Idiots make me nervous/uncomfortable

[One Shot, One Dropped]

**I accidentally posted this in the "Shoots, Meets and Range Stories" Forum, but I would love if the mods closed that one (if they want) because it should be here**

The more and more time I spend at ranges, the more and more I begin to doubt some of my fellow gun enthusiasts (though, I would rather not associate with them). Mainly, it comes down to people showing a major lack of gun safety making me nervous with their actions. Sometimes, though, they make me down right uncomfortable (when they put my (or other's) safety in jeopardy). Well, today it happened again.

I was at TargetMasters in Milpitas having a great time and minding my own business, when I heard a guy and his girlfriend? come into the shooting bay. I could tell that the gun they were intending to use was a rental and that they had brought none of their own (which usually makes me keep a closer eye out for them to make an error in the hopes that I can help them out). I turned around because I overheard him saying that she should follow these steps:
1. Pick up the gun, but don't squeeze the trigger yet.
2. Raise the gun up to the target.
3. Shoot
The reason I turned around was to enlighten them as to the fact that you should get a clear picture of your target before even putting your finger inside the trigger guard. Well, when I turned around, I noticed that he was about four feet behind the firing line, with the rented P2000 in his hand, and it was pointed at my back (he just wasn't aware of which way the muzzle was pointed). I clearly expressed how startled I was, and he said he was sorry and pointed the gun downward. After a second, I went back to shooting, but I turned around again when I overheard Lewis (one of the guys who works there) snap at the guy (well, not snap, but "enlighten") for doing the same thing again. I decided to pack up and leave. When I was leaving, the guy jokingly remarked "Oh, you're leaving?" (making small-talk, I guess). I quickly replied, "Yes, because of you, actually..." and left.

I know I may not have handled it in the best way possible, but I am not big (5'7" and like 115-120lbs), and I didn't want a major confrontation.

I guess, I'll open this up for comments now...

[Dark&Good]

Gee.
Everybody is sooo advanced technologically... but mentally, some ppl still need diapers.

I would've made the RM or another employee educate and guard him, otherwise that range would've lost me. What a bum, that guy.

[CitaDeL]

Because there is so much to lose, the cost so dear, it is my belief that we must confront carelessness regardless of whether or not it may hurt someones feelings or create animosity with a stranger at a gun range.

Those who do not respect firearms or the use of lethal force not only put themselves in danger, but everyone around them as well as our liberty.

If you see someone doing something unsafe, speak up- if not to the perpetrator of idiocy, then to the rangemaster. The life you save, may be your own.

[alpalwal]

I think you did just fine. I wouldn't want to be around some dumbass when he has a ND and it happens to be pointing in my direction.

[Vinz]

A better answer would have been. "Yes, I am leaving because I do not feel comfortable around you with a dangerous weapon. I have been taught that you always treat a gun like it has a lazer beam (Starwars generation) coming out of the barrel. You swept me twice so I am dead, im going home". "Can I show how to properly handel a gun"?

I heard this once at a range and it always stuck with me.

5'7" and 110lbs...you will never have to use your fists if you give your mind a chance.

Vinz

[One Shot, One Dropped]

Thanks guys!

Keep the comments coming!

By the way, Lewis is awesome. I forgot to throw that in there. He really is a great guy.

[4 Brigada]

I totally understand, and you did great . The ones that didnt pass muster were the range officers, they should have done the "enlightening". And after a safety violacion such as the muzzle control issue maybe the other party should have been asked to leave.

[devildog999]

Can't stand those people. Was at Oak Tree Gun Club when some guy threw a loaded mag in the gun and aimed it at the wall behind the employee. What an idiot. Said he didn't know he couldn't do that

[Seesm]

I think you handled it well and this is why I do not go to ranges ever. You can't fix 2 things (Stupid and Dead) So I steer clear.

[Travis8128]

instead of leaving i would have spent along time basically telling him how wrong he was and showing him the right way.

Instead of leaving him with his firearm ignorance these are the type of people we need to educate before they hurt someone and its all over the news how legal gun owners at legal ranges are killing eachother and all of a sudden everyone feels unsafe at ranges and then a ban is proposed.

you can literally stop a big chain of events from happening.

You can just call it some stupid guy that needs to learn but he and other tards at the range need to be educated. Before they kill or injure someone. Its serious stuff if you look at it that way.

I mean think, what if he does that again sometime and accidentally pulls the trigger and ends up taking a mans life.

Yes it is totally his fault be we should feel responsible because Gun owners, especially in california, are like one big sports team. One messes up and we are all punished.

I mean even the most anti gun people know there are legal ways and places to shoot a gun. And if someone gets killed at these places think what kind of bad PR this is for the gun community.

It will give the tree hugging gun fearing people an excuse to try to take our right to bear arms away.


Now i know that is a little extreme but with this Anti gun president and so many anti gun people in our lovely government we have to prevent any excuse for them to try to strip us of our rights.

Moral of the story: educate these idiots!!!!!

[dfletcher]

Thanks guys!

Keep the comments coming!

By the way, Lewis is awesome. I forgot to throw that in there. He really is a great guy.

I read that the RO already seemed to have an eye on him, but did you say anything to him (RO) on the way out about the guy's lack of safe handling? You leaving and the momo staying behind to sweep someone else doesn't seem like the best approach - maybe next time asj the RO to correct the problem for everyone's safety or you'll have to leave for your own?

[virulosity]

I was shooting on BLM land today when a van full of "gang banger kids" pulled up and started throwing rocks in the air and shooting at them, sometimes directly over the head of people in their group. I was tempted to leave, but didn't want to waste the 1.5 hours I drove out there. Luckily, there must have only been two boxes of shotshells left on the shelves at walmart and they left soon thereafter.

[bsg]

scary stuff man.

[tankerman]

Why did you post this thread in two seperate sections?

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=167953

[SubstanceP]

...but I am not big (5'7" and like 115-120lbs), and I didn't want a major confrontation.

Uhhh...God made man and gun powder made them equal?

The more and more time I spend at ranges, the more and more I begin to doubt some of my fellow gun enthusiasts.

Doubt or apprehensive? Is it their competence or intent you doubt?

I guess, I'll open this up for comments now...

Last time I went to an indoor range was in '04. A young Marine about to be deployed to Iraq was shooting in the lane to my left. He ordered another individual (who was VERY careless and placing the rest of us in jeopardy) and who was in the lane to my right to drop his firearm and exit the range. I just happened to be between them and they were approximately 10 feet apart.

WOWSER! That's the last place I want to be when a gun fight breaks out.