02-20-2021, 09:48 PM
(02-20-2021, 06:30 PM)Augie91 Wrote: [ -> ]As a relatively new shooter, I worry about making a mistake that compromises my safety or that of others. So I'm trying really hard to keep that trigger finger away from trigger until I am ready to fire. Always having weapon pointed down range, things like that. I need all my senses and focus for sure. The other day at the range I noticed all the dents in the ceiling down range, some just a few feet from where you stand. I wondered to myself what kinda screw up made that happen
As the coach of a junior rifle team I tend to come down hard on the juniors that fail to follow rules 1,2 of firearm safety (1: pointed in safe directions, 2: booger hook off the trigger). I bring this up in the initial safety briefing with all new shooters and emphasize that I will sometimes raise my voice but make it clear I am not angry, just need to get attention quickly if there is a safety issue.
This past Thursday I had a new kid that was just learning how to use the rifle with a sling and he lost control of the rifle for a moment and it swept the shooter next to him (note: The empty chamber indicator was in the barrel so nobody was at risk), but I raised my voice and said 'hey, watch your rifle!' and grabbed the rifle and kept it pointed in a safe direction again.
Poor kid... he was only 8 and I could tell he was initially shaken. I stayed with him and continued to help and praise him as he continued to shoot in the sling for the first time. Seemed ok after that.