Question of Etiquette

MisterHappy

MisterHappy

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OK. I posted this situation over on another forum, and it got a good response ( and a couple of arguments going, too), so I thought I'd spread the Joy.[laugh]

Mr. Happy Jr. and I were at non-home club for a special trap clinic. Due to the bad weather, there were problems (who knew that traps needed electricity?), but the people running the event did what they could.

After the main shooting was done, as we watched from inside the warming hut, an adult picked up MHJr's gun, fumbled around for a few moments, figuring out how to close it, called for a bird and shot.

My son and I went out, and the shooter said, "This your gun? It needs cleaning."

First - it's not a "high-end" gun
Second - it DID need cleaning
Third - we were guests at the club, and the event was not a club-sponsord event, it was just the venue.

It was a tough day all around, so I didn't make a scene, though I was pissed off. One of my sayings is: "No blood, no problem, and if the blood's not spurting, still no problem."


Thoughts?
 
I would never touch anyone's gun without their permission. Here's a question though, why was the gun still outside with you guys inside?
 
If the person is under 35 I think you need to inform them of their mistake--as politely as possible. Age 35 to 65 would be as you descibed: upsetting but not worth discussing--a lost cause if they haven't learned manners by then. Over 65 would make me chuckle. Over 75, I'd give them a box of ammo to continue on with.
 
I'm with these guys. Even at green events I ask even though we all know the answer will be yes if we want to hold something.
 
I was always taught that it is a major safety issue (let alone the etiquette part) to use a gun that you do not know is safe. The other shooter had no idea if the gun was compromised or not and yet took it on himself to pick it up and fire without the actual owners in the area.

Maybe trap/skeet is different from the other disciplines, but still, this strikes me as going beyond being rude and into safety violation area.
 
I would have kindly asked him to stop using your son's property. I then would have mentioned it to whomever was running the event.
 
Major social gaffe to take another's property, use it, and then act snide.

Guy needed a dressing down, but not a huge surprise.
 
Another_David said:
If the person is under 35 I think you need to inform them of their mistake--as politely as possible. Age 35 to 65 would be as you descibed: upsetting but not worth discussing--a lost cause if they haven't learned manners by then. Over 65 would make me chuckle. Over 75, I'd give them a box of ammo to continue on with.
Click to expand...

I think you're being a bit generous with those age ranges. I would change 35 to about 50 -- if someone's being a dick, they don't get a pass on being called out unless they have their AARP card handy.
 
Rude is putting it mildly. Had this "genlteman" damaged said shotgun I'm willing to bet he deny responsability. And had he hurt himself he most likely would sue you for damages. How can anyone go thru life without having respect for other people's property? There's a word for this type of person,neanderthal.
 
I would have been a little pissed too. I can't stand when people do stuff like that either through a general lack of respect of other peoples property or lack of manners. You should have suggested that since he was last to shoot it, he should be first to clean it.

I had someone during our clubs "open to the public rifle range time" shoot at my AR-200 plate (only good for .22 rimfire) twice with a 7.62 x 54. Once hitting the bolt holding it the second one blew right through. I was at the 2nd bench/lane he was at the 8th bench/lane. I no longer go during "open to the public" times.
 
Guy was an asshat and I would have asked to him to kindly remember his manners like asking permission before handling.
 
47stages said:
Maybe trap/skeet is different from the other disciplines, but still, this strikes me as going beyond being rude and into safety violation area.
Click to expand...

If anything skeet is worse. Folks with Krieghoff or other high dollar shotguns don't like people putting their hands on them without asking. The vast majority of folks will be happy to let you check the gun out, but you must ask before touching it.
 
andyc4728 said:
If anything skeet is worse. Folks with Krieghoff or other high dollar shotguns don't like people putting their hands on them without asking. The vast majority of folks will be happy to let you check the gun out, but you must ask before touching it.
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks for the information, I have only done USPSA style matches. In that case, this guy really should have known better than to operate someone else's gun.
 
andyc4728 said:
If anything skeet is worse. Folks with Krieghoff or other high dollar shotguns don't like people putting their hands on them without asking. The vast majority of folks will be happy to let you check the gun out, but you must ask before touching it.
Click to expand...

I dont know about you, but unless I know someone, I have an issue with them picking up any of my guns without asking. Price is irrelevant. Even the bubba'd carcano that was given to me because it wasn't worth...well anything. Also goes for ammo, mags, range gear etc. I wont touch anything of someone else's (including spent brass) without asking, its just rude. If someone asks, I almost always happily offer to let them look, handle and shoot anything I've got. The only time its OK to move my stuff without asking is if its in the way of something legitimate (setting up for an event, painting, what ever) or to avoid it being damaged (might fall over, wind blew it etc) in which case I'll probably thank you.
 
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ARV said:
I dont know about you, but unless I know someone, I have an issue with them picking up any of my guns without asking. Price is irrelevant. Even the bubba'd carcano that was given to be because it wasn't worth...well anything. Also goes for ammo, mags, range gear etc. I wont touch anything of someone else's (including spent brass) without asking, its just rude. If someone asks, I almost always happily offer to let them look, handle and shoot anything I've got. The only time its OK to move my stuff without asking is if its in the way of something legitimate (setting up for an event, painting, what ever) or to avoid it being damaged (might fall over, wind blew it etc) in which case I'll probably thank you.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you posted.

My post was only commenting that in the spectrum of retentiveness about their stuff, skeet guys can be up there. I shoot skeet from time to time so no skeet shooters reading this need to take offense [grin]
 
That's unbelievable I would have laid into the guy. It doesn't matter if its your club or not. You should have walked up to his wife and kissed her on the lips and then said " Is this your wife? she needs cleaning"
 
That is one of the rudest things I've heard in a long time. I'm new to shooting sports, and even (especially?) I know not to do such a thing. what if the gun was damaged, and he'd hurt himself with it? What if he inadvertently damaged it by shooting it? Asshat is an understatement.

What *did* you do or say to him?

How old of a fella was he? Was he a range officer? Or running the event? Or just some clown who doesn't know better (but should)?
 

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