… slowly raises hand … that would be me. Fortunately I was raised around guns and hunting. Safety was the #1 rule taught by my dad 30 years ago. some people play golf, I like to shoot. I absolutely despise unsafe shooters and will not go to certain ranges because of them.
I hope the discussion with the range master was a wake up call to this person, but I doubt it.
One of Murphy’s Laws is appropriate here, “Left to themselves, things go from bad to worse.”
Given Human nature AND the Law of Averages, you are bound to find, in any group or population, that a percentage of that group, is going to have lumps on their heads from walking into walls.
With the proper approach, giving a little instruction to someone can go a long way in keeping not only them safe, buy yourself safe. I’ve spent a half hour with a random stranger at the outdoor range on many occasions and I’ve had many that are very thankful. Just start out with a kind “New gun? Is it your first?” and take it from there. If they’re just an asshat, pack up and leave. If it’s their first gun, think of how much safer they’ll be with just a little instruction. Who knows, you may not save their ass, or your ass… but perhaps their little childs life when he gets home to clean his new gun.
Just because some of us here have been behind a gun for the past 30 some odd years in one form or another, doesn’t mean everyone has been. They deserve a good start, just like the rest of us had (hopefully).
While I understand your point and there’s much truth in it, I’d say this: I’ve been a cop for 21 years and have spent LOADS of time training with weapons. I guarantee you that there’s a boatload of “9-5 'ers” here and other places who would absolutely clean my clock when it comes to shooting skills.
I don’t think you meant it that way but the comment comes off as a little disparaging to those “8-5 guys” as you say.
Here, here. I completely agree. Good for you. And for the Range Master who took the time to help the guy out. I can say that after working in the Security industry and in Law Enforcement for over 17 years. Range Safety will ALWAYS be a major issue.
I think people should be appluded for trying to help-out new and/ or ignorant shooters (If they are ameable to it). New shooters will be the life blood of our sport/ traditions.
I completely agree with Zhurdan. Many of us forget that we were new shooters, once upon a time. Safety is always paramount when it comes to realistic training or just shooting in general. I cannot begin to recount the idiots I have personally run across. And sadly, some have even been in LE or military.
Case in point, I have seen many a Police locker room without mysterious holes/ perforations in the ceiling/s or in the lockers themselves from a gun accidently “going-off”. Or, been handed a gun that was supposedly ‘UNLOADED’. But, my favorite is to turn around and see a collegue/ “friend”, pointing a gun at my back.
Safety is a serious issue which we should all try to remember.
Give the guy a break. Yeah, he may truly be an idiot. But, maybe he is a new shooter who needs some help.
SkiDevil
P.S. IrishLuck, Not all of us from KALIFORNIA are unsafe. I have rented a few machine guns in Vegas and managed to keep my muzzle and all of my rounds downrange.
Don’t paint one picture for all of us!
Not my intention 
Several of those Kalifornians are very good friends of mine after spending a few years there
At least the guy recognized his ignorance and is willing to receive instruction. A total Dummy would never admit he needed help nor accept it, he should get one point for that alone.
Ha! Ha! I was just kidding around. 
No Worries.
I love VEGAS. You are lucky that you get to live there. I hope to do so at some point in my life as well.
K, I’ll fess up.
I work the grave-yard shift so I get a kind of jet lag effect when attending ‘normal people stuff’ after 2 hours of sleep.
At class, my head must have gotten real dumb and I walked past someone’s muzzle (his rifle over his shoulder, muzzle up) which is basically sweeping myself with someone’s rifle.
I still feel REALLY REALLY retarded even after more than a year. :mad:
I’m going to second this but too a degree. The above guy was a real moron, and I have little respect for someone that knows they are ignorant but is to prideful to ask for help, but I also understand how difficult it is getting into a new hobby.
Since moving to NY I find myself spending the majority of my time shooting with people I meet here to consist of training them on how to safely operate their (or my) guns, how to properly fire, ext. I can’t blame someone that has never been taught the proper way to shoot for this failure in their up bringing. I have had to yell loudly at times, and I have been a real d*ck to people that I consider friends, but these people own guns (or like shooting) and need to be taught.
I must admit though I do miss the days of being back west in Wyoming or Oregon when I could hand a gun to a friend and all they needed was the round, and me to point out the safety, and the action and they were GTG and safe.:mad:
Agreed.
I travel well out of my way to avoid these people. The way I look at it, I just set aside the entire day for shooting. Sometimes we even bring a mini grill and have a cookout 
What part of Wyoming? I live in Wyo… the greatest place on earth.
It is more common to run into someone that does know how to handle a firearm than someone to doesn’t, but they are out there to be sure! Recently (past 8-10 years) there’s been an influx of people into the oil/gas/mining fields (not quite as many as the boom in the 80’s) and I tell you what… there are some scary individuals out at the old shootin’ hill! Beer in hand, they’ll start blasting away with some .500 handcannon, barely hitting the side of the hill. You don’t even DARE ask them to wait until you pack up and leave, you just toss your crap in the back of the truck and roll out, put it all away later.
Like I said earlier though, it’s been fairly rewarding to help a few new shooters cut their teeth. Even got one to switch his political party
Don’t feel bad. I can relate. I worked graves for just over 5 years. I can sympathize with the ‘Jet Lag Effect’. As a matter of fact, two of the few accidents I was involved-in occurred after working said shift on the drive home. No more graves for me.:eek:
SkiDevil
Actually I don’t want any felons violent or not owning guns and thankfully the law agrees. I wish they would require some training for new gun owners. But unfortnuately such a program would get missused by the government.
Pat
I didn’t make the quote. I read it on one of the boards years ago, and saved it. Ive got 12 years in, and wish i was an 8-5 guy sometimes haha
He probably shouldn’t have any sharp knives either!
A good range safety briefing, whether written or verbal, should take care of the unsafe handling part. Common sense and exercising sound judgment however, remains elusive for many folks, regardless of how much training they’ve had.
I grew up in Rock Springs, but I consider the entire western part of my state home. I am seriously considering going back, but one thing that is making me reluctant are the @ssholes you described above. But, I will return one day.
I do agree though that it is rewarding helping people cut their teeth, today though I’m off to the range with my Dad before he flies back to Asia for another six months. First time with an AR for him, but he’s the one that taught me to shoot. Can’t wait!
So you’re okay with a guy who gets a felony for dumping oil on his own ground having his rights taken away?
Think for a minute before you say things like that.