Safety First! <IMG SRC="/luger/graphics/indifferent.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":|"> kinda long!

John Sabato · 04-12-2001, 03:19 PM

War story---Well almost...

In 1975, My full time duty position was as Coach of the US Army Combat Pistol Team at Fort Gordon, GA.

In order to break up the monotony of training and to encourage others in the shooting sports I approached the Company Commander of the post Military Police company to send out his soldiers 5 at a time during the lunch hour and my team and I would provide pointers and instruction to guys whose job it was to be ARMED during the normal course of their duty, but who seldom had a chance to practice.

It only took one range session to realize that these soldiers were not more than just familiarized with their weapons and safety practices were not the norm in firearm handling. Their weapons were just like any other tool to them, because few if any of them ever had to draw a loaded weapon for a serious social purpose.

It became obvious that to prevent possible damage and injury during these volunteer sessions that I was going to have to get their attention to insure that my team's public relations were not damaged by an accidental discharge.

It became my practice to have a demonstration prior to the start of each session that would promote safety based on fear if for no other reason. With the help of my team we staged a demo that began with each visiting MP unloading and clearing his weapon. Their magazines and weapons were then placed on the shooting bench and I took the group out to within 7 feet of the rotating Silhouette targets. The targets were not facing us when we got there.

I explained to them that safety was my primary concern and training was secondary. I told them that people who handle weapons on a day to day basis believe that they are careful and seldom think that they are not. I then instucted them to inspect the accidental bullet hole that was put in my range's shooting bench by a know-it-all MP officer on the first session (without mentioning names).

I then told them that the .45 1911A1 on my hip in a standard open-topped holster was the only weapon authorized to be loaded on MY range at any time without direct instructions from me. The most common mistake made by people who shoot infrequently is to turn around with a loaded weapon in their hand when something is wrong. I told them that this would be a deadly mistake on MY range. The first person who turned around with a weapon in his hand would be a dead man, ...no exceptions. I could easily explain having to take down a dangerous person with a firearm. But explaining how I permitted an unsafe condition to exist on MY range was not something I was willing to let happen.

My instructions to my assistant coach were to turn the target frames to face us as soon as they heard laughter (which always happened at this point).

When the Silhouette target 7 feet in front of me turned to face me (unexpected by them, but anticipated by me) I would turn, draw, and empty my .45 into a about an 8" group on the chest area of the target, drop my magazine, reload, lock and holster my weapon, and then turn back and say to five very suprised faces "...are there any questions?"

There was NEVER a question from my professional visitors, and we NEVER had an accidental discharge after that.

This demo became standard practice for any visitor of any rank who came to shoot while I was coach on that range.

FEAR grabs your attention faster than anything else, and can be a powerful motivation to pay attention to what you are doing.

If YOU don't know fear...then you have never been present at an accidental discharge. They are more frightening than looking for the enemy behind the next door - because at least you know under those circumstances that somebody is SUPPOSED to be hurt!

Keep them muzzles pointed down range boys...and PAY ATTENTION!

regards,

John (not LOL)

04-12-2001, 03:19 PM	#12
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Warning - War story...(long safety post) War story---Well almost... In 1975, My full time duty position was as Coach of the US Army Combat Pistol Team at Fort Gordon, GA. In order to break up the monotony of training and to encourage others in the shooting sports I approached the Company Commander of the post Military Police company to send out his soldiers 5 at a time during the lunch hour and my team and I would provide pointers and instruction to guys whose job it was to be ARMED during the normal course of their duty, but who seldom had a chance to practice. It only took one range session to realize that these soldiers were not more than just familiarized with their weapons and safety practices were not the norm in firearm handling. Their weapons were just like any other tool to them, because few if any of them ever had to draw a loaded weapon for a serious social purpose. It became obvious that to prevent possible damage and injury during these volunteer sessions that I was going to have to get their attention to insure that my team's public relations were not damaged by an accidental discharge. It became my practice to have a demonstration prior to the start of each session that would promote safety based on fear if for no other reason. With the help of my team we staged a demo that began with each visiting MP unloading and clearing his weapon. Their magazines and weapons were then placed on the shooting bench and I took the group out to within 7 feet of the rotating Silhouette targets. The targets were not facing us when we got there. I explained to them that safety was my primary concern and training was secondary. I told them that people who handle weapons on a day to day basis believe that they are careful and seldom think that they are not. I then instucted them to inspect the accidental bullet hole that was put in my range's shooting bench by a know-it-all MP officer on the first session (without mentioning names). I then told them that the .45 1911A1 on my hip in a standard open-topped holster was the only weapon authorized to be loaded on MY range at any time without direct instructions from me. The most common mistake made by people who shoot infrequently is to turn around with a loaded weapon in their hand when something is wrong. I told them that this would be a deadly mistake on MY range. The first person who turned around with a weapon in his hand would be a dead man, ...no exceptions. I could easily explain having to take down a dangerous person with a firearm. But explaining how I permitted an unsafe condition to exist on MY range was not something I was willing to let happen. My instructions to my assistant coach were to turn the target frames to face us as soon as they heard laughter (which always happened at this point). When the Silhouette target 7 feet in front of me turned to face me (unexpected by them, but anticipated by me) I would turn, draw, and empty my .45 into a about an 8" group on the chest area of the target, drop my magazine, reload, lock and holster my weapon, and then turn back and say to five very suprised faces "...are there any questions?" There was NEVER a question from my professional visitors, and we NEVER had an accidental discharge after that. This demo became standard practice for any visitor of any rank who came to shoot while I was coach on that range. FEAR grabs your attention faster than anything else, and can be a powerful motivation to pay attention to what you are doing. If YOU don't know fear...then you have never been present at an accidental discharge. They are more frightening than looking for the enemy behind the next door - because at least you know under those circumstances that somebody is SUPPOSED to be hurt! Keep them muzzles pointed down range boys...and PAY ATTENTION! regards, John (not LOL)