Going to the range with a iffy coworker...

SnowRooster

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I’ll try to be brief, work with this guy, nice dude but just has no clue about safety. We work construction and I don’t trust him to drill a hole beside me let alone handle a firearm around me. He recently discovered I have guns and shoot. He is after me non stop to take him shooting. I don’t want to be responsible for him on a range with others.

I’m wondering if I should take him to a indoor ranger with RSO’s on staff and let them deal with him?

Thoughts and opinions?
 
There was a nutty guy years ago that wanted to ride motorcycles with me and my other friends.
It would piss him off that I would not respond to that query when we were at the gym and he was pestering me about it.
Eventually he quit asking.
 
Yes, indoor range with RSO's, start him off on a .22 and then let him spend some money on classes so he can stay out of your hair.
Or tell him you're not certified to take him to the range. ;)
 
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If you are that uncomfortable with the idea...… then it's a bad idea. Just be up front with the guy and quit worrying about it. I have told someone up front in a similar situation..... "I am not comfortable with you handling a firearm anywhere near me".
 
What @BowWow said. If you're that uncomfortable with it, it's not worth taking the risk to take him.

I would have no problem telling him that you take safety extremely seriously and based on what you see from him at work, you don't feel comfortable with him having a loaded gun In his hands.
 
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The three S’s


I keed I keed
 
Man up. Teaching moment. One round at a time.

Yep...……….take advantage of this opportunity and don't mince words. My job requires me to take safety compliance to acceptable levels regardless of how others feel about it. And I fully intend to do just that as long as I receive a paycheck from someone else.


Safety Reminder.jpg
 
nice dude but just has no clue about safety.

First, try and give him a clue about safety, without any guns around. If he can't or won't take the 4 rules seriously that's the end of it.

When I take a new shooter the first shot doesn't happen until after they've demonstrated they know the rules and can handle an empty gun safely.
 
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Delivery is everything. At least that's what my boss tells me when I get called into his office for "the talk". So try something like this:

"Do you remember the other day when you did that thing that could have gotten someone killed? I enjoy introducing people to shooting, but right now I don't think I'd be comfortable with you on the range. Shooting's a hobby that doesn't tolerate carelessness nor neglect. Here's the info to sign up for an NRA gun safety course, and after you've taken the class, I'll be glad to join you at the range."
 
How I see these things.

1) I don't like the person and just work with them. If I wouldn't see them for any other social event I'm not taking them to the range. I would tell them no, and be a prick if they continued.

2) Alright person, just careless, or scatter brained. If they don't have their own gun I'm dragging out the bolt guns. If they focus and demonstrate maturity maybe later we'll shoot pistols, shotguns, or semis. If not it'll be a pretty short trip.
 
If you can’t/don’t want to say no, then get “fatherly” serious about the conversation regarding safety. Let him know that he’s your responsibility and you have a zero tolerance policy. Follow my rules and we can have a fun day. Act like an idiot and you’ll F it all up. Any questions?
 
You might not be able to do it at your range but when I take someone out their first time it take a couple milk jugs with water and a full size centerfire pistol (I usually go with a .45acp 1911) with hollow points along. The display usually is a wake up call for don’t cover anything you don’t want to destroy. If they don’t gasp for the first couple seconds of destruction then two words for you ... single shot ... and stand close enough to be able to control the muzzle if the idiot factor pops up. Funny thing is I’ve never had a kid or woman worry me after the water jugs exhibition but a couple men sure did ... be safe and when in doubt Charlie out!
 
Ok, I'll be that guy. I'm friendly with most coworkers but friends with none. I don't do extracurricular activities with people who aren't friends or at least someone I want to be friends with. Found this a while back and it's served me well and keeps things simple at work.
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Ok, I'll be that guy. I'm friendly with most coworkers but friends with none. I don't do extracurricular activities with people who aren't friends or at least someone I want to be friends with. Found this a while back and it's served me well and keeps things simple at work.
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In general I agree, but you can’t keep yourself closed off. I have made a few very good friends out of coworkers …
 
Thompson Contender AIRSOFT

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I'm with the other guys.... don't do it. Just say "I keep that part of my life separate from coworkers".
Wait, WTF is that, I want, I want now!
 
In general I agree, but you can’t keep yourself closed off. I have made a few very good friends out of coworkers …
Yes, but confine it to less dangerous activities. ;)
Maybe, I'm sensitive to this, because my wife has a recurring dream where I get shot at a range, accidentally. She says in the dream I'm pissed and as they are loading me on the bed of a pickup for transport, I'm yelling, "I don't have time for this bull$hit!" :D
So, I'm wary of strangers at a range. Especially those that might not know what they're doing. Why expose yourself to the risk?
 
My wife also thinks something is going to happen to me at the outdoor range, I've got the place to myself most of the time, somebody will sneak up on me. Told her the vultures will finish me off.
 
I’ll try to be brief, work with this guy, nice dude but just has no clue about safety. We work construction and I don’t trust him to drill a hole beside me let alone handle a firearm around me. I don’t want to be responsible for him on a range with others.

I’m wondering if I should take him to a indoor ranger with RSO’s on staff and let them deal with him?

Thoughts and opinions?

You've answered your own question, "I don't want to be responsible for him". If he just rides to the range with you, you're responsible, YOU brought him here!! If this man has gotten to the age he probably is and still doesn't take responsibility seriously what makes you think one afternoon at the range is going to change?? Really....
 
... I’m wondering if I should take him to a indoor ranger with RSO’s on staff and let them deal with him?

Thoughts and opinions?
YES!
 
I have taken numerous friends and co-workers to the range that has never been shooting before. One was kind of anti gun who now is a gun owner.

Here is the thing you have to control the situation. I tell them I am like a drill instructor on safety and I am very anal on process and procedures so no one gets hurt. I tell this to people I take that have shot before. If they are not receptive to this they do not go, but so far everyone has been appreciative to my position and how I am at the range.
 
Tell him you are not comfortable taking someone with zero experience and that you would be happy to revisit the issue after he has taken an NRA certified pistol safety course. Put the monkey on his back and you will probably never hear about it again without having to insult him and possibly cause work problems for no reason.
 
If handled properly, it could be a teaching moment. Kind of reminds me of how when you go to a range for the first time they want you to watch a short safety video. The point isn’t the video, but how you respond to the instructions of being told to watch it.
 
I have a lot of new shooters at my place. Im super laid back. But I tell them up front that I cut the bull$#!^, and I expect good firearms safety around me. finger off trigger, everything pointed down range, don't sweep me or we are done. I think it gives the new shooter a good start to the seriousness of gun safety. Unlike you see when someone is showing you a pistol in their house. or horsing around with the guys.

Even at the gun store, I will compliment people on good gun handling "Thanks for not pointing that at me" or tell kids "Someone has taught you good gun safety". It goes a long way. If they see me clear pistols I know that are empty before handing them to them, they see "professionals" doing it, therefore it must be the correct way.
 
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