[SteelyDan]

This afternoon, I was out at the farm where we hunt birds in the western part of the state. It was a ridiculously nice day (about 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky), so I skipped the afternoon hunt and stayed by the farmhouse for some target practice.

I was blasting away with an AK-47 when I noticed an old Buick coming up the driveway. The car stopped about 40 feet away, then drove up to me. I put the gun down and walked over. Inside was an older couple--probably about 80--and they were both scared silly, of me, I guess. The woman put her window down, and they both started babbling that they were old friends of "Joe" (the guy who owns the farm), they were just out for a drive, they thought they should explain why they were there, etc.

I mean, this was a very nice older couple, out enjoying the Indian Summer, and they were absolutely petrified. I tried to be extremely friendly, and told them that we had been coming out there for 30 years and that Joe now lived in town, but they just couldn't wait to "get on with our drive and leave you alone."

I'm not sure what the point of this is, but it's bugging me and I feel like there's some "message" here that I'm missing. I'm a pretty normal looking guy, and I'm sure those folks have been around guns for longer than I've been alive, but I'm also sure they won't sleep very well tonight. It was just weird, and I feel bad about scaring them, but most of all it was just a shock to see how scared these folks were by something I take for granted.

[Brian Dale]

Glad you were nice to them. For some folks, if we keep "being nice" at 'em, it'll sink in. For others, there might be no getting through. I imagine that your telling them that you'd been coming out for 30 years helped some. Talk to Joe and ask him to tell them that you enjoyed meeting them? Dunno.

[Old Fuff]

It may be that they lived nearby and weren't used too hearing shooting going on at this farm - in particular I mean if you ripped off a clip in your rifle they might have thought they'd heard a "machine gun." I'm suprised they didn't call the sheriff rather then investigate themselves.

Anyway, I think you handled the situation as well as could be done under the circumstances. Hopefully they won't be worried for long.

[Edward429451]

Sounds like to me that their curiosity was greater than their fear.

Fence sitters wantin to get a look at some guns.

[4v50 Gary]

Probably thought you were a "militia redneck" beserker who is out to overthrow the government and establish a new world order under the banner of Marxist-Leninist teachings as interpreted by PETA and the Blissninnys of the world.

[Standing Wolf]

Sounds like to me that their curiosity was greater than their fear.

Yep, and from the sound of it, they drove away with less fear, although it may take them awhile to realize it.

[Brian Dale]

I was thinking about this again last night, and imagining what fun it would have been if she'd asked to try firing your AK. :)

[SteelyDan]

Dang it! Dang it! Dang it! I wish I'd had the presence of mind to make the offer. But you're right, that is a very funny mental image.

I also like "beserker." There's a term that just doesn't get used enough today. Probably need to get some T-shirts made up...

[kentucky bucky]

You might have it all wrong, they may have been casing the joint to see if there was something to steal.:D