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Expedition Master III
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Once again it has happened. At an OB event a member was showing bad gun ownership. Long time followers of this thread can see what happened at another event I attended a few years back with poor firearms ownership. I don't really care if you carry a gun or not. That's your own business and I'm not going to butt in on it. When you pull it out and start pointing it around without regard to the others around you then it does become my business. But for a second time at a OB event I was witness to firearms being handled in a manor that would get you kicked out of a firing range. I was sitting in a chair enjoying the view and a few members had been talking guns. On of the people disappeared for a bit and showed back up with his pistol in hand and was showing off it's features to another member when in his eagerness to please I had the weapon inadvertently pointed at me. I exploded into a loud protest to have him point the weapon away from me. He told me it was unloaded. (this is never a proper response to pointing a gun at someone) I told him I didn't care and to put the gun way if he couldn't handle it properly. As a gun owner myself I NEVER pull it out to show it off. I was taught from a very early age that you don't show your hole card. What is even more disturbing is that he was ex military. Of all the people who should know how to handle a weapon it should be him. He did come up and apologize to me in person for the incident but that was little comfort. I believe he should have been asked by the Rally Point organizer leave the event. I did not organize the event but If I had I would have asked him to leave. What are your thoughts on this type of negligence? Am I overreacting? @Kent R @Michael
that's the thing being ex-military. i was on subs in the navy and i definitely carry where ever i go....
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Enthusiast III
9610
Explorer I
I didn't scream at this gentleman....I protested loudly....I'm not really a screamer....but I get your point....education is the key...I just feel that at OB events weapons should not be taken out unless there is some clear and present danger that warrants it. I will neither confirm nor deny whether I had one of my weapons on me or near me. That is really no ones business but my own. I feel an OB event is no place to be taking out a weapon for show and tell. At a previous event someone left a gun on their bumper ( I guess it was just too uncomfortable for him to carry it properly) and pulled away for a day trip. Came back and he couldn't find his weapon. Then it was found by someone who had never handled a fire arm and was pointing it around asking who it belonged to. This all happened within yards of a playground. So I've seen this mishandling at events twice now. I'm just hoping that it doesn't happen a third time and someone is severely hurt or killed. I have often witnessed gun owners treating their weapons way to casually. This disturbs me more than anything.Nobody likes being swept with a muzzle, it happens all to often. But rather than blow up at someone, try calmly explaining that they are being reckless. I am glad that the offender apologized to you, but he or she could have just as likely, fired the weapon accidentally upon being startled. I have, as a regular practice, 2 firearms in my possession at most times. I do not ever when I plan to drink spirits as an example. However when the topic of firearms comes up in casual conversation, I am not afraid to show someone who asks what might be on my hip once I am comfortable with them. I will even allow them to handle it once it has been properly cleared. No one has ever known I carry a backup until now. I also think it is important to teach the uninformed and often ill informed, about firearms and bring new people including children into the shooting sports. Most any non criminal can acquire a weapon, Hell, I bought my first rifle at Kmart on my 18th birthday for 75 bucks(I'm 52 now). But the purchase of a firearm does not as a matter of course, come with a mentor to teach you proper firearm handling. Millions of weapons are out there and I would warrant that a sizable chunk of them are in the hands of the untrained. Instead of screaming at someone, you should be educating them. Just my 2 bits.
Enthusiast III
9610
Enthusiast III
Member III
20468
This is unfortunately a mistake many folks make, assuming because someone wore a uniform (police or military) they know anything about weapons. I did fire arms instruction for rifle and pistol for the better part of a decade, I saw so many messed up situations with people who should know better. Ammo in magazines backwards. Trying to put mags in upside down or backwards. Flagging everyone. Not to mention the amount of firearms myths that pop out of the military in general.
Enthusiast III
The main issue of this post is the very wrong idea that all military vets should be a firearms expert. It is simply not the case. Like cops, they qualify in basic training and then only once every 6 months with a rifleOnce again it has happened. At an OB event a member was showing bad gun ownership. Long time followers of this thread can see what happened at another event I attended a few years back with poor firearms ownership. I don't really care if you carry a gun or not. That's your own business and I'm not going to butt in on it. When you pull it out and start pointing it around without regard to the others around you then it does become my business. But for a second time at a OB event I was witness to firearms being handled in a manor that would get you kicked out of a firing range. I was sitting in a chair enjoying the view and a few members had been talking guns. On of the people disappeared for a bit and showed back up with his pistol in hand and was showing off it's features to another member when in his eagerness to please I had the weapon inadvertently pointed at me. I exploded into a loud protest to have him point the weapon away from me. He told me it was unloaded. (this is never a proper response to pointing a gun at someone) I told him I didn't care and to put the gun way if he couldn't handle it properly. As a gun owner myself I NEVER pull it out to show it off. I was taught from a very early age that you don't show your hole card. What is even more disturbing is that he was ex military. Of all the people who should know how to handle a weapon it should be him. He did come up and apologize to me in person for the incident but that was little comfort. I believe he should have been asked by the Rally Point organizer leave the event. I did not organize the event but If I had I would have asked him to leave. What are your thoughts on this type of negligence? Am I overreacting? @Kent R @Michael
Influencer II
Influencer I
Very well put! Yup! Hockey sticks and baseball bats can come in handyOur Jeep is less than secure with it's soft top on. Bringing a shotgun along for the ride creates headaches for the storage of it at night or when away from the vehicle. I'm in Canada, our laws state that it has to be (ambiguously) 'safely stored'. Also, handguns are not permitted outside of your residence or an approved gun range, unless you are one of the very few fortunate enough to have received the rare-as-unicorn-teeth blessing of a permit.
A knife, sure - no problem. Bear spray, same thing. An axe or hatchet, yep - they're good to go. A big problem for us is if you are ever asked why you are carrying something. Self defense seems to be frowned on here, in general. As a tool, no problem. Confused??
A large flashlight or even a hockey stick, no one would cast a second glance!
My only real bit of advice is to know the laws of the areas you are traveling. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
Influencer I
Hahahahaha....sometimes I wonder how we make it!Jumping up and down and screaming like a banshee though.... definitely the way to go about it!
Enthusiast III
3521
How many pounds would they be if loaded?that's the thing being ex-military. i was in the navy and i definitely carry where ever i go....
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Enthusiast III
Contributor III
Enthusiast III
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Enthusiast III
Explorer I
Just one? ;)If I'm going to be way out in the boonies for a while, I'll pack a long gun as well.
Enthusiast III
Motion detection lights, That is something to add for surea gun is good, also good to have motion detection lights around your tent/camper and if the area is really creepy....i will put a couple tacks in the wife's shoe so if we have to suddenly run for our lives in the middle of the night, i figure having that extra edge cant hurt...