Who would you go shooting with???

[redcliff]

I have no issue taking the lead and teaching a newcomer basic safety. But, I form a judgement in my mind about a person and whether they are trainable of not. I feel my neighbors attention span is way to short to concentrate on his own safety much less mine, and the others they are just way out in left field. My son in law had never shot a gun, I took him with me, because, 1. He's really level headed and is willing to learn 2. I wanted another shooting partner if he liked it. Just not willing to risk my safety if I'm not comfortable with that person in general day to day activities.

I think this is very reasonable approach and I do the same thing.

It has nothing to do with being AR or trying to be superior to people, its the fact that safety should be everyone's concern and the consequences of not following the safety rules can be life-ending.

New shooters don't know what they don't know about safety. It's our job to guide them and ensure their shooting experience is a safe one for everyone involved.

[voiceofreason]

My question to the others is how come you don't say anything to the person being unsafe rather than packing up your stuff and going home?

1. I don't know them. They're strangers to me, as I am to them. I also have no authority over them in any manner.

2. They are holding a gun.

3. They may not be receptive to "help", and the situation may escalate to something bad. I try to avoid such situations.

4. This took place at a proper range. The rangemaster was notified and they received a brief safety lecture.

5. If the people seem like they would be receptive to a kind word, I've always done so.
These 2 morons did not seem receptive, nor were they respectful of the people around them. They were too busy laughing and taking video of each other shooting a gun they clearly did not have much experience with.

[voiceofreason]

I would not want this mentaility in my unit.

Situational awareness and being able to read a situation before it goes wrong (as much as possible) is critical and action in the face of danger is even more critical.

All I'm saying is if you see the opportunity to help educate someone,....especially in the name of safety of yourself and others AND good reputation of our "sport"

I appologize for presuming that you were and expert. I thought I read your statement as "if someone can't follow your direction as a range master...". Most Range masters are there to enforce AND educate, not just enforce and admonish.

When I do go to the general public ranges I usually take someone who is less experienced or not experienced at all so that they can have a postitive and learning experience.

In your "unit", there is authority to make changes, you know them, and there is a chain of command. With strangers that don't seem friendly or receptive, none of the above circumstances exist.

I DO help people. That seem willing and receptive to help. That are willing and choose to follow basic safety rules.

Some people just don't take well to criticism from a stranger. They perceive it as a threat or challenge. I've done that dance too many times to bother anymore.

Most official range masters are paid to be there and do their job. Part of their job description is to educate.

When shooting with groups over 4 shooters or with beginners, I'm usually the designated range master.
In such a case, I'm working with people that are capable and willing to follow range commands/basic safety rules.

I was taught that EVERYONE present is a range safety officer at all times. Anyone can call a cease fire for any reason.
HOWEVER, this presumes that everyone is on the same page.

Not everyone wants to be educated. Especially by a stranger that might be pointing out in front of his buddy/buddies that he's doing something unsafe. No matter how gently or politely.

I take new shooters to the range with a .22 rifle w/ a mounted red dot and let them have a great time. Then end the day with a few mags of 9mm handgun.

I'm willing to shoot with, educate, work with, help people that are open to it.

Not everybody is.

If at a range with official range masters... I let them handle it as it's their job.

[j411701]

You carry a loaded Glock while hiking

[jbush]

The issue of dealing with strangers at a range or hunt is way different then the "who I would shoot with" debate. I feel I'm a pretty good judge of people and if their behavior away from guns makes me think they might be a hazard with a gun, I refuse to go shooting with them to find out the hard way.

The stranger at the range thing is a personal choice also. I have been at the range where the RO talked to the guy next to me 3 times about not pointing his pistol sideways at cease fires. I didn't pack and leave, but I did change to a different safer bench. On the 4 time the RO ask him to leave.

Shooting around or with strangers is a tough call. An acquaintance went dove hunting on an indian reservation along the Nev Cal state line. No license required, you can rent a shotgun, pay the fee and your given a spot to hunt along the river. While they were experience hunters, a few 100 ft down river was a group of students with, what turned out to be no experience. Somehow one of the students swung his gun about 105 degree from straight ahead and fired the shotgun, hitting this guy in the face. He was airlifted to Vegas and they saved his eye and ear. A little reconstructive surgery and most of the injury doesn't show. He was lucky he only got stuck with the airlift bill and so med expenses his insurance wouldn't cover, and not a funeral.