No offence taken, nor aimed at anyone personally.
Like I said before, I’m not trying to start a war.
Until recently I had never been to a range, I started shooting shotguns at a very young age. Safety was drummed into me like nothing else, my family are all shooters.
You say it’s not all about caliber but from what most people are saying clearly that’s how there club perceive it? I have been taught that an air rifle is to be treated in the same way as ANY firearm.
So what Changes on your range in regards to safety? I would imagine it’s the same regardless of gun used or 20/25m/air
Can you be a safe shooter with .22 but not .50bmg??
I’m just simply trying to work out what people are meaning by competent shooters?
I wouldn’t ever argue against clubs working towards safe shooting.
I don’t have an issue with patience , I have an issue with people making it difficult for new people to get into the sport for no real reason.
We as a family have introduced many people into the sport, it’s our passion.
Never is saftdy compromised, but I don’t make people start on a 410 before they shoot a 12g if it’s too small for them......
And just for reference I don’t play video games
All our ranges are different in layout and how the firearms are handled as a result.
As a full memberyou can shoot on any range, so if you only trained on the 20 yard range where each shooter is in a booth with boards stopping any chance of muzzle sweep, how do we then know they are safe handling a prone rifle on the 25 yard rangewhere they may be next to a bench shooter and shoot through holes in a wall built to keep the heat in.
Similarly, clearing a misfire in a Ruger 10/22 is not the same as clearing a bolt action, is not the same as an air pistol.
Safety is everything. Our beginners attend for three months, that is 12 visits or some 24 hours. If they can demonstrate at that point they are safe and can put all shots on the target, they are invited to become advanced probationers and can attend general club days, but have to have a full member on the range and cannot RCO. A further 3 months and all being well you are made up to full member.
Seems a reasonable balance to me, and ensures a high level of safety and development in the club.