Author Topic: First time and we will see. (Read 484 times)

Britt · « **on:** February 26, 2003, 05:21:16 AM »

Well I made it to my first SASS event this weekend. It was a local shoot that I was really looking forward too. I talked two other friends into going with me. We showed up and it was kind of weird but the shooting area was around back of the range. We walked back and were preparing to watch when a guy who was in the event turned and walked over to us after he got done shooting and told us that we could not watch the event with out eye protection and we would have to leave. We were the only ones their. He made us feel very un welcome. Now I have been a shooter and country boy my whole life and I have never had a fello shooter act like this before, but I am not going to let one guy, in maybe a not so good mood shoot me down, but my friends my be harder to talk in to it. I cant beleive that a group that asked people to come watch, makes no mention of glasses and would make people feel un welcome, It definatly wasnt very country of them.
Britt

Flint · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2003, 05:27:42 AM »

Sorry you felt unwelcome, but rules is rules. I know of no ranges in our area, Cowboy or otherwise that will let you shoot or watch without eye protection, and some, ear protection as well.

Britt · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2003, 05:54:02 AM »

Really, I wear it while shooting , but none of our other four local ranges requir it. So I guess I am just not use to it. We were 50 yards from anyone shooting. In all the articles that I have seen that include pictures of the crowd, no one was wearing glasses. I do understand that they are pushing safety, which I totally agree with. I just could not beleive that I could of walked into any range in the area and any guy their would welcome me to shoot with him and these guys made us feel like they were in a frat and we were not welcome.

Old Cane · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2003, 07:20:56 AM »

That sounds pretty standard in the requirements but not in that you were asked to leave. You should have been offered eye and ear protection to use while there to watch. All clubs I have been to have spares to loan, well, give in the case of the earplugs. But they just ask that you return the glasses when you leave. Sounds like leaving was the right thing to do with those guys. Find another bunch.

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2003, 08:13:42 AM »

Britt,
What part of the country do you call home? Would be interested in learning more about these un-cowboy-like people

Britt · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2003, 10:29:33 AM »

Washington state is home, near Bellingham, but I am not one to judge off one meetin. It could of been a bad day for an other wise good fellow so I will be back their next month with my proper pretection and giver another go. I just am use to all of you good old boys being so kind. The way I was raised that was kind of proper. Thanks again and I will see how she goes next month.

Greybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2003, 10:42:37 AM »

Any time you are shooting it is a good idea to have shooting glasses on. If you are shooting metal I consider it mandatory to wear protective lens. BUT a spectator 50 yards from the shooters? Nope that's not reasonable to me. Now if you were up close near the shooters I'd say sure they would be right to ask you to put on eye protection and if neither you nor they had any I could see them then politely asking you to either leave or move back to a safer distance. But 50 yards from the shooters should be a safe distance.

I've never shot on a range anywhere in the US that REQUIRED the use of glasses for shooters much less for spectators. Suggested it, requested it yes but required it? No. I've shot competition in many different disciplines for over 35 years.

Just from reading the SASS rule book I must say they do go over board on safety. Yeah I do think there is such a thing as going over board on it. Still that one tops it for me.

GB