Altercation at the range.

[Rastoff]

We have a local gun range/club that I'm heavily involved in. We have two Trap machines and regularly shoot Trap on Wed and Sat mornings.

I've learned that Trap shooters can be a surly bunch, but we have a pretty good group and I like going as much for the camaraderie as the shooting.

Well, two Wednesdays ago, two guys had a difference of opinion. I guess one guy shot a round of Trap by himself and actually broke all 25 birds. It's common for us to give out a patch that says, "25 Straight" on it. So, this individual asked for a patch and received one.

Another guy took exception to that and said so. This led to, "Are you calling me a liar?" and, "Yeah, what of it!" and assorted other words that I won't type here. I guess one of them wouldn't let it go and got in the face of the other guy who got tired of it and shoved him to the ground. I don't think it was his intention to shove him to the ground, just to get him away, but to the ground that guy went. Now it's not just a shouting match, it's physical.


I don't know how all this will play out, but it won't be good. Both were Trap range masters and should know better. Both are in their 60s. As far as I know, only one has been suspended from the range. Personally I see it as mutual combat and they both deserve at least a little time off if not indefinitely. This kind of thing should never happen.

 

[Pondoro]

I agree. The one that touched the other guy needs a suspension. Both? I'd want to know how badly he escalated stuff. Simply refusing to agree in a firm calm voice? Or name calling and threats? This type of thing should get you suspended from the painting club or musical club. Mixing it with firearms makes it worse. I'm not saying those two would have escalated to shooting but the presence of firearms means we need to have a higher standard of behavior. "Altercation at Local Gun Club" is an ugly headline, even if it is just two old boys shoving.

 

[Rastoff]

It's a good question Pnodoro. Alas, I wasn't there, but I am very familiar with both parties.

Just for ease of discussion I'll make up some names. We'll call them Jack and Ralph. Ralph was the one that shot the 25 straight and Jack had the issue with Ralph receiving the patch.

Knowing Ralph like I do, I can assure you that he wasn't calm at all. Knowing both of them, the escalation was mutual. Jack was the one who shoved Ralph. I'm sure Ralph was right up in Jack's face too.

 

[WardenRoss]

As of last night, Georgia had 57,360 souls incarcerated.


Just sayin.................

 

[wingriderz]

Well said Pondoro. Higher standards always . Agree to disgree but hands on , now its ON !! Both need a time out. Is the guy that pushed catching a battery charge ??

 

[4barrel]

Was there a woman involved in the background? Ralph needs a witness to get the patch. Things don't need to happen at a gun club to get it shut down. They are hard enough to keep open.

 

[old bear]

IMHO there should be set rules for awarding the "25 Straight." And, both adults involved should start acting like adults, and not be allowed to return until they do.

 

[Doug627]

You need a rule requiring a witness before giving out a patch. No photograph or video? It didn't happen.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The USGA wouldn't accept all those Aces I got when playing solo rounds.

 

[Faulkner]

In my opinion, this issue has little to do with shooting trap or rules requiring witnesses/observers or who got suspended and who didn't. This is an example of the negative influence that main stream media and social media has had on Americans. It seems that Americans are having a harder and harder time behaving in a civilized manner over the slightest disagreement or perceived affront.

One thing I've learned through the years is that sometimes the juice ain't worth the squeeze, and I'm just not going to get riled up over a patch.

 

[arjay]

Sounds like a place I shot a lot of trap and skeet at back in the day.
Wth is wrong with those guys?

 

[Rudi]

Very sad. All that over a little piece of cloth.

 

[Kurusu]

@ Rastoff.

I agree that both should suffer a penalty.

It takes two to a fight.

And both should know better.

 

[Erich]

If you're in your sixties and your fun leads you into a physical altercation with a playmate, I'd say you missed something. I hope that it was a momentary lapse, but God probably expects us to have gotten our acts together by that advanced age.

I like people a ton, but as I head toward retirement I sure am starting to dislike any kind of groups or organized activity.

 

[Firesticks]

It is just a patch. Even a blind chicken finds a kernel of corn now and then. Both of them went WAAAAAAY overboard.

 

[hittman77]

Maybe they can duke it out on Facebook like all the other children do.

Whichever one apologizes to the group in public and in person first can stay after serving a suspension.

 

[howiema]

Well, nowadays when you put your hands on someone it is assault and battery now matter what the outcome. At my Gun Club the person who threw the person to the ground would be finding another place to shoot.

There was an altercation in my small town south of Boston that started with a dog barking out a window of a car at a coffee shop the dog was nipping at people that walked by. The gentleman got in an argument with the dog owner, the dog owner proceeded to slug the gentleman dropping him on the ground he hit his head on the concrete parking bumper and it killed him. Nowadays you cannot put your hands on another person- for something as a Straight 25 Patch it should not have happened.

Pete

 

[yaktamer]

I like people a ton, but as I head toward retirement I sure am starting to dislike any kind of groups or organized activity.

Right there with ya. Except I'm not so big on people in general. The bunker in Wyoming is calling to me.

 

[shell627]

I think all trap and skeet shooters should have to wear body cams.Because we know now never take a man at his word or trust his integrity.
By the way before everyone melts down (sarcasm)!!!

 

[Ματθιας]

Nobody needs or wants hotheads around, especially at a gun range. Kick them both out and be done with it! They both acted like idiots.