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What I have experienced at shooting matches
OnTheFly:
Let me preface this rant with a few statements...
* I DO appreciate all the participation from the area shooters in local matches
* As far as RO's go I am relatively inexperienced
* My intent here is not to embarrass or discourage anyone from shooting these matches
* I am ONLY asking people to take the RO's suggestions to heart and improve their level of safety
* I made the same errors, maybe even worse, two to three years ago when I started shooting the local matchesI was putting in my time to help RO at a local match. There were a few shooters who had minor safety infractions. A few were "younger" shooters who I had not met before, and they were receptive to my input. Those were positive experiences that I hope were taken the right way.
The negative experiences were only negative because I KNOW several of these shooters have frequented the same match I was RO'ing. They have had multiple comments from RO's cautioning their bad habits or lack of attention to their actions.
One of the gentlemen that sticks out in my head was at the last match I RO'd several months ago. I was recording the scores while a very accomplished shooter who I have great respect for was running the timer. After the aforementioned individual shot, we were down range scoring when one (or both) of us got fouled up on the count. I advised the other RO that something was amiss. He stepped over to me and quietly said “I DON’T want to run this guy again because he scares the CRAP out of me”. Point taken and his score was finalized. Was it fair? Probably not. Was it prudent? I think so considering that sometimes the best way to keep things safe is to reduce exposure with the hopes that the RO’s suggestions will be taken to heart.
Fast forward to the recent match I RO’d. The same gentleman was at this match. I knew how he had performed previously, so I kept my eyes glued on what he was doing with the gun. I would say that there was some improvement until after the course of fire when it came time to secure the firearm. He unloaded the firearm, but as he was reaching forward to get his gun bag, he swept his forearm with the muzzle...TWICE. Once he had the gun bagged, I pointed out what he did. In what I perceived as a slightly annoyed tone, he asked “You mean after the gun was unloaded?”. Which I took to imply that this was an acceptable act considering that the gun was unloaded. I replied with “Treat every gun as if it is loaded...right?!”. He mumbled an acknowledgement, but it was not the positive, “I made an error and will do better next time” enlightenment that I was hoping for. This has apparently been the unwavering pattern for the shooter.
Do I have a point? This is NOT an attempt to embarrass any shooter(s). It is a plea to anyone who shoots (competively or otherwise) to put serious thought into practicing safe gun handling. Especially when you receive suggestions from an RO. This is not to say that an RO is always right. However, I would suggest that MOST RO’s are in that unpaid position because they are devoted to running a successful and fun, but more importantly, SAFE match. The RO’s job is not to just run the timer and score the hits. Their primary job is to ensure the safety of the shooter and others around. The best way to do this is for the RO to actively watch the shooter's hands.
As I said in my initial statements, I have made the same, maybe even worse errors. Occasionally I still do, but what I don’t do is disregard my errors. I accept critique from others. Even if I didn't receive critique from others, I know that I need to be honest with myself about my performance if I want to get better. Often my self-critique is more critical than any I receive from others.
So how about you? Do you...
...treat every gun as if it is loaded regardless of what you “know”?
...keep your finger completely outside the trigger guard when loading, unloading, moving or when the firearm is not pointed at the intended target?
...ever sweep yourself with the muzzle?
...know the rules of the match before you show up?
...accept critique from others?
...self critique?
...strive for perfection?
You NEVER know it all, you can NEVER have sustained perfect technique, but you CAN and SHOULD strive for those goals.
Fly
gsd:
Not trying to start an argument here, but you watched him unload the firearm and verify clear, and then called him on muzzle sweeping his arm with an empty firearm you watched him unload?
I understand the concept of treat every firearm as loaded and practice it as well, but why would you do that?
dcjulie:
In the example given, this shooter should have been DQ'd. The safety rules of USPSA are very clear in this. Even though the gun was cleared, he should still have been DQ'd due to sweeping himself. I am one of the ROs who will usually give a "warning" to a newer shooter for an infraction such as mentioned, but I only give one warning. The next time its done is a DQ. I, however, DO NOT give warnings for situations that are likely to cause harm -- 180 breaks, ADs that go outside/over the berms, etc.
We RO's do volunteer our time, some of us A LOT of time, to be sure that our sport is allowed to continue in a safe manner. My thoughts on a DQ is this "if you get DQ'd, treat it as a learning experience, and don't do it again!" Is it fun to get DQ'd? NO! However, pitching a fit, arguing about it, or just plain being mean about it makes you less of a sportsman, and, frankly, less of a human being in my book.
Having said all of that -- we NEED MORE RO'S! Anyone who is shooting the matches with the ENPS at ENGC and are not ROs really should take the class. We are planning another one this spring, so if you are interested, please let me know and I'll put you on the "tentative" list. Once we get the date set from the NROI, I'll let you know and get your registration. You can messenge me on here, or send me an email letting me know you are interested in the RO class at: enpsinfo@gmail.com
NENick:
--- Quote from: gsd on October 13, 2013, 10:37:00 AM ---Not trying to start an argument here, but you watched him unload the firearm and verify clear, and then called him on muzzle sweeping his arm with an empty firearm you watched him unload?
I understand the concept of treat every firearm as loaded and practice it as well, but why would you do that?
--- End quote ---
Have you ever driven home, but couldn't remember what you did to get there? When your mind kicks into auto pilot, it follows the things you have or haven't practiced. If you don't follow the safety rules every time, what will you do when you're distracted?
Public shame goes a long way towards correcting bad behavior. If people know you're the unsafe guy that everyone needs to worry about, you'll be very uncomfortable. Whether that goes towards correction your actions or sending you on your way, we'll be safer.
I'm not a RO, but that guy needed to be DQ'ed, so that he could be publicly embarrassed.
jonm:
I watched a buddy get dq'd for that exact thing. no matter how silly it is, it's still a rule
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