Memorial Day Cabin with the Fellows

[joshk-k]

Ok...

I've been invited to a Memorial Day weekend at my friend's dad's cabin with about 5-8 other guys. His father built this cabin by hand, no water, electricity, etc., way out in eastern OR. So the plan is to go up and have a big old weekend.

I'd like to bring at least a couple of .22s. I don't know most of the other guys who are coming, so have no idea about their firearm experience. I also know know that there will be some serious drinking going on.

My buddy who's place it is works in admitting in the ER, so he knows first-hand that drinking and guns can end up poorly, and I know that on a matter of principle (thankfully no first-hand experience.)

So my question is: If we decide to make guns a part of this weekend, what SPECIFIC rules would you make everyone abide by to maximize safety and minimize the potential for an accident? Or would you just not make guns a part of the weekend?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[XD Fan]

Could you take some of those odious little cable locks that come with new guns and make them inoperable whenever the afore mentioned drinking occurs?

 

[AirForceShooter]

Serious drinking?
Guns??

Ohhh noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo


AFS

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

i learned the hard way about groups of young men drinking and guns. lock em up and make sure you hide em too drunks are remarkably curious and stupid

 

[Ske1etor]

I can't really relate to your specific situation because the only people I hang out with are very experienced shooters/hunters and wouldn't even think of fooling around with a gun while under the influence. When I am up at the hunting lease the guns are all in plain sight and most of the time ammo is within arms reach and we have never had any type of accident. Although, since we are normally either hunting or doing some kind of work around the lease we don't normally drink very much. Usually only a couple of beers while sitting around the campfire, telling fish tales before hitting the sack.

I would suggest before introducing the alcohol into the mix let everyone in the group know that once the first tab pops the firearms are not to be touched PERIOD. Doing so will get you thrown out of the cabin with a long walk back to civilization. That is the rule at my camp and it works well. (Its only a 26 mile walk back to the closest gas station.... lol)

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Our rule is basic and agreeable to by just about anybody. When the alcohol comes out, the guns get put away.
P.S.- I think my invitation got lost in the mail...

 

[win71]

In the first place, drunks don't follow rules. And in the second place, drunks don't enforce them either. That said, I've never seen a problem with a few drinks around the camp fire after a hard day of hunting.

 

[WayneConrad]

Wayne's rule of unknown people: Do not go anywhere with unknown people without having your own way to get out of Dodge, should you decide you don't like the way things are going. Beyond a few kind suggestions, you won't have any ability to keep adults from doing what it is they want to do. You don't want to be in that spot.

So, being prepared with your own transportation, and having packed light: If people start getting stupid, a kind word: "Say, This is good hooch. Let's put the guns away while we enjoy it, k?" And should that kind word not be heeded, toss your bag in your vehicle... gently... and slip quietly away.

 

[joshk-k]

Yeah. Everything that everyone has suggested here is totally right on. It's hard to figure out exactly how to put all of the suggestions into a package that incorporates them and doesn't feel overbearing or decrease the fun of shooting at all.

I think I'll have a good talk with the host, who knows everyone and their character and traits better than I do, and figure it out with him.

Josh

 

[GlowinPontiac]

put locks on the guns when everybody starts getting drunk and then lock the guns in a closet or bedroom.

hide or lock the ammo away too. dont need to have somebody get wasted and decide to throw live rounds into the campfire.

 

[offthepaper]

I think C-daddy nailed it.

drunks are remarkably curious and stupid

also keep in mind, if there should be an unfortunate accident, you could end up on the wrong end of a lawsuit, since you provided the FA.

 

[Rokyudai]

Josh,

A good place to start is (as you have mentioned), talking with the host and getting a lowdown on the overall 'purpose' of the get together and how he thinks others on the invite list will conduct themselves.

I would make it clear to the host that you would like to intend and have a good time but will make no allowance for negligent jackassary when firearms are involved. He should get your drift.

Other than that, if something should happen that you find yourself hearing "hey 'yall watch this...and a gun is involved... CLEAR OUT to the opposite side of the cabin. The WORST thing I ever saw was a jack ass actually reenact William Tell with a cross bow on another person.... it makes me sick to think about those days..

Not to break the mood of the party, but to keep it in perspective....
You may even think to designate one part of the night that you raise a flag respectfully and have the host offer a memorial...