Range Command Encounter

Treo

Treo

Bullet Proof
The pet peeves thread reminded me of this story

This isn't a what if it’s an After Action Review, here's what happened. First time at our gun club/ range. A member of the gun club is out there showing off his Kimber super .38, ok that doesn't strike me as odd.

We start a conversation & W/in minutes he flips up his shirt to show me his CCW. I can see he's gauging my reaction, gettin' a little uneasy now. Guy then informs me that as a LEO of 12 years he's killed 1 guy & been involved in 3 officer involved shootings, something is definitely not right.

He answers a question about my weapon then starts talking about close range shooting tactics and informs me that he could disarm me at will and pokes my chest and stomach (in imitation of a bullet striking me). At this point I disengage & get as far as I can from him, definitely on full alert.

The guy then finds another person to impress/ intimidate. Later, he asks me very politely if I would like to try his super .38, I did it was a nice gun I thanked him & left.

The next time I saw him at the range I avoided him. Honestly I don't think he wanted to do any more than look important and intimidate the newbie at the range. The only thing hurt was my pride, but I just couldn't see any good coming from getting indignant W/ an armed stranger. Especially since I was armed as well.

Here are my questions

1 what (if anything) did I do right?

2. What (if anything) did I do wrong?

3. What could I have done better?
 
I think that you handled the situation rather well. I prob would have handled it the same way. Make polite conversation, and then go back to my business. I have met more than a few of these Range Commandos, and boy are they an interesting breed haha.
 
I love getting into conversations with people like that. 99% of the time they're nothing but a BSing braggart. Being in the bar industry for so long, I've had to deal with people like this on a regular basis and there's nothing I enjoy more than shutting them down. While feigning interest (at least in the beginning) I would have grilled him about his "kill", asking for details that he most likely can't provide because the event never took place. Pressing people like him for specifics usually turns the tables and they become uncomfortable having to try to elaborate their BS stories on the fly. I also would have told him that I too could disarm him as well and pointed right between his eyes. That's usually enough for them to excuse themselves and go find easier "prey". They'll avoid me from now on.

If they persist, I'll one-up them: "Only one kill?? I have 6....including 2 with a knife" or something along those lines. Stuff like that always gets the point across - I'm not interested. Go away.
 
Treo said:
Here are my questions

1 what (if anything) did I do right?

2. What (if anything) did I do wrong?

3. What could I have done better?
Click to expand...

1.) You're were at the Range-Good Thing

2.) After your Spidey senses went on ALERT, you actually handled his weapon placing your prints to an unknown weapon. NOT Good Thing

3.) I would have had a conversation with the people running the range and inquired about this individual that raised your senses. Prior to any other interaction with this guy.

BUT as Keykutter already stated, you probably already knew all this..............
 
mappow said:
1.) You're were at the Range-Good Thing

2.) After your Spidey senses went on ALERT, you actually handled his weapon placing your prints to an unknown weapon. NOT Good Thing

3.) I would have had a conversation with the people running the range and inquired about this individual that raised your senses. Prior to any other interaction with this guy.

BUT as Keykutter already stated, you probably already knew all this..............
Click to expand...

Like you would have turned down a chance to fire a Kimber w/ someone else paying for the ammo.... :biggrin:

As for KeyKutter I have no idea what he may or may not have said
 
I must agree with mappow. I would not have accepted his invitation to fire his weapon. After he invaded my personal space, I would have excused myself and departed. We have an outdoor range around here that I frequent. Every once in a while, I'll have the range to myself when 2 or 3 young men will show up to practice. It takes about 30 seconds for me to determine whether they are serious or just jerking around and making the area unsafe for everyone. When in doubt, leave the area. Guys like that may be big talkers, but moreover, they may be dangerous without meaning to. The only thing I would have changed is that I would have left sooner.

TK
 
would have left sooner

It sounds to me like you handled it well, except that I agree with those who would have left sooner.

People with ego issues around firearms, just like people with alcohol issues, are trouble waiting to happen.

I don't know any real Cops or combat veterans who would actually brag about a "kill" or even talk to strangers about it. It isn't something anyone is proud of; having to take a human life usually haunts you the rest of your life, no matter how justified the shoot. They might talk about it with other cops/veterans who have had similar experiences and can be expected to understand; but not with somebody they just met.

If you carry a weapon you may someday have to use it to take a life in defense of life. Get a copy of Lt Colonel David Grossman's book, "On Killing" and read it now, before it happens. I hope you never have to get firsthand experience in this matter, but if you carry, you had best be prepared for the worst.
 
Treo said:
The pet peeves thread reminded me of this story

This isn't a what if it’s an After Action Review, here's what happened. First time at our gun club/ range. A member of the gun club is out there showing off his Kimber super .38, ok that doesn't strike me as odd.

We start a conversation & W/in minutes he flips up his shirt to show me his CCW. I can see he's gauging my reaction, gettin' a little uneasy now. Guy then informs me that as a LEO of 12 years he's killed 1 guy & been involved in 3 officer involved shootings, something is definitely not right.

He answers a question about my weapon then starts talking about close range shooting tactics and informs me that he could disarm me at will and pokes my chest and stomach (in imitation of a bullet striking me). At this point I disengage & get as far as I can from him, definitely on full alert.

The guy then finds another person to impress/ intimidate. Later, he asks me very politely if I would like to try his super .38, I did it was a nice gun I thanked him & left.

The next time I saw him at the range I avoided him. Honestly I don't think he wanted to do any more than look important and intimidate the newbie at the range. The only thing hurt was my pride, but I just couldn't see any good coming from getting indignant W/ an armed stranger. Especially since I was armed as well.

Here are my questions

1 what (if anything) did I do right?

2. What (if anything) did I do wrong?

3. What could I have done better?
Click to expand...

I think you did alright.
 
Is this guy still a police officer? How did he pass the Psych evulation? Or hes completely scared shitless and feels a need to exaggerate his Bravado to make sure nobody picks on him. If someone is obviously a tough guy, they rarely talk about it...Psychos on the other hand feel the need to hear themselves speak.
 
hurley40 said:
Is this guy still a police officer? How did he pass the Psych evulation? Or hes completely scared shitless and feels a need to exaggerate his Bravado to make sure nobody picks on him. If someone is obviously a tough guy, they rarely talk about it...Psychos on the other hand feel the need to hear themselves speak.
Click to expand...

The problem is no Psych evals are given. Nowadays I don't think any jurisdiction could field a police force if they did.
 
Treo said:
Here are my questions

1 what (if anything) did I do right?

2. What (if anything) did I do wrong?

3. What could I have done better?
Click to expand...

I think you did pretty good. Social encounters with the mentally unbalanced are difficult to gauge. It scares me to think this guy has a badge!
 
My first impression is that, despite his announcement, he was not an active duty LEO. I would have asked to see his badge, or at least what department he was a member of. Armed with that info alone, I would have contacted management and requested his name, explaining his actions as the reason for the request. Then, contact with a mid-level police supervisor, explaining his actions. Make it clear that you were not filing a complaint, merely pointing out that if his statements were true, the department may want to "suggest" counseling. His actions are not the normal statements and actions of someone who has been forced to take a life. Most police departments provide a range and ammo for their officers practice. Why was he at a public range? Just my opinion.
 
Treo said:
The pet peeves thread reminded me of this story

This isn't a what if it’s an After Action Review, here's what happened. First time at our gun club/ range. A member of the gun club is out there showing off his Kimber super .38, ok that doesn't strike me as odd.

We start a conversation & W/in minutes he flips up his shirt to show me his CCW. I can see he's gauging my reaction, gettin' a little uneasy now. Guy then informs me that as a LEO of 12 years he's killed 1 guy & been involved in 3 officer involved shootings, something is definitely not right.

He answers a question about my weapon then starts talking about close range shooting tactics and informs me that he could disarm me at will and pokes my chest and stomach (in imitation of a bullet striking me). At this point I disengage & get as far as I can from him, definitely on full alert.

The guy then finds another person to impress/ intimidate. Later, he asks me very politely if I would like to try his super .38, I did it was a nice gun I thanked him & left.

The next time I saw him at the range I avoided him. Honestly I don't think he wanted to do any more than look important and intimidate the newbie at the range. The only thing hurt was my pride, but I just couldn't see any good coming from getting indignant W/ an armed stranger. Especially since I was armed as well.

Here are my questions

1 what (if anything) did I do right?

2. What (if anything) did I do wrong?

3. What could I have done better?
Click to expand...

I think you made a good move to get away from him.

My thought is this guy most likely was not involved in LEO or shot anyone. Any officer I know that was involved in a shooting will not talk about it. Especially to strangers....

When he touched you, it became an assault...

I think I would have made a call to 911 and reported him... Never know what an idiot like this has in mind.

This is the type of idiot who will ask you to see your gun...I have to tell you that is one of my pet peeves...

Like I'm going to hand you my weapon if I don't know you...Even, then I'm a little hesitant.
 
I would have asked him if he was also in the CIA and was involved in some black-ops wet work.
Regardless of his answer, I would have told him I am really not interested in campfire stories and asked him not to bother me while I am practicing my marksmanship.
Have a nice day... poser!
 
Treo said:
Here are my questions

1 what (if anything) did I do right?

2. What (if anything) did I do wrong?

3. What could I have done better?
Click to expand...

You allowed an armed stranger at a gun range to successfully engage you. When your, 'alarm instincts' were aroused you failed to immediately break contact and leave the premises. You, also, apparently failed to carry a backup gun while you were at the range. No BS! I'd, probably, be dead right now IF I didn't have the habit of always carrying a backup gun while I'm at a gun range.

Who do you think is going to be there shooting side-by-side with you - A bunch of Boy Scouts? Over 50 years of shooting I've had, something like, a half dozen such unsavory shooting range incidents. Several of them a lot worse than you experienced.

Public - and, sometimes, even private gun club - ranges can be very dangerous places. Whenever I use one I tend to keep to myself; and I'm not looking to either socialize or make new friends. The moment anything becomes, 'unusual' I'll immediately begin to pack up my stuff and leave.
 
Treo said:
The pet peeves thread reminded me of this story

This isn't a what if it’s an After Action Review, here's what happened. First time at our gun club/ range. A member of the gun club is out there showing off his Kimber super .38, ok that doesn't strike me as odd.

We start a conversation & W/in minutes he flips up his shirt to show me his CCW. I can see he's gauging my reaction, gettin' a little uneasy now. Guy then informs me that as a LEO of 12 years he's killed 1 guy & been involved in 3 officer involved shootings, something is definitely not right.

He answers a question about my weapon then starts talking about close range shooting tactics and informs me that he could disarm me at will and pokes my chest and stomach (in imitation of a bullet striking me). At this point I disengage & get as far as I can from him, definitely on full alert.

The guy then finds another person to impress/ intimidate. Later, he asks me very politely if I would like to try his super .38, I did it was a nice gun I thanked him & left.

The next time I saw him at the range I avoided him. Honestly I don't think he wanted to do any more than look important and intimidate the newbie at the range. The only thing hurt was my pride, but I just couldn't see any good coming from getting indignant W/ an armed stranger. Especially since I was armed as well.

Here are my questions

1 what (if anything) did I do right?

2. What (if anything) did I do wrong?

3. What could I have done better?
Click to expand...

I think you did everything right. INHO, There is always someone who like to show off for whatever reason. The best thing to do is try to avoid these people!!!
 
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