A closer walk with Thee...

[crossroads83]

This happened a while back, but I still think it's kinda funny.

A friend of mine asked me accompany him, his pastor, and his youth group to the range one Saturday. We were going out to shoot some skeet and my friend asked me to bring my Bersa .380. The pastor also brought his .22 rifle. When we got there, we went over the basic safety rules with the kids.

Rule #1: Every gun is a loaded gun!
Rule #2: NEVER point any gun at a person.
Rule #3: Obey the rules of the range.

After going over these rules and recieving some instruction from the range owners on how to handle our guns while at the range, we split up into two groups and headed to the skeet range. In the group of guys we brought, there were some who had seldom shot before and a couple of newbies as well. One of those newbies wound up in my group. As we started out on the first station, this seventh grader comes up with a over-under 20 gauge that belonged to the pastor's son. He took his first shot at the clay and as we were coaching him on his stance and grip, he swings around to face us, still holding the gun with a shot left in it! Fortunately, the pastor's son, who was the skeet veteran in our group, was close enough to push the gun away before anyone lost anything vital. We passed the rest of the stations without incident and moved over to the pistol range.

The place we were shooting had combined their pistol and rifle ranges for some reason. When we got over there, I pulled out my gun case and called the guys over. Once again I stressed the basic safety rules, especially the first two. The kids were very excited to get to shoot my handgun, so I loaded a clip and gave the gun to one of them, making sure that he pointed it down range. The seventh grader (I'm sensing a pattern developing) proceeded to fire all seven rounds and then spun around with the gun in his hand, pointing it at the crowd of guys behind him. I quickly took the gun from him and laid it on the tabe. After once again stressing the first two rules, I added one of my own:

Rule #4: After firing, lay the gun on the table and step away.

All in all, it was an enjoyable afternoon. All the same, though, there were some moments I don't want to repeat soon.

[dukalmighty]

Usually when teaching somebody to shoot I stand close enough to prevent them from sweeping the line if they start to turn with a gun leveled i will stop them and firmly say watch your muzzle

[Piney]

Greetings--

When first teaching our kidos how to shoot our pistols-

We first took them with us to a few matches. They watched how everyone carefully handled the firearms, listened to the SO and acted around one another.

Then when we went out on our own to the range, I'd only load at first just 1, then two rounds in the cllip. They got to learn how to check it for empty, load the mag, rack in a round and shoot once or twice. That way if there was a problem (sweeping, dropping it, ect) most likely the rounds were gone.


Only after a few successful trips with them shooting like this did I let them have a full mag.

[The Annoyed Man]

Perhaps I am harsh, perhaps not; but I lovingly and gently explained the safety rules to my 6 year old son the first time I ever took him to the range; and then I looked him in the eye and made sure I had his full attention before firmly explaining to him that if he ever broke any of these rules even just once, I would never take him to the range again.

I then walked him through each step of how to safely inspect, load, aim, fire, and put down his little single shot .22 rifle I had bought him. I hovered a bit and repeated to him a number times to just take his time, not to hurry, and to think about what the next step should be. I pretty much got no shooting done myself that day, but I still had a ball, and so did he. He pretty much got it all down that day as far as safety, and he was able to get off a couple of hundred rounds of .22LR.

We've gone to the range countless times ever since that first trip, and he is my primary shooting buddy. He was so proud of the little .22 when he first got it, and he was a very determined little boy - determined to never do anything that would lose him the privilege of shooting it. I'm very proud of how he turned out. When he was 14, I gave him my Ruger M77 MkII in .308, and that became his primary shooter. He's 18 years old now, and an amazing shot with his own 1911. He also owns a heavy barreled Savage 10FP-HS Precision bolt rifle in .308 now which he shoots very well too.

Teach 'em right, and it will give them a lifelong passion, and it will give you and your kid something around which to continue to forge your relationship - which is what shooting with kids is all about.

[flintknapper]

Perhaps I am harsh, perhaps not; but I lovingly and gently explained the safety rules to my 6 year old son the first time I ever took him to the range; and then I looked him in the eye and made sure I had his full attention before firmly explaining to him that if he ever broke any of these rules even just once, I would never take him to the range again.

I do not consider it "harsh" at all to make certain that each person understands the seriousness of "making a mistake" with a firearm.

I have had literally hundreds of inexperienced children and adults come out and shoot at my place over the years. We have NEVER had an accident. But, I am careful to "lay down the law" BEFORE any shooting starts.

Some folks would consider my pre-shooting speech a bit "harsh"...but I will not tolerate inattention or horseplay when using firearms. If a person makes a minor mistake such as failing to open the action or put the weapon on safe after firing they are warned (but I make it memorable). If they continue to do so...they are politely asked to leave (right then). Infractions such as "pointing a weapon in an unsafe direction" gets you expelled immediately.

Through all the years and hundreds of people....I have had to ask only one person to leave. My nephew (on my wifes side...20 yrs. old at the time) just couldn't seem to get it through his head to put the safety on a .22 rifle I had him shooting. The third time he failed to do it (just minutes after his first scolding) I deemed him incapable (or unwilling) to follow instructions. I asked him to please leave and not to ask me to take him shooting again. I have not the slightest regret about it.

The time to be "tough" is BEFORE the shooting starts. If anyone gets offended and wants to leave....fine! I find that one on one instruction and a clear and firm understanding of what is expected works very well. I also pray before every shooting session. I simply ask everyones indulgence concerning this..and have never had a complaint.

And just in case anyone thinks that being demanding concerning safety will take the "fun out of shooting", I have a veritable "waiting list" of folks that have shot with me before wanting to come back.

No Chris, I don't think you were "harsh" at all. I think you did it "just right"!