Disappointment at Sherburne Today

[RaleighReloader]

Early this afternoon I made my weekly pilgrimage to Sherburne to do some shooting. I've been going there every week for almost three years now, so I'd like to think that I've seen all of the good and bad to be seen at a public range.

Today really disappointed me. There was a guy there that I've seen before. I've learned to be wary of him because he doesn't strike me as having good gun handling skills; he often walks into the range with a gun in his hand, oblivious to who he might be muzzle sweeping.

Anyways, this afternoon he had something that he needed to do to one of his pistols, so he flipped open the hatch on his SUV and sat in the back of his truck fiddling with his handgun. The entire time he was doing this, the muzzle was pointed downrange ... at all of the other people shooting on the line.

I went up to him and politely told him that he shouldn't be handling weapons back there. He told me that the gun was unloaded. I told him that this was still unsafe, since he was muzzle sweeping everyone on the line. He mumbled something to me that probably wasn't all that kind. I'm not proud of the fact that I said "you're an idiot," but I simply could't believe that someone could be so ignorant of basic gun safety.

At this point I left, because I've learned that stupidity can be a dangerous thing and I didn't want to be around if something bad happened. Back in my truck, I really wondered what to do. I ended up calling LDWF law enforcement, and they told me to call the local sheriff. I turned my truck around to check and see if he was still there. When I got back, he wasn't. I decided to drop it at this point.

Anyways, I'm curious to think about how others would handle this. I've been an RSO for some years now ... and in most competitions, doing something like this would result in something between a DQ and expulsion from the organization. In my mind it shouldn't be any different at a public range.

Thoughts?

Mike

[rcm192]

I've had to grab guns out of peoples hands who are shopping for guns and shooting them on a range before because they think its funny to act like fukcing idiots. They dont expect it 99% of the time either.

The best is when a couple comes in and the wife jokes like shes going to shoot the husband. So goddam stupid. Its like lady I dont give a sh!t if you just unloaded it or if you watched me or jesus christ himself unload it. Dont ever do it again.

[RaleighReloader]

The best is when a couple comes in and the wife jokes like shes going to shoot the husband. So goddam stupid. Its like lady I dont give a sh!t if you just unloaded it or if you watched me or jesus christ himself unload it. Dont ever do it again.

A friend of mine lost his wife when she was being melodramatic one night and decided to hold a gun up to her head. Needless to say, the gun was not nearly as unloaded as she thought it was.

Honestly, I worry more about the stupidity among some gun owners than I do about gun grabbing politicians. These are the sorts of people that give us a bad name ... and the ones that the media love to put a magnifying glass on.

Mike

[dantheman]

You called LDWF Enforcement and they told you to call the Sheriff ? Typical . I haven't seen an issue yet they didn't put off on somebody else .

[DAVE_M]

I would have refrained from confronting him, left the range, and immediately began looking for private range memberships.

Although Honey Island isn’t the most spectacular place to be, it’s a prime example of why RSO’s are necessary.

That range you went to could use some RSO’s.

[sandman7925]

I only go there right when the sun is coming up.

[Gator 45/70]

Early this afternoon I made my weekly pilgrimage to Sherburne to do some shooting. I've been going there every week for almost three years now, so I'd like to think that I've seen all of the good and bad to be seen at a public range.

Today really disappointed me. There was a guy there that I've seen before. I've learned to be wary of him because he doesn't strike me as having good gun handling skills; he often walks into the range with a gun in his hand, oblivious to who he might be muzzle sweeping.

Anyways, this afternoon he had something that he needed to do to one of his pistols, so he flipped open the hatch on his SUV and sat in the back of his truck fiddling with his handgun. The entire time he was doing this, the muzzle was pointed downrange ... at all of the other people shooting on the line.

I went up to him and politely told him that he shouldn't be handling weapons back there. He told me that the gun was unloaded. I told him that this was still unsafe, since he was muzzle sweeping everyone on the line. He mumbled something to me that probably wasn't all that kind. I'm not proud of the fact that I said "you're an idiot," but I simply could't believe that someone could be so ignorant of basic gun safety.

At this point I left, because I've learned that stupidity can be a dangerous thing and I didn't want to be around if something bad happened. Back in my truck, I really wondered what to do. I ended up calling LDWF law enforcement, and they told me to call the local sheriff. I turned my truck around to check and see if he was still there. When I got back, he wasn't. I decided to drop it at this point.

Anyways, I'm curious to think about how others would handle this. I've been an RSO for some years now ... and in most competitions, doing something like this would result in something between a DQ and expulsion from the organization. In my mind it shouldn't be any different at a public range.

Thoughts?

Mike

Hey,That was you,Nice meeting yah man....lol not really
I go out there about 1 once every 2 months but only after i stop at Kartchners for boudin and a boudin ball or two,I may of seen you or spoken with you upon occasion.
I'm the help the poor guy looking for brass, Just like the corner Hobo hustling a buck.lol

[Jstudzinski]

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t on edge and extremely vigilant/ maybe even a little nervous every damn weekend when I go shoot. Like op I’ve seen just about everything from the guy who is extremely serious and professional about how he does each and everything to the Couple of kids who walk in muzzle sweeping any and everything and keeping the muzzle posted anywhere but in a safe direction or down range and even think it’s funny to point the gun at one another when no one is looking.

it seems like range officers or someone actually paying attention is almost nonexistent these days. I’ve seen a lot of things that for sure I thought a range officer would be barging in to drag someone out only to watch the person do it again and again.

in all my visits to the range I’ve only felt the need to leave early once and probably should at least a few times but againts better judgment decided to stay and just try to mind my own business. The only time I left after only being at the range for about maybe 10 minutes was when I was lucky enough to be placed in a lane next to a group of five or six people who rented a couple of guns and decided instead of actually shooting them that taking pictures for social media would be more fun. After watching them point the gun directly at one another while taking pictures, watching them take short videos of chambering rounds and then pointing the guns at the camera and muzzle sweeping everyone around a handful of times I told my self no way in hell I can stay here and shoot today with a good mind.

[Jstudzinski]

I've had to grab guns out of peoples hands who are shopping for guns and shooting them on a range before because they think its funny to act like fukcing idiots. They dont expect it 99% of the time either.

The best is when a couple comes in and the wife jokes like shes going to shoot the husband. So goddam stupid. Its like lady I dont give a sh!t if you just unloaded it or if you watched me or jesus christ himself unload it. Dont ever do it again.

dude I know you’ve seen it all lol probably just about on a daily basis. You’re probably in the running for first place of person who has had a gun pointed at him the most lol

[RaleighReloader]

I go out there about 1 once every 2 months but only after i stop at Kartchners for boudin and a boudin ball or two,I may of seen you or spoken with you upon occasion.

... and on the 8th day, God created Kartchner's!

I have a big tan shooting bag with a bright orange hunting tag holder on the end of it. If you see me there, c'mon over and say hi. I don't bite. :-)

Mike