I pulled this (with permission) from Jim Shepard's "The Outdoor Wire". I found it interesting and it will make me re-examine my dealings with people I meet at the range at a minimum. Anyway, here it is.
FEATURE
Commentary: Bullet Bullies
If you're aware of my role as a co-author of three controversial books on ammunition performance, you might assume this is simply a tirade against those who disagree with me. It's not and as I've said for decades, people can do one of three things with what I've done: accept it, reject it, or be like my wife and ignore it. She only gets excited twice a year when the royalty checks show up.
My need to be loved, respected, admired, or even tolerated, ends with my youngest grandchild. My Dad raised me to be comfortable being a Majority of One.
What I'm focusing on is those who either on the internet, in print, or in gun shops and on ranges, have made it their duty to ridicule, insult, demean, and otherwise verbally assault people who either disagree with them or ask a simple question.
All too many of these "experts" have established a fiefdom in cyber space and have become a Guru of ballistics or Tactics. In reality, most have them have never made a block of gelatin, never tested ammo in gelatin or any test medium. They simply steal other people's efforts and display it without credit.
And too many of the gun fighting guru's have never faced anything more threatening than a car payment. While we have a discussion forum on my website,
www.stoppingpower.net, such behavior is not tolerated and when it's attempted, the perpetrator is thrown out.
Even worse they use their "vast knowledge" by attacking those who ask questions or express an opinion. We are under attack by the current administration and its need for total control. If there was ever a time when all gun owners need to stand united, it is now. These cyber fools are driving good people away by their ridicule of innocent questions.
We ought to be mature enough to be capable of disagreeing without being disagreeable. Even more important, we ought to be able to defend our positions and views without resorting to insult, profanity, and ridicule.
I was recently at a local range with one of my grandkids when a 5.11 and Oakley clad individual came over and start giving unrequested advice that was of no value and wrong. I interrupted him and asked, "Are you a Department of Energy Firearms Instructor? Were you a contract Training Specialist for the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Secure Transportation? We're you the original Training Sergeant for the Detroit Police Department's Special Response Team?" When he responded in the negative I pointed out that I had been and he could take his advice somewhere else.
Now what impact would such boorishness have had on a brand new shooter or perhaps some one who was present on a range for the first time and wondering if they might want to own a gun? We need to grow up and become more inclusive so that we can keep our Second Amendment rights. Let's take a moment to answer what we might consider silly questions. We need to correct misconceptions, but such correction can be done in a kind, thoughtful, and friendly manner. After all, each of us started our interest in guns and related tactics with an empty basket. How many people are no longer gun enthusiasts because instead of filling their baskets with accurate information, they filled it with trash?
- Evan Marshall
Marshall is, as he mentioned above is qualified to speak to unwanted - and error-filled firearms advice on handguns, training and tactics. He's also author of a three controversial books on bullet stopping power (Handgun Stopping Power, Street Stoppers, and Stopping Power) and hosts a website for information on bullet stopping power, self defense, concealed carry and firearms performance information (
www.stoppingpower.net).
