Get Food Storage Now

Get food! Get it now! Get lots of it! Hoard! Hoard! Sorry, I lost my mind for a moment. I was thinking out loud. That line above was what I’ve been thinking about lately. We just got back from a visit to our daughter and son. It was so good to get away and to see them and their families. Especially the Grandkids. Yes, I have Grandkids. I don’t usually go into detail about my life but I’ll fess up to Grandkids. Anyway, as I watch the news, hear from friends with connections from Greece to Dubai, I had certain feelings. My wife on the other hand had access to bulk stores that she doesn’t normally have access to. She did not go crazy but she is really the one who knows what our food storage needs are. She uses it daily. So this is what we have done in the last month. We’ve beefed up (no pun intended) a few areas in our food storage where we were getting low. My wife usually does a bulk grain order each year but through circumstances she didn’t do it this year. We didn’t just focus on food storage. We decided there were some things we wanted to have on hand like a full oil and filter change for our vehicles. I like to have a new container of Sta-Bil for fuel on hand at all times. We like to maintain a bucket full of pest control products such as wasp spray and rat poison. We topped off that bucket. I looked in my shop for any products that I like to keep on hand: carburetor cleaner, WD40, Oil mixture for the chainsaw, spare chainsaw blades, vehicle radiator fluid, motor oil, etc. I put together a list and we brought that up to snuff. My wife looked at her canning materials and sewing items and she brought that up to what she would like to keep in store. We also looked at our seed box and made sure we had seeds that are needed. But what I want to talk about is food storage. Like I’ve said before this is something that I have literally grown up with. I had the yellow Walton Feed bags of wheat under my bed while a child. We always had a “food storage” room with lots of shelves. My Mother always had a wheat grinder and a Bosch mixer. So this is not bizarre behavior to me. But to many others, they have a hard time seeing a problem in this land of plenty. Then came 2020. Natural disasters abound and the topper is a pandemic and civil unrest. Now us crazy “preppers” don’t sound so crazy do we? Actually, it’s not really a “prepper” thing, but a way of life. You think differently. It starts by slowly getting a 3 month supply of what you normally eat. Instead of buying 1 can of soup you buy 2. You date that extra can and put it where you are going to store your food storage. It will add up quickly. As you are doing this you learn about working with long term food like grain and beans. You buy some of this and work with it. You find recipes made with long term ingredients and find out what you like and what your family doesn’t. You start to buy some of these items in bulk, learning how to store food safely and securely. Next you supplement your storage with freeze dried and dehydrated food. Next you can start a garden. Even if you live in an apartment you can have a garden in pots. When you receive a harvest you may want to learn to can your abundance. This also supplements your food storage. None of this needs to be learned over night. There are many aspects of food storage and you can find what works best for you and your family. This is some good information: One Adult Portion Grains—400 pounds (181 kg); includes wheat, flour, rice, corn, oatmeal, and pasta Legumes—60 pounds (27 kg); includes dry beans, split peas, lentils, etc. Powdered Milk—16 pounds (7 kg) Cooking Oil—10 quarts (9 l) Sugar or Honey—60 pounds (27 kg) Salt—8 pounds (3.6 kg) Water (2 weeks)—14 gallons (53 l) This information is bare minimum. I would recommend 2 gallons of water per person, per day. The grains are similar to what the Germans fed prisoners in concentration camps so make sure you go deeper than the basics. As you start cooking and baking, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how much of each ingredient you need. It’s more than you think. With the rare and powerful derecho storm in Iowa that ruined a large amount of corn. Iowa is the leading producer of corn in the U.S. The damage will effect a lot of things. Corn is used in many ways. Beef is impacted by corn. Prices will rise more than they have been. It’s time to work in earnest on your food storage. As member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe and teach that we are in the last days before the coming of Christ. It’s interesting to me that members believe this and teach it, but then are surprised when these “signs of the times” present themselves. This is supposed to happen. I believe it will get worse. Can things get worse than 2020? They can. But you’ll be prepared. If you feel inspired, and you have little to no food storage, buy a few cases of items and a few bags of others. One of the things I’ve noticed is something that concerns me. You may want to put on your tin foil hat for this one. I wonder if there is a conspiracy, real or happenstance, that the world, and this country’s, food is being controlled. Under the guise of COVID-19 meat packing plants, farms, and other canneries, are being shut down. Before 2013 anyone could go to an LDS cannery and for a small fee could dry pak food yourself. This was a great savings and a great resource for those working on their food storage. That has since changed. The Church’s statement said partially: “Much of the discussion regarding this issue has suggested that this change is due to food safety regulation. While it has been a factor, the concern expressed regarding that issue has been overstated." But 12 canneries are still open to anyone who wants to can. Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Mesa, AZ; Carrollton, TX; Lindon, UT; Logan, UT; Ogden, UT; Salt Lake City, UT (Welfare Square); Sandy, UT; Springville, UT; St. George, UT; Idaho Falls, ID; and Boise, ID. There are 89 other canneries that sell pre-canned goods. So by way of regulation, and for “everyone’s good”, manufacturing a food shortage, or at the very least skyrocketing prices, is for people control. I’ve even seen what looks like a small seed shortage out there. But there are considerably less people who grow their own food. So maybe that’s not a real control. By contrast, there is a ammo shortage and a gun shortage. Manufacturing can’t seem to keep up. But that doesn’t really have anything to do with food. Controlling guns and ammo may be a key thing in the future. But if you want to control people without disarming them, control their food. Conspiracy theories aside, now is a good time to get your food storage. It’s not ideal. January or February was ideal before shortages and higher prices. But I would advise you to do what you can now. Semper Paratus Check 6 Burn

Reason For Dark Humor

I have a joke for you. Shouldn’t we be waiting until after the virus runs its course to do the 2020 census? Now before you boo me and write a nasty comment, the above is an example of dark, graveyard or gallows humor. I want to tell a story. But it’s a sad story and has the potential to be a graphic one. I don’t want to go into too much detail or it might be something you may not want to read. And I want you to come back and read this blog. So I’ll be a little vague. I was in a large fighting position in Central America. I was in the middle of a firefight along with 14 other guys. The fight was getting intense. Beside the bullets coming in, the enemy was using RPG’s (rocket propelled grenades) and mortar. These guys were idiots or they had idiot commanders. Their tactics were not very good at the least. They also did not understand how mortar works and how to use it effectively, thank goodness. But it was random so that was pretty scary. One of my good friends was in the position next to me about 3 yards away. He was hit by enemy fire in the neck. I tried to stop the bleeding and the medic tried to stop the bleeding but the wound was too much. He died right there at my feet. It was a horrible experience and it adds to the other trauma I went through those few days. When we finally got out of that situation and back to a safe place I was making some jokes that someone who had not experienced something like that would not have found humorous. This is a defense mechanism that is used by military members who have seen combat and others. Law Enforcement often deal with this too. Firefighters and EMS do this also. Joking about death and destruction is dealing with having seen things that are difficult to process. Dead baby jokes and sometimes vulgar jokes are common. I won’t tell vulgar jokes so all I have left is dark, tacky humor. Talking about death in a flippant way minimizes the pain and loss that death has given you. Even Joseph Stalin famous Marxist understood (he killed enough people…). He said: “Dark humor is like food; not everybody gets it.” It’s even in pop culture. When the movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark” came out I remember a particular line. After looking in “The well of the souls” and seeing it filled with snakes, Indiana Jones’ friend Sallah says: “Asps! Very dangerous! You go first.” This is defined as a comic style that makes light of subject matter that is generally considered taboo, particularly subjects that are normally considered serious or painful to discuss. If we can joke about something, it makes it less threatening in our minds. This type of humor is all over the place, but for those who don’t deal in life or death situations, they don’t quite get it or appreciate it. After talking with a buddy of mine and discussing some past firefight my friend’s wife said to him: “You guys are sure morbid. You sound like members of the mafia!” He just laughed. When he told me what his wife said I told him we should start a business: Make Me Laugh funeral services. We put the fun in funeral! Stay sane out there. Stay healthy. Semper Paratus Check 6 Burn

The Temperment To Carry

I think a lot about mental health. Many years ago I was diagnosed with combat related PTSD. Many people with this problem turn to substance abuse, experience depression, and sometimes violence either to others or self-inflicted. I am very blessed that either my experience didn’t affect me that severely, or I was able to handle it. I think it’s a little bit of both. I still have moments of anxiety in crowds. I still have hyper-vigilance in security and defense, but I think these have been mitigated. I’ve had some great friends and brothers, and a great family. I only saw a mental professional because I was ordered to. Others have not been so blessed. I only bring this up to emphasize the importance of mental health, and the proper mindset when carrying a gun.
We must be honest with ourselves. We all know if we’re a jerk or not. We all know if we’re a hot head or not. Hopefully, we are trying to improve ourselves with each day. If that is so, then we can tell if we’re making progress or not. If you’ve had anger issues don’t carry a gun. Learn to control your emotions and then you can consider it. If you’re not sure of your attitude then ask your spouse or your children. They will probably be brutally honest. Once you realize you have the right temperament or control then you need to find the right mindset.
What the heck am I talking about? Mindset is everything. Your mindset sets you apart from the average. It doesn’t mean you’re special or anything, it only means that you have thought long and hard about the implications of carrying a gun. The things you must contemplate is what you are really preparing to do. You are preparing to defend yourself or your loved ones with lethal force. By using a firearm in this way you may kill someone or leave them maimed for the rest of their lives. It’s easy to think about in the abstract, but in reality, it is much different. Talk to someone who has taken another human beings life. Usually that would be in a combat situation unless you know someone who has defended themselves. It’s not an easy thing to live with and you must be prepared well in advance.
Another thing that is not talked about a lot is our personalities. We should be the best version of ourselves. With the responsibility of carrying a gun comes acknowledging our personal short comings and working to improve with each day. There’s not room for pride or arrogance. There’s no room for anger and impatience. If you end up with a drawn gun you need to understand the implications of shooting as well as not shooting. This where training and discipline come in. If everything annoys you or you have anger issues, don’t carry. We have to be worthy of the gun. We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard. Regardless of the upheaval of COVID and protesters, we’re not in the wild west. Having strong moral values will help us with carrying a gun and in many other aspects of our lives.
Being able to physically fit is just as important as being mentally fit. I understand that we all have lives and that time is at a premium, but like going to the range we should set aside time for fitness. I’m speaking to you as one who needs to take my own advice. I’m not talking about going to the gym every day and becoming a body builder, but just taking the stairs instead of the escalator. Taking a walk after dinner in the cool of the evening. Eating a little more healthy and keeping away from the junkfood. Being able to leave an area quickly to avoid or de-escalate a situation may be more difficult if you are 380 pounds and can hardly climb a flight of stairs.
Every time you strap that gun onto your side, your mindset should change to be the very best version of yourself. I’ve heard people comparing it to being a peace officer or taking the role of a good guy just looking to help people. Having a set of standards when conceal carrying is a great way to automatically get into a certain mindset to respect your rights and responsibilities. Being physically, as well as mentally healthy, when deciding to conceal carry will take you a long way. Not only will it make for a safer community but it will also give you personal satisfaction knowing you did the right thing.
Whether it’s passing up going to the bar or going for a walk after dinner to get a little more exercise, every little thing helps to make you more prepared for what life throws at you. It doesn’t take a guy looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger to conceal carry a firearm daily. It just takes someone who values their safety and wants to protect themselves.
Make sure you have the temperament and mindset of carrying a gun.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

A Reluctance To Train

What is the deal with everyone thinking law enforcement (LE) and military are the only people we can depend on to handle and carry guns? This thinking is idiotic. I have trained law enforcement and military members that have no interest in guns. The requirements for them to qualify with a weapon are annoying to them and some don’t take it seriously. Just because these professions involve arms does not automatically make those with those jobs experts! Some of them only have knowledge of their service weapon. Give them something else and they are lost. At a point in my military experience we only qualified annually. And that was only with an M-16, not a pistol! I had to seek out more training and then was offered a small arms instructor SEI (Special Experience Identifier) because of my gun disease, I mean interest. Anyway, those that know nothing about guns think that the military teaches you so much about guns. There is a familiarity with certain guns, but general gun knowledge comes from somewhere else. Without trying to be arrogant or full of myself, real gun knowledge is something that has to be sought out. I would probably be safe to say that an instructor is pretty knowledgeable. But even an instructor can be wrong. At the very least, instructors don’t always agree about how things should be done. Generally speaking though, most instructors agree about safety.
Civilians (non-military or LE) can and do have extensive knowledge of firearms. There are more experts that are civilians than military or LE. So can the media and politicians stop bringing up that lame excuse for gun possession? It is like so many things non-gun people do no research on. I guess this is turning into a rant about how irresponsible the media and politicians are. Talking to one person about guns is like talking to one economist about the economy, you only get one view! And that view may, or may not, be reality!
Seek out competent instruction. Be prepared to pay a premium because this knowledge does not come easy or cheap. I feel in many ways I was lucky because of my affiliation with the military I was given opportunities to receive training not given to the general population. I also had the opportunity to receive training at a discounted rate because of my instructor status. I’m grateful for the kindness that other instructors have given me. But as I look at some of the instruction I’ve received that I’ve paid full price for, I see that over 30 years it has been in the thousands! Sometimes it’s not worth it, other times, even though it was expensive, it was a bargain!
There is a reluctance for training in the concealed carry world with those who are not really into guns but want to defend themselves and their families. I wish we could change our “gun culture”. I’m not sure it exists but I do know there are many different cultures in one. There are competitors. There are hunters. We have self-defenders. There are tactical gurus. Most of us are a mixture of several of these. At one time I competed. At one time I hunted. I have not done either of those things in over a decade! But what I do know is the quest for more knowledge continues. There are some instructors that are very desirable to me to seek out. Masaad Ayoob, Clint Smith, and others I’d love to receive training from. Perhaps one day I’ll make the opportunity. But if you just got your carry license you should be more than casually thinking about additional training. Put together a plan for your training. Find the courses you want to take and start budgeting for them and planning time to take them. It’s not that important that you go to several courses in a year, but it’s important that you are saving and planning for training. By doing this you will get to see progress and be kept up to date on the latest training, laws, and techniques. There are other ways to learn than just physical courses. There are some good online or recorded courses and there is even some merit to youtube. Be careful and picky about your training. Seek out competent instruction. If you have a training plan in place and you’re working that plan you will see progress. If you have an interest in competing or hunting these can help you learn more. But be realistic and have a plan. You may not turn into a gun nut like me and many others, but you should have an up to date, well rounded knowledge that will serve you for a life time. Don’t be reluctant to train.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

My Problem With Anti-Mormon Attacks

Exmos finally got on my nerves yesterday. I know I shouldn’t read or watch their crap. But as I said before, me and Church detractors go waaaay back! I saw my first anti literature on my mission in Eastern Canada in the early 80’s. I’d grown up in a largely LDS community and was somewhat sheltered from that kind of thing. I never really had a challenge to my beliefs except from a few other churches. But out in the real world of the mission field I saw plenty of it. About halfway through my mission I attended a lecture of a guy who claimed to be a “Mormon scholar”. He had “studied” the Church for 8 years. I looked at my companion who had grown up in the Church in Utah and asked him how long he had studied the doctrine of the Church. He said, “Well, I’m a seminary graduate” (at that time to be a missionary in Canada you had to be “clergy”. The Church complied with this requirement by sending only Seminary graduates to Canadian missions). We probably had been studying Church doctrine since we were 14 but really all our twenty years. So between the two of us we probably had at least 20 years. I was amused by the twisted understanding of basic gospel principles that this “scholar” displayed. It wasn’t until he started to talk about missionaries and the MTC that I took any issue with this guy. So at the end when he asked for questions (this was a standing-room-only college auditorium) I stood and told this charlatan he was wrong with his information about the MTC. He balked at me a young kid questioning his scholarly report. I told him I didn’t want to argue with him but I had just been in that MTC 11 months ago and I could assure him he was giving out wrong information. He tried to change the subject by asking me a completely off the subject doctrinal question. I told him that had nothing to do with what I had called him out on. He fumbled around and I finally said to the crowd, “If he’s wrong about the MTC and what missionaries do, what else is he wrong about? Thank you Sir” and sat down. The next day while tracting we taught many lessons. It is true that no unhallowed hand will stop the work of the Lord. Anyway, as time went on I had amassed a shoebox full of anti pamphlets and books. I bequeathed it to my last apartment. Here several years later the internet turns into the biggest purveyor of anti-mormon literature since the Ex-Mormons for Jesus pushed the movie “The Godmakers” in the 80’s. Most of what I see out there is nothing new. Most of it is a skewered view of LDS doctrine sprinkled with opinion and downright lies. The latest kick is called The CES Letter. Sounds ominous doesn’t it? It’s a collection of questions by a guy named Jeremy Runnells. From what I’ve seen, Jeremy is a typical exmo. His lifes work seems to be to pull people away from the Church. He’s been a little successful to the weak-minded. I know that I’ve offended some with that statement. It seems pretty weak-minded when someone is so hung up on history that they give away what they know. Almost every exmo that talks about the CES letter starts off their tirade telling us their “credentials”. They grew up in the church, or held important callings, or served a mission. These things are supposed to lend credence to what follows. I guess this is the place I should tout my credentials. I was born and raised in the Church with ancestors going back to 1831 when they joined the Church. I’ve always been active, have served in just about every calling you can think of including the “big” ones. I’ve never been in a Stake Presidency though. I served on the High council for 6 years, was a Bishop, YM Pres, Stake YM Pres, SS Pres, Every Scouting position, EQ Presidency, I was just released from the Bishopric and called as the EQ President. So, according to exmos, I’m well seasoned. I served a mission and even was a Nursery Leader twice! I was not “shocked” by the info in the CES letter because, unlike a lot of exmos, I actually studied Church history. None of what the CES letter said surprised me. What surprised me is the interpretation of some of this history. I’m surprised Jeremy had never run across this information. Apparently he had not really studied. It’s not buried anywhere. It’s not hidden. It doesn’t take much to find this information but it does take a certain kind of person to come to the conclusions these clowns come to. I’m sorry, seekers not clowns. But Jeremy said he was not a scholar. And I agree, he’s not. But he got a bunch of scholars together and asked them. I’m not really sure that’s what he did. But anyway, he’s devoted a little bit of bandwidth to tearing down the Church. I’m not sure what he gets out of it. I guess the satisfaction of knowing he’s “saved” someone from the cult that we are. (sarcasm is not pretty) I also believe that the latest antagonists of the church are sneaky and deceptive, sometimes the very things they accuse leaders of being. Many of them have recorded things and shared things I feel should be confidential. In my opinion I think they share and record their councils to only try and “shame” the Church. They are really not interested in anything but that. I think it’s interesting that the Church never shares confidential information but the exmos think it’s their duty. To me that’s just being a jerk. It makes me feel like I should do to them what they do to the Church. But as I’m trying to do what is right in my life, I won’t. It grieves my heart that they can’t leave the Church alone. But it fits right in with my theory that the worst enemies of the Church have always been ex members. I call them Zarahemnas because they are not content to leave what they believe is not true, alone. They must “stir up the Lamanites to war”. Coming to know that a religion is not for you is fine, but when you try to actively destroy a religion and tear down a church, that is different.
I know that my PTSD can put me into a fight mode. I don’t look for a fight, but when someone makes it their lifes work to discredit my beliefs that’s when I close and engage. These people need to shut the heck up! If you don’t believe it great. But don’t try to convince the rest of the world that they need to see things your way! Debate is one thing. I don’t mind someone honestly wanting to talk about doctrine and to ask honest questions, but most of this crap is just that, crap. I’ve listened to them and their podcasts and Youtube videos. I see right through the same tactics that have been used since I was on my mission. The CES letter in particular uses a million questions to attack with. Some of them are easy. Others require some research. To answer all these questions would require a lot of time and 3 times the pages of the actual letter! What I can’t understand about these people is that at one time they had a testimony. Were they wrong about what they “knew”? Are they easily persuaded? Some of them grew up in the Church as I did. Are they stupid or lazy? My opinion is that they are weak. I’ve never been stumped by an anti’s question. I’ve never had my world fall apart. I do not doubt what I know. Some of them actually want me to believe that after years in the church, professing spiritual experiences, telling people they know with their testimonies, and then they hear some “earth shattering” information that makes all that they experienced and professed null and void? What kind of commitment and “testimony” is that? That’s why I believe there is either sin involved, or weak minds. Or maybe they just wanted a beer… Look, I’m not trying to insult anyone, but do you see what I mean? I know it was not just one moment they were active and the next they thought “I think I’ll leave the church today.” Often I see a leader involved. Some leaders don’t necessarily drive people away, but I’ve met a few that need a little help dealing with people. There is always some slight, some mean treatment, some one-sided, unfair thing. The CES letter guy kept getting his meeting changed. He never could get his questions answered. Why the heck could he not find answers himself? None of his questions are that difficult. But he couldn’t find it within himself to find these answers. You know something Jeremy, I don’t wish you any ill-will, but I’m grateful people like you are not in this church. It’s not that the church isn’t for everyone but people like you only are a burden on progress. Not because you have questions but because you can’t handle regular life. You have this idea that if a few people can’t or won’t answer you that there are no answers. Often the pursuit of truth takes a life time and sarcastically speaking, “I see you’re in it for the long haul.” No matter how much you tout your mis-information, lies, and opinionated crap it will not stop the progress of the church. No unhallowed hand will. You’ve “saved” other weak people. You will continue to reap the whirlwind. But when anti’s start to get nasty and attack because they don’t like the church, it’s members, or leaders, don’t expect no one to defend those things. If you threaten physical harm on the church or its leaders then you better expect a visit from an unofficial Danite. That is not a threat, but if you promise physical harm we can promise defense. I guess I’m just fed up with attacks on my church, my beliefs, and sometimes threats. I’m sure you can find someone else to harass. Or you could just say no. Otherwise, I survived shots fired in anger, you want a piece of me? Bring it on!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Range Etiquette and My Reverence For the Range

I was at the range yesterday. I really love the outdoor range I’m a member of. It has lots of room, adequate shelter and even bathroom and water facilities. Out there amid the spent brass and smelling the burnt powder I can honestly say I’m “Home on the range!” It is a place I can relax even in inclement weather. I like to shoot for about 15 or 20 minutes and then take a break and sit and enjoy the breeze and some water. I often put my feet up and just soak up the atmosphere. Most other shooters are respectful of my space but occasionally I’ll get someone who asks a lot of questions that I sometimes feel obligated to answer. “How long have you been shooting?” “What kind of training do you have?” “What are you shooting?” meaning guns or ammo. If I give them an honest answer I will usually get more questions. I don’t mind answering questions or helping someone. It’s not an imposition unless the person goes too far. I’m an instructor and don’t mind helping someone with their shooting. But it’s rude to expect me to abandon my training to give you a free lesson for an extended period of time! I usually end up leaving no matter where I was in my own training. I wish new shooters would find a mentor. A friend they get along with who is willing to take them under their wing and show them and hopefully teach them safety and range etiquette.
Range etiquette consists of a few things:
Number 1 is always safety. Learn the safety rules of your range. I teach 4 rules but your range may have more. Always follow the safety rules! Make them a part of you. My wife teases me because every time I pick up a drill or a nail gun, my finger is off the trigger and I’m pointing it in a safe direction.
Most ranges have other rules. Follow them like you would the safety rules. Do not break them. You could get banned from that range if you are not careful with the rules. If your range has an RSO (range safety officer) do what they say! It’s not hard. RSO’s get a bad rap because of some who should not be. You have to have lots of patience and tolerance. I have a problem with stupidity. Unfortunately humans are stupid. I haven’t been an RSO for years and that’s probably why. Think about the rules and then think about what you’re doing. The range is no place to do your own thing, within reason of course. If you’re just starting out (like a LOT of shooters these days!) don’t be overwhelmed. Take it slow and think about what you’re doing.
Remember there are often others shooting with you. Courtesy should always be in your range bag. Never point a gun to your right or left. Others get a little nervous when you point a gun at them.
I once threw an Air Force Major off of “my” range. I told him he could come back when he had authorization from his commander. He even tried the “Do you know who I am?” I was a mere buck Sargent at the time and I said “I don’t care who you are sir. You’re off my range!” So RSO’s do get a little testy when someone who knows better keeps pointing an M16 at everyone on the range. So be safe and follow all the range rules.
During a Cease Fire most ranges require you to stop shooting, open your action and step back behind usually an actual physical line.
I’ve learned that everyone’s a shooting instructor. Everyone has their own opinion about how to shoot well. Some have no training, some have bad training, and others never used the training they received. Those that know usually don’t volunteer correction. I’ve seen just about everything and I rarely open my mouth. I do with safety matters but that’s it. If asked I usually help. Correcting someone else is just bad manners. Don’t do it.
Make sure you clean up after yourself. Pick up brass, ammo boxes, target material, water bottles, or anything else that needs to be put in trash. Cleanliness is important in every aspect of your life but just as important for a trip to the range as well.
Being mindful of those around you in all things is just the kind courteous thing to do. My range bag has extra ear plugs, safety glasses, and ear muffs. I also have lots of targets. They’re just paper plates but they serve my purpose. I want to encourage people to shoot. Being courteous and safe are good ways to do that. Sometimes that first visit to the range can make or break a return shooter.
I’ve developed some great friendships meeting others on the shooting range. If we keep range etiquette we can find a lot of friends who feel as we do. Remember to some like myself going to the range is a rejuvenating experience. Don’t ruin my reverence for the range!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn