What Is The Most Dangerous Time For New Shooters, Mindset Changes Over Years

[wiscoaster]

The most critical time when learning any new task that requires both mental focus and manual skill and has inherent dangers is when the new learner has mastered the mental and manual basics but hasn't yet encountered and dealt with any unusual situations or unexpected faults. That's when you discover that learning is an ongoing process no matter what your knowledge and skill level. Any student that assumes they already know all they need to know is at risk when they encounter that situation or that fault that's outside their experience and skill envelope. A good student knows they always have more to learn and recognizes when they're pushing the outside edge of their personal envelope. It's at that point they either accrue more knowledge and skill by more learning, or they encounter a risk where they're basically at the mercy of their good luck, not their knowledge or skill.

(said as a former CFI, but I think applicable to the topic)

 

[murf]

when they lose respect for the destructive nature of the firearm.

murf

 

[Rockrivr1]

I believe it's when a shooter starts to think they know all there is to know about any particular shooting scenario they are involved in. Case in point, I've been shooting for years and a few years ago I attended a Steel Shoot at my local club. This shoot involved moving between positions and actively engaging targets in a particular sequence. Before the event started they had the safety brief and I was basically, yeah yeah, lets get the shooting started. One of the key things pointed out in the safety brief is to not break the 180 degree rule on the firing line. Again, I'm thinking I'll never do that. What idiot does that. Well, half way through the shoot that idiot was me. I had the gun pointed down, but I turned in a way that the gun broke the 180 degree rule and I was disqualified from the match. I couldn't believe it. I'd been shooting for years and never in a million years would I have thought I'd pull a bonehead move like that. I was embarrassed in front of my squad, which included some friends.

Overall I think it was a good thing as I was getting complacent and not paying attention to some of the basics. I think I'm a better shooter because of it. For one things I'll never do that again and now I pay attention during the safety briefs.

 

[wiscoaster]

<snip>.... I think I'm a better shooter because of it. <snip>.

Dude!!!...cool!!!

 

[mokin]

This has been a really cool thread. It would be fun to calculate the number of years shooting experience are represented here. As stated in an early post "the most dangerous time" isn't restricted to new shooters. I think it is the moment we let our judgement laps and do something that could have been easily avoided. Kind of like talking on the phone while driving... But I digress...

@Rockrivr1 I like the way you related a personal experience to this thread. There are few things that can highlight weak points in training like competition. It's good to know that you learned from the experience. Along that note, I learned while training as a search and rescue diver that if you establish "safe" habits, and it becomes a matter of record, that can be used as another level of safety, especially if comes down to an appearance in court. To relate my own match experience, I brought out a different carbine during a 3-gun match. One of the shooters leaned over to check the condition of my carbine. I watched him and said "Of course it's unloaded, its a habit!" Then I said "Thanks, you never know, I might have got distracted."

We are all learning.

 

[lionking]

I have been frightened more by ignorant novices waving guns around, but I think there is more damage done by gunowners with just enough experience to get complacent. Like the guy near here who loudly informed the USPSA RO that the USMC had taught him all he needed to know about gun handling. Moments before he mishandled his pistol and shot himself in the leg.

Had a discussion with range officers at my range one day, the most stories of being arrogant and wanting to argue with the RO'S safety rules were those that claimed to be ex cops or hunters who may spend a lot of time in the field but never much time at a range.

Have heard from them that with the mass gun buying this year by first time owners there have been a couple "instances" also.

 

[Old Dog]

the most stories of being arrogant and wanting to argue with the RO'S safety rules were those that claimed to be ex cops or hunters who may spend a lot of time in the field but never much time at a range.

Funny you should mention this; was just talking a few weeks ago with one of my shooting buddies who noted that there seem to be more and more guys out there who claim to be "ex-law enforcement" as if that validates all their strong, and often distorted, opinions on firearms. Some seem to feel that they don't have to observe the basic safety rules, as you note.

This conversation came after we'd been watching the guys lined up to zero their hunting rifles that they hadn't picked up since last deer/elk season -- always entertaining... Pretty clear that it was the first time in a year many of these guys had picked up any type of firearm.

Perishable skills, gentlemen. Gotta keep using them regularly, or lose them.

 

[lionking]

Funny you should mention this; was just talking a few weeks ago with one of my shooting buddies who noted that there seem to be more and more guys out there who claim to be "ex-law enforcement" as if that validates all their strong, and often distorted, opinions on firearms. Some seem to feel that they don't have to observe the basic safety rules, as you note.

This conversation came after we'd been watching the guys lined up to zero their hunting rifles that they hadn't picked up since last deer/elk season -- always entertaining... Pretty clear that it was the first time in a year many of these guys had picked up any type of firearm.

Perishable skills, gentlemen. Gotta keep using them regularly, or lose them.

Last month a guy next to me complained that the RO told him to keep the rifle pointed in the air as he transported it since he didn't have case for it, he said he grew up with guns and is a long time hunter and was always taught to keep it pointed down because a shot going off in the air could land anywhere, I told him but we are on concrete now surrounded by a bunch of people we are not in the field standing on dirt,and after he still wanted to argue the point lol.

My point of view is, their range their rules, why argue? Just obey sheesh.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

When guns are mixed with alcohol.

in my younger days it wasn’t uncommon for each of us to chug down a 12 pack before heading to the deer woods. Lots of days my buddy and I would split a bottle of Beam between us too while squirrel or rabbit hunting.

I’m (much, much) older now and while I still enjoy the occasional glass of scotch when shooting off the back porch, that I know what my limits are and not to exceed them.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

What do you believe to be the most dangerous time for a shooter to have an accident or do something careless?

When an overblow sense of security develops simply from owning a firearm.

I know a shocking number of people who bought guns for self defense and can't shoot worth a sht and don't seem to think it's a problem. They also think hitting the center ring in a slow aimed scenario is preparing them for an attack. It isn't.

A gun isn't a talisman to ward off evil by it's very presence. It's a tool to stop an attack definitively.

 

[P5 Guy]

When granpa is teaching shooting to the grandkiddies.
Pass on the troubling habits of 50 years.

 

[Coyote3855]

When I bought my first motorcycle, there was no readily available training. "This is the throttle, these are the brakes, here's the clutch, this is the shifter" and off I went. A savvy friend did say that the most dangerous time would be in three weeks when I thought I knew how to ride.

I think it's the same for firearms. Perhaps the most dangerous time is when one thinks they know how to handle a gun. Had a acquaintance shoot himself in the leg because he racked the slide before dropping the magazine, then pulled the trigger to disassemble his new Glock.

I've also seen complacency strike, including my own negligent discharge after 50 years of shooting.

 

[entropy]

I think it's the same for firearms. Perhaps the most dangerous time is when one thinks they know how to handle a gun. Had a acquaintance shoot himself in the leg because he racked the slide before dropping the magazine, then pulled the trigger to disassemble his new Glock.

Was he the most qualified man in the room?