alert other shooters on the range to your presence, as they can’t hear you with their ear protection on, and might not see you.
"It’s not a big deal to do mag dumps on the range, but when someone is showing someone else how to shoot it’s probably not the greatest idea. As shooting enthusiasts, we all know how hard it is to get more legal owners into the fold, so why do something to scare them off? It’s not just courtesy; it’s teaching and self preservation by bringing new people into the sport.
"It’s not a big deal to ask how things are done on a range and then follow that protocol. I'ts not a big deal to share the range with someone else.
"But to move into someone else’s blind spot, start doing mag dumps, and not even check the left berm to see if there is someone shooting to your own left…that's a huge deal."
After thinking the matter over, here are some of the more acceptable things we can do on the range. Call it etiquette, call it safety, call it whatever you want--just be sure to call it to mind when you are next at the range.
1) Know your target and what is beyond. This is important as you do not want to shoot over the berm, nor shoot at something that may ricochet towards yourself or someone else. Your ability to safely place a shot depends entirely on knowing where your shot will go.
2) Co-operation among all shooters is paramount. If you feel unsafe, or uncomfortable, use your head and your feet and leave. Someone breaking the general rules likely does not have your or their safety in mind.
3) If you must go forward the firing line, ensure all other shooters are aware of your actions.
4) Don’t be afraid to yell, “CEASE FIRE”.
5) When your weapon is not in use, reholster pistols or lock long guns' actions open. Be sure that those around you can see that the action of your firearm is open and that the firearm is pointed in a safe direction.
6) Shoot from established safe spots.
7) Shoot straight. This goes back to the first rule: Shooting at an angle is only asking for trouble unless you are alone on the range and doing a drill, and even then you should exercise extreme caution.
In the end, our day was not a total loss. A bad example can teach just as well as a good one, and sometimes in ways words cannot express.
So, to the inconsiderate and unsafe individual with whom we briefly shared the range: Thank you for your example.