Re: Ironic, or don't we trust each other either?
I had a response all typed up and the power went out. ATH touched on some of my points.
I am a match director and RO at my club/range. I don't care if Todd Jarrett comes to a match, he will not be allowed to handle a loaded pistol while the line is cold and line commands have yet to be announced. Thems the rules and they are good rules. It fosters safe handling. I know a guy who would not join a gunclub because he took offence in being told when he could and couldn't handle his weapon. Now when the match is over we may call an open range. In that instance, those who want to practice are free to handle, load, and fire as long as they clear the weapon after they are done and insert OBI. I can't imagine anyone thinking this is a bad idea, or on the reverse thinking it is a good idea to have several loaded weapons laying around on the line. I am a member of a private range but there has to be some idiotproof measures in place. Even in a private club I have seen and been on the receiving end of some really dumb shit. My fellow MD and myself were testing some loads a couple years ago and a new member, who had been vetted, and apprised of the safety rules, swept us both with a Garand from down the line. When confronted he insisted that it was not loaded. Shortly therafter we instituted an OBI rule AT ALL TIMES. I hated the rule but voted on it because I don't want some dumb dickhole putting an M2 ball round through any part, of my less than bulletproof ass. I am sorry to tell you that not everyone is as safe inhandling a firearm as some, and that is why we have these rules.
Now the CCW guys don't worry me because he is not supposed to be handling his weapon unless the need arrises. If the need arises I am glad he is there. I can assumeif he draws he will not be fiddle farting and finger fucking a weapon, but instead have a specific target in mind. He has been trained at least minimally and at this point in the game if I am not the source of aggression I should have little to worry about. If I am near the agressor chances are I willhave pulled before that individual with less training andhe won't have to pull...I hope.
One of the matches I run is a pistol/shotgun match that is intended to make guys and gals more familiar with their weapon, and what it, and they are capable of, in a sticky situation. They still haveto clear and ground their weapon before I can call the line safe, and target setters can go downrange. If they handle their weapon while someone is downrange they are immediately disqualified. This instills the respect that a firearm deserves and it keeps liability insurance managable. One incident is all it takes to close a range, and THAT is not acceptable. So it is with that in mind that we have to eliminate the chances of an incident. Sorry if you don't like that but that is how it is. This is also why the shooting sports are some of the safest sports one can enjoy.
