Chris, I'm sorry but I'm having a little trouble understanding the point you're trying to make. I'm probably just dense, but your sytax can be a little tricky to follow.
Are you really saying that I and my SOs are spreading bad calls and made-up rules throughout the land? Or that northerners are less safe than southern folks?
And I've not argued, even once, that folks can or should make up rules! I find that just as frustrating and invalid as you do. In fact, I've suggested that folks SHOULD ask for a call review when something seems to be out of compliance with the book. (Just two posts back, actually.)
Not only do I carry a copy of the rule book with me, and encourage my shooters to do so as well, there is a copy in every equipment/scoring box on every stage we set up. I can't remember one rule challenge on any of our stages in the last two years at least. I think we run a pretty tight ship.
As to the question regarding a talking-to if someone gets a safety warning? First off, we run a "cold range" so the only person with ammo in the gun is the shooter on the line at the time. No discussion about scoring, PEs, or safety calls (or anything else) will take place EVER until after the "Unload, Show Clear, Slide Forward, Hammer Down, Holster, and RANGE CLEAR" commands have been given and followed. At that point, the range is as safe as it can be. If the shooter needs a short debriefing on what just happened, we can have it then without endangering anyone.
You said, "Send him home and tell the shooter why and how serious the volation, do not down play it." But I'm not just talking about a situation where they've gotten the DQ. Every once in a while we feel the need to give a "muzzle" or "finger" warning. If we have the chance and can alert the shooter that we think they're close to a danger zone, we'll warn them off. If they respond instantly and correctly, we'll proceed with the stage. If that happens, then after the "RANGE CLEAR" command we'll have a short, to-the-point chat about what we think almost happened, and make sure the shooter understands the seriousness of the situation. Far from down-playing it, this is EMPHASIZING it - and looking for recognition and understanding from the shooter. "Here's what happened. Here's the call. Do you understand? Do you have any questions?"
Of course, there are times when things happen too fast, the mistake is repeated, or are just too serious a violation, and the shooter gets the instant "STOP" command. And then they have to leave. Yeah, we're going to discuss that one with them, too. Their understanding of the mistake, and their response to the DQ will have a lot to do with whether they are ever invited back to shoot with us. That's important stuff to know.
Again, no one is loaded while this is going on. No one is handling weapons. We aren't walking away from everyone, more than a few steps anyway. If the discussion goes back and forth for more than one minute, the shooter is directed to take it up with the MD and the SO continues with running the rest of the squad. I can't imagine a safer way to handle things.
If you think this is downplaying or making light of safety issues, I think you're misunderstanding me completely. The point is to drive the lesson home in a way that the shooter understands clearly what they did wrong, understands that safety infractions won't be tolerated AT ALL, but also understands that we want them to learn to be better and safer shooters. We aren't trying to drive them away. We aren't passing personal judgement on them for their sins. It's a training moment. "Learn from this and come back next time and do it right!"
Sorry we seem to be at odds with each other. Must be a communication problem because I feel like I'm in sync with your concerns.
-Sam
