Clint Steele

I get that 99% of the time that loaded guns left on the loading table are perfectly safe. But 1% of the time they aren't. Why isn't it our responsibility to anticipate that 1%, and to make sure our loaded firearms are safe 100% of the time? I don't understand the reluctance to call out shooters for not making sure their loaded firearms are in their complete control. Control at the loading table. Different from when firearms are staged at tables ready for course of fire. A shooter's loaded firearms are that shooters' responsibility. Tell me why I'm wrong.

There is a distinction between fault and responsibility. The guy who knocked the loaded pistol off the table is at fault and should have gotten the MDQ. The shooter who owns his loaded guns is responsible for them. A loaded pistol was dropped at the loading table. The guy who knocked it off didn't confess. The owner of the gun is ultimately responsible. I don't agree that he should have gotten the MDQ, but he did, and I'm not saying it's wrong. He bears the ultimate responsibility.

Gentlemen, I stand by my comment that your loaded guns are ultimately your responsibility. I trust that the shooters in my club won't mess with them while I leave them at the loading table to go back to my cart. But this post is about a shooter who knocked another shooter's loaded pistol off the table, so those situations obviously happen. If you leave a loaded gun unattended you are responsible for it. If you don't think that's the case then I won't be shooting with you at your match.

My comment said "at the loading table the shooter is (or should be) within arms reach of all guns." Once that shooter makes the decision to leave his loaded guns unattended at the loading table, he should take responsibility for what happens to them while he is gone. He made the decision to leave them unattended. We've all done it, but with decisions come consequences. Would you leave loaded guns anywhere else and simply walk away? The point of this post is even experienced SASS shooters get careless sometimes with other people's guns. Ultimately your guns are your responsibility.

That's a fair point for sure, however, at the loading table the shooter is (or should be) within arms reach of all guns and should be aware enough of the bumping and jostling going on to protect his guns from getting bumped off the table. On the line the shooter has already safely staged his guns and is about to commence his course of fire. However, the guy at the loading table who bumped the pistol off is a "shooter on the firing line" the moment he put his first gun on the table. So while I stand by my comment that a shooter needs to be responsible at all times for his own guns, I agree with PW and others that the penalty should be on the shooter at the loading table who knocked it off.

Welcome, Hillbilly Cat! Even though you're not new to shooting, I would encourage you to take a New Shooter's Clinic before you try to shoot a match - in fact, some clubs require it, such as the Cajon Cowboys in San Bernardino at the Route 66 Shooting Sports Park. Cajon shoots the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and usually offers new shooters' clinics on the second Saturday (for both men and women). There is a match this coming Saturday, but no clinics, as several of us, including our instructors, will be attending an annual match in Yuma. But if you can, head up and meet some people and observe. www.cajoncowboys.com --Clint

I'm probably in the minority here, but every shooter is responsible for his or her own guns at ALL times, especially when loaded. If you aren't paying attention and your gun gets bumped or knocked off, that is on you, even if the other guy caused it. I routinely keep my hand on my long guns at the loading table as I'm watching the current shooter for that very reason.

PSA: Anyone who shoots the California 2023 SASS State Championship in a one-handed category (Duelist and all iterations and Classic Cowboy) will be eligible to compete in our first ever Top Duelist Shoot-Off for a buckle (Men's and Women's buckles). The shoot-off and buckles are being sponsored by Aimless Lee and Sgt. Major O'Donnell because duelists almost never get to make it to the Top 16 Shoot-offs. More information at www.cajoncowboys.com

Hosted by the Cajon Cowboys in San Bernardino, southern California. Applications and waivers available at www.cajoncowboys.com