Posted: 4/24/2011 12:25:05 PM EDT
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To share a story.
Three Dads wanted to bring our boys (8-10 years old) to Leeds this Easter Morning and expose them to firearms and their safe use, one of which was a retired LOE. Although none of us are certified NRA Instructors we do know enough to be safe and how to explain their safe use to an 8 year old, which is entirely different than lecturing to a 35 year old. As a certified youth instructor I do know this. Two of us are CWP holders and I have completed the Hunter Safety Course even though I do not hunt. Well to sour the experience for a parent (one of the other Dad's) that had just bought his two sons a Ruger 10/22 and to four boys that are looking forward to growing in the sport a local Rock Hill based CWP Instructor felt it was improper to bring the boys to the range to teach them about the sport and to hopefully give them the experience to curb their natural curiosity and to not to be a victim of a gun accident in the future. He verbally made the comment so. I find it a shame that a gentleman that is obviously so active in the Firearms industry and sports the NRA and other Gun Rights Organizations on his truck as well as the signage for his business would have an issue with promoting and furthering the sports interest in a safe manner to the new generation that will eventually make the decisions of Gun Ownership rights in the future. I bring this to the attention of fellow Hometown forum'ers in hope that next time we or another father tries to bring his son into the sport that you might be the guy on the bench next door and realize that these young guys are important to the sports future and just because they did not pay the price to go to an ADULTS cwp class that they still have the right to be at the range as long as they are safely and properly supervised especially a public range. If ever a local Instructor offers a reasonable course for pre-teens my son and daughter will be there. Until that time my choice is not to educate them or do so myself. Thankfully there were two Gentleman there that were patient and seemed to sincerely enjoys the boys. They engaged them in conversation and applauded their accurate shots. Thankfully they showed the spirit of the sport to the boys. to them Thank You and Well Done. If I am wrong in this please accept my apology. If I am not please show hospitality to the bench next door so long as the rules are safely obeyed. |
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Quoted:
a local Rock Hill based CWP Instructor felt it was improper to bring the boys to the range to teach them about the sport and to hopefully give them the experience to curb their natural curiosity and to not to be a victim of a gun accident in the future. He verbally made the comment so. Silly Dad you don't take people to a shooting range to teach them how to shoot. That's like taking someone to a golf course to teach them how to play golf or to a ski slope to teach them how to ski or tennis courts to teach them how to play tennis. 
Seriously though good for you and the other dads for wanting to teach firearms safety to your kids. I sorry some asshat ruined it for you. |
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Either I am more tired than I thought or your story really didn't say what happened, or what the thread was about. It is probably me though.
As for teaching your kids and taking them to the range I applaud you for your actions. My children started very young, a BB gun at age 5 or 6 and I used it to teach proper gun handling and how to use iron sights. They only could access it when I was present. Both of my kids received their first 22lr Henry lever action Youth model. I am able to shoot on my property so I avoid public ranges like the plague. If I have a dime for every muzzle I have had swept in front of me I would be a rich man. I am happy to admit that both my children are safer with firearms than any adult I have met. My son is now in BMT at Lackland AFB and I am darn proud of him. So dads, please keep up the good work. They grow up fast. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
a local Rock Hill based CWP Instructor felt it was improper to bring the boys to the range to teach them about the sport and to hopefully give them the experience to curb their natural curiosity and to not to be a victim of a gun accident in the future. He verbally made the comment so. Silly Dad you don't take people to a shooting range to teach them how to shoot. That's like taking someone to a golf course to teach them how to play golf or to a ski slope to teach them how to ski or tennis courts to teach them how to play tennis.
Seriously though good for you and the other dads for wanting to teach firearms safety to your kids. I sorry some asshat ruined it for you. +1 that makes absolutely no sense for a gun owner to condemn a father teaching his kid about gun safety and how to shoot. I could understand an ignorant ant-gun person saying something like that but a CWP instructor?! You've gotta wonder what he's telling people in his classes. I say you post his business name so we can steer clear of this fool, unless there's more to the story that we don't know like the kid sweeping the guy or something. Congrats for taking the initiative to teach the kids responsible firearms handling/use! |
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Thanks to all for their support.
to clarify: The point was that it is crucial to the future of the sport and gun owners rights that the younger generation needs encouragement..not criticism. Secondly a CWP Instructor should and could have responded in a positive manner. I would gladly had let him take over if he introduced himself as an instructor and offered to do so. Anything is better than "this is no place to teach kids to shoot". He did not introduce himself prior to voicing his opinion. He left that as a defense for his bad behavior. Thirdly, to point out the need for local youth training. There are enough CWP classes out there to choke a horse but I have yet to find something formal for the youth. Aim Right in Fort Mill (thanks Jack) has graciously volunteered to speak at our Scout Meeting about Gun Safety but we still need practical formal gun use training as well for the individual Youth interested in the sport. There are always two sides to the story...but I would say if you are going to the public range the public has the option to use it as a place to teach a new entrant to the sport and lend a hand to advance the cause by being considerate and patient. Maybe even applaud the boy that hits the target. To the point of Muzzle sweep. We set extra precautions that the Boys were not to move the rifle off the bench or move it from pointing down range at any time. We spent the night before talking about gun components and the components of cartridges. We discussed the basics of what a gun operator responsibility such as know the target and what is in front and beyond. don't shoot into the air, trigger finger off the trigger etc. I must admit as I personally was trying to show the boys the chamber was clear and no mag on the 22 Bolt that I caught myself bringing the barrel in too close although I kept it pointed up and away. I quickly corrected myself but it was not a sweep. I would say that is where I could have done better. The CWP Instructor I believe felt we were holding him up from firing. This was not the case. All the Boys had ear protection on as per the norm. We kept the boys in the booth perimeter. I told him that there was no need to not fire and we were not asking for any special consideration. After that he backed off. Unfortunately the Boys witnessed the exchange and felt unwelcome. Thanks again for your kind support. I was concerned that we should not go back to Leeds again with the boys and that I broke an unwritten code of the range. Hopefully the Instructor that was there (or any other) has read this thread and has sat back and thought about this and realized that Firearm Education is not only for the Adults and perhaps has a renewed vision of his ability to influence the sport. We all go through life learning. That being said let's keep the name confidential and Bless him instead. Thanks again all... 
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