by yukonjasper on Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:57 am
I had my own Grumpy Guy experience last year. A buddy of mine just bought a new rifle he was taking on an African Safari and needed to get the scope kinda dialed in so he wouldn't waste time when he got there. Anyway, I'm shooting away at the bench and he goes to the truck to continue unloading his stuff when a guy in a pick up flys into the lot behind the range, slams on the brakes to a skidding stop and starts screaming at us about people getting killed and have some common sense etc etc. I guess my buddy had placed his rifle case on an adjacent bench that was pulled back from the firing line and had unzipped the case enough to look at the scope mounts etc. I guess I need to brush up on the rules, but technically I don't think he was doing anything wrong - if he had completely uncased the rifle and loaded it behind the line I could see the concern. There were 3 other guys out there and they were even scratching their heads as to what the guy was talking about.
The fact that he had a problem with something we were doing was OK, I'm happy to have the conversation and to have someone come over to reiterate a rule or whatever, but the attitude and the tone were waaaayyy out of line. At 43 years old (at the time) I was not accustomed to be yelled at like a 5 year old. We didn't retaliate in any way, said we were sorry (for what, we weren't sure since he never did say what it was he had a problem with) and he peeled out of the lot like a fugitie. We finished our business and moved on.
That has sort of soured me of going back and I belong to the Club. I just don't want to be hassled or feel like my every move is being scrutinized and if I screw up I'm going to get yelled at like kid. If I felt like others there would understand and respect me enough to talk with me about the rules or something they saw me do incorrectly, I'd be more apt to use the place. Its almost like some members don't want you to be there so they can have the place to themselves. They run everyone else off. I guess it has worked.
Here's a message to the Grumpy people out there. Grumpy people who don't have the patience to explain their concerns should keep their mouths shut - if there is a teachable moment, use it to educate someone. If all you do is sceam, yell or try to impose your will on people without a dialog, it only comes across as grumpy and crazy.
I don't agree that the guy at the range trying to sight in his .22 was a grumpy guy - seems he made a reasonable request and when not honored, he tried his best to work with what he had. Retaliation for that request was wrong. Civility and thoughtfulness seem to be dead in this society.
The guy at the range who was bent out of shape for moving the benches was grumpy and should have been quietly and calmly told to go stand in the cormer and mumble to himself. Just because the believes that the universe he lives in should never be altered beyond his opinion, as long as it isn't against the rules, he needs to hold his tongue. The fact that these people never encounter sufficient dialog to challenge their beliefs is the reason they continue to push people around - they get away with it.
Deo Adjuvante Non Timendum - (with the help of God there is nothing to be afraid of)
Spectamur Agendo - (We are proven by our actions)
Non Ducor, Duco - (I am not led, I lead)
NRA Life Member
... most folks shootin' are quite polite.
