Shooting is NOT for the Stupid (Tale from the Range)

[entropy]

This thread just makes me appreciate all the more the fact that I can walk out my back door, find out where the cattle are, so I know where not to shoot, and start shooting. When I have people over to shoot, I am the range officer, and what I say goes. Having performed as same in the Army, I am more than confident that I run a safe range. My nephew tried to prove me wrong this summer. While I and a friend were checking our Mosins' groups, the nephew picked up my Kel-Tec and popped off about 4 rounds before he heard me screaming at him to cease fire. I then just slightly quieter informed him he was done shooting for the day, and was to police up brass behind the firing line. He also got a reintroduction to the four rules, until he could recite them back to me. (No. I did not make him do push-ups. ) I believe the next time he shoots, he will be very safe, and hopefully everytime after. (My son was loading mags at the time, or he would have stopped his cousin; I am very proud of my son, he is a safe (and skilled! ) shooter.
When I shoot at my boss' house, he has a tendency to be a bit lax about safety, I usually just diplomatically remind everyone of the basics; he often has new shooters out to his farm to shoot, he's known as 'the gun guy' at work, I'm known as 'the gunsmith.' : It was at his place I had my AD, trying to take the safety off on my Mosin, , but I used it as a good example of why you need to follow the 4 rules. (Nothing hurt but my pride. , rifle was pointed safely downrange. Suprised I didn't need to change my pants afterwards, though! ) I don't really miss the ranges, except the military ones. Seen some stupid things happen there, too, though...

 

[PATH]

It is a wonder I have not had a heart attack from all the insane actions I have personally witnessed. Walking through the range house door and seeing the bolt being thrown home on a Nagant carbine pointing at my chest is one of my most memorable experiences. I hit the floor before you could say "Tom RObinson"! My firends cousin stood like a statue with a dumb look on his face and asked what I was doing on the floor. "The rifle is not loaded", says he. "Really", says I. "Let me see your rifle". Sure as death and taxes the genius had a live round in the chamber. My verbiage was not very polite. So it goes.

If you really want to have fun, work as a Range Safety Officer one day before the hunting season starts. Oh the things I have seen! :banghead: