More range nonsense...

[David]

So Goalie and I are shooting with a dozen or so newbies up in the Chengwatana State Forest near Pine City on Sunday, and this car drives up. Guy and girl get out of it, and proceed to gear-up with tactical vests, thigh rigs, Nomex gloves, and M4s with more crap hanging off them than you can shake a stick at. Right away I'm thinking, "Great, Tactical Ted and his sidekick Ninja Nancy are here..."

Within a few minutes, they've swept each other and all of us countless times, and one of them even crossed behind his partner (crossing his feet while sidestepping, no less) WHILE SHOOTING. While one of them was downrange setting up targets, the other would stand there holding an M4, magazine in, obviously just itching to go.

Good grief, did some shoot-em-up movie just come out? I thought Goalie was going to go nuts he was so agitated. Finally he went over there and said something to them, and they wisely decided to just sit in their lawn chairs until we were done. We were going to pack up and leave if they didn't. I don't know that I've ever been more nervous at the range than I was this time.

[Stradawhovious]

Either Mall ninja fever, or apparently they feel they are too good for safety. Either way, I'd be nervous too.

[TC95GT]

I don't understand this type of behavior at all. A person can go shooting, wear all the tacticool gear if you want and still practice safety while at the same time have tons of fun. Why act like idiots?

I'm glad you guys said something to them instead of just leaving. Although if you had just left I certainly would understand that too. Who knows maybe it will sink in with just one of them and avoid an incident down the road.

[Andrew Rothman]

So is this a state range, or just a place in the woods to shoot?

[David]

It's not designated as a State range as far as I know, but it's a very well-used place to shoot. There's a little side area where we set-up some awnings and a grill, and made a day of it, shooting steel, clays, and standard cardboard targets. Twice while we were there rangers drove by and gave us a wave. They also have gates that can be lowered to keep people from crossing the range while shooting (there's a trail that crosses the middle), complete with signage. I'm not really impressed with the backstop, but it's safe enough as long as you're in control of your muzzle. I wouldn't be surprised if Tactical Ted tossed a few over the berm.

Now, I've got a Blackhawk vest, but I've only ever worn it during carbine or SMG classes, and a few times for paintball. I can't imagine putting that thing on for a leisurely shoot. These two obviously got off on playing the part. I'm a bit surprised that they did it when we were all around. I would have been embarrassed to be seen in a get-up like that in that setting.

[westberg]

That was you guy's, the wife and I should of came over.............. just kidding. One thought about them dressed like that is maybe and I'm not condoning their gun handling, but maybe they were getting used to the gear. Or maybe that's the only way they can shoot................ My thought is that if I decide to get rigged out with a vest or chest rig I would wear it to make sure I have it set up the way I want and it works well. Just a thought.

[David]

That was you guy's, the wife and I should of came over..............

Ha! Yeah, when I posted the original message I sort of wondered if Ted or Nancy would see it, but then again I suspect that people like that already know everything and probably don't waste time anywhere where they might accidentally learn something.

[jac714]

I don't understand this type of behavior at all. A person can go shooting, wear all the tacticool gear if you want and still practice safety while at the same time have tons of fun. Why act like idiots?

I would guess because they acted like idiots because the evidence presented strongly suggests that they are idiots.

[selurcspi]

I don't understand this type of behavior at all. A person can go shooting, wear all the tacticool gear if you want and still practice safety while at the same time have tons of fun. Why act like idiots?

I would guess because they acted like idiots because the evidence presented strongly suggests that they are idiots.

Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding....

We have a winner!

[Faust]

There is no excuse for improper gun safety, how they dress or what gear they have on is irrelavant.

However, I can see times when a tac vest at the range could be appropriate. Like David said, he wears his BH vest for carbine and SMG classes. What about if someone wanted to go to the range beforehand to get a refresher and a little bit of warmup before the class, or to go the range after to practice some of the skills learned?

[hammAR]

Come on guys lighten up, after all it was just the Effie, Mn SWAT team...............

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[ttousi]

Come on guys lighten up, after all it was just the Effie, Mn SWAT team...............

.

Is she effens wife?

[Aceq2jot]

Come on guys lighten up, after all it was just the Effie, Mn SWAT team...............

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Is she effens wife?

And here i thought your wifes name was EFFIE

[BRIT_in_the_weeds]

I thought there was a sci fu convention in town

[goalie]

I was less than happy with Ted Tactical walking back to the firing line, inserting a magazine with people downrange, chambering a round, then standing there with the rifle hanging, hands-free, from his tactical sling.

The guy kept giving me the evil eye after I told them to quit fondling their weapons when people are downrange, but f'em if they don't know how to be safe. I didn't mean to get so pissed, but that was a really, really uncool situation. I don't want to be around when someone gets shot by accident, and I don't want to get into an argument with a moron. Especially a moron with a round in the chamber.

Plus, they couldn't hit clays at less than 100 yards with rifles.