Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
I've noticed something I find interesting.
I don't stay in motels or hotels very often, but when I do, I typically hit up the hotel bar if there is one. If not, I pick up a few supplies. I have a very difficult time sleeping outside of my own home, so a bit of whiskey or beer helps me relax.
Twice now I've been in a hotel bar and met someone involved in the firearms industry. The first time was in Boulder, CO about three years ago. A gentleman sitting on the other side of the bar noticed I was wearing an FNH hat and came over and said hello. As it turns out, he was the president and CEO of Hi-Viz Sights, the fiber optics sight company. He was a nice gentleman, and we had an interesting conversation about carry laws, the firearms industry, and carry philosophy. Another guy about my age who was a bit more liberal chimed in and it turned into a friendly debate. After two hours, I realized I needed to get to bed, and I left them to their beer and discussion.
This past Saturday I was in a hotel bar after driving for 9 hours. A gentleman at the bar was asking the bartender and I about the area and the state. I shared what I knew of the other side of the state where I live, and some of the experiences I had there. He asked what I did and I told him I'm a professional forester and silviculturist. He was fascinated and it led to the natural question of "Do you carry a gun for work since there are animals running around?" That question led to a long conversation between he and I, and a trucker entered the conversation as well. It of course became a debate as the trucker was a bit more gun control friendly than I and the other gentleman. As it turns out, the first gentleman I was talking to was a gun author named Robert Rangel. He's written two books. His latest is called "The Red Dot Club" and is a detailed description of what it is like physically and mentally for a cop when they are shot by a criminal, and all the tinny things that happen in between the seconds of that violent encounter.
He was an interesting and pleasant individual to talk to and had a different perspective than my own, as he is a retired L.A. detective. By the way, I haven't read his book so I'm not trying to promote it or anything. I'll probably order a coppy though, as I found his insights interesting.
So anyway, have you had any interesting encounters with people in the firearms industry, or legal profession, gun author community, notable competitive shooters? Anyone notable?
It makes sense to me that these things happen in hotel bars as people tend to say exactly what they are thinking, since they will likely never see each other again. They also tend to have interesting random conversations about their jobs, where they live, what they've done and seen, and all sorts of things. It makes me want to hang out in hotel bars more frequently just to see who I might meet.
And remember, I'm talking about random chance encounters where you never expected to meet said individual. Not incidences where you met them at a gun show, or at a meet and greet. You'd expect to meet them at those venues.
I don't stay in motels or hotels very often, but when I do, I typically hit up the hotel bar if there is one. If not, I pick up a few supplies. I have a very difficult time sleeping outside of my own home, so a bit of whiskey or beer helps me relax.
Twice now I've been in a hotel bar and met someone involved in the firearms industry. The first time was in Boulder, CO about three years ago. A gentleman sitting on the other side of the bar noticed I was wearing an FNH hat and came over and said hello. As it turns out, he was the president and CEO of Hi-Viz Sights, the fiber optics sight company. He was a nice gentleman, and we had an interesting conversation about carry laws, the firearms industry, and carry philosophy. Another guy about my age who was a bit more liberal chimed in and it turned into a friendly debate. After two hours, I realized I needed to get to bed, and I left them to their beer and discussion.
This past Saturday I was in a hotel bar after driving for 9 hours. A gentleman at the bar was asking the bartender and I about the area and the state. I shared what I knew of the other side of the state where I live, and some of the experiences I had there. He asked what I did and I told him I'm a professional forester and silviculturist. He was fascinated and it led to the natural question of "Do you carry a gun for work since there are animals running around?" That question led to a long conversation between he and I, and a trucker entered the conversation as well. It of course became a debate as the trucker was a bit more gun control friendly than I and the other gentleman. As it turns out, the first gentleman I was talking to was a gun author named Robert Rangel. He's written two books. His latest is called "The Red Dot Club" and is a detailed description of what it is like physically and mentally for a cop when they are shot by a criminal, and all the tinny things that happen in between the seconds of that violent encounter.
He was an interesting and pleasant individual to talk to and had a different perspective than my own, as he is a retired L.A. detective. By the way, I haven't read his book so I'm not trying to promote it or anything. I'll probably order a coppy though, as I found his insights interesting.
So anyway, have you had any interesting encounters with people in the firearms industry, or legal profession, gun author community, notable competitive shooters? Anyone notable?
It makes sense to me that these things happen in hotel bars as people tend to say exactly what they are thinking, since they will likely never see each other again. They also tend to have interesting random conversations about their jobs, where they live, what they've done and seen, and all sorts of things. It makes me want to hang out in hotel bars more frequently just to see who I might meet.
And remember, I'm talking about random chance encounters where you never expected to meet said individual. Not incidences where you met them at a gun show, or at a meet and greet. You'd expect to meet them at those venues.
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