ColoradoMinuteMan
Member
- Joined
- May 8, 2015
- Messages
- 702
This is exactly right. People don't tend to respond well to public humiliation. It probably wasn't your intent, but those words could easily be taken as more of a chastising than trying to teach someone."please do me and all of us a favor and stop pointing that all over the store"
This probably started the whole thing out on the wrong foot. It sounds confrontational and made everyone defensive.
Probably the best bet would have been simple. "I'm sorry, but could you please point it in that safe direction while you're trying it?".
If that gets a negative response, "I just don't want you on the news saying 'It wasn't supposed to be loaded!'" and walk away.
That whole honey/vinegar insect thing you know.
It sounds like this woman doesn't have a great deal of firearms experience. It can be an intimidating experience for someone to go into a gun store for the first time, particularly for a woman because there is already a old boys club feel to many of the LGS. In all honesty it is this exact scenario that makes new people anxious enough to deter them from taking an interest in firearms. You go into this situation where you don't know all the lingo, you don't all the people, you are handling these objects that you know have the ability to take a human life. That is a lot for a newbie to process. Your fear is that any second someone is going to yell at you for doing something wrong. Chastising them isn't going to build any bridges to getting new people interested in firearms. While many may not care to be polite or educate anyone, consider it doing your part to lobby for gun rights. The more people that are interested the more ability you will have to enjoy your freedoms in the future. A smile and a "Hi there, can I ask a favor? I know you probably don't realize it, but you're pointing that gun at me. While you may have checked it...etc." Do it as quietly as you can and don't feel like you need to make an example out of them to everyone around them.
The real problem here is the store employee. If you are going to work at a gun store you better not only know how to handle guns with extreme care, but you had better get over the fear of telling people what to do a long time ago. You need to consider yourself as much of a gun safety instructor as a gun salesman. You need to learn the art of politely educating people how to safely handle and correcting them when they aren't in compliance.
All of this discussion about publicly chastising people, calling the police, shoving things were the sun don't shine and kicking people out of the store is exactly why many who would love to learn more about firearms and shooting chose not to get involved. Like I said, it can be an intimidating experience for those who don't have the knowledge. Instead of taking it as an opportunity to be offended, make a scene, or show someone how much more you know than them, I suggest extending some consideration, stand firmly but kindly behind your principles, and truly teach them as opposed to pushing them out the door.
Last edited: