So how come....

[Seldom Seen #16162]

I spent a lot of years being paid to have guns pointed at me, and pointing them at someone I didn't know, should the necessity arise. I am very uncomfortable having guns pointed at me or pointing guns at anyone unless such a necessity occurs. I don't enjoy watching it happen when a lot of essentially uncontrolled people who are terrible ham actors do it in public places with crowds of spectators running around.

 

Shooting targets is another matter altogether.

 

Now that I've alienated everyone, I'll take my hoop and roll it someplace else.

 

+1 & 2 & 3

 

It is inherently dangerous to point a real firearm loaded with less than lethal ammunition at anybody. While blank ammunition is lethal for a short distance there is the risk of a N.G. at close range or as was the case of recent event a live round being fired and onlookers were injured.

 

Reenacting also promotes poor gun handling since safety requires that you aim away from your target.

[Brasspounder]

I got roped into doing it ONCE....And I'll never do it again.

 

There were two things involved that bothered me about it afterward...A lot.

 

When we hollered "everybody down" on the train we were about to defend against a robbery

attempt, it literally scared hell out of way too many people...It was unexpected by them,

and a little "too real" I guess..

 

Also, and more importantly, when one of the other fellers leveled his pistols at me, I "reacted" without thinking

much about it....and I hauled iron and "shot back"... good thing the blanks we used were properly made.

 

I just ain't comfy with other folks about to go "shooting" at me, acting or not.

Survival instincts, or whatever you might want to call it, take over.

 

Bp

[Chicago Steeley SASS 26520]

So... I am recruiting. I used this post to reach the interested and I knew Id have to endure the varieties of opinions here.

 

Like usual my Kentucky Friends were.....Friends! Thanks!

 

Again, you may make fun of us, say we are unsafe, etcetera BUT most of us are SASS members and additionally we are part of an Organization THE AMERICAN FRONTIER REENACTMENT GUILD, that Insures us and Governs what we do and how we do it.

 

Cornball? Ya, but we consistently bring in 500 - 1,000 people per show. They come back every year. Kids and Adults love us. Thanks. Maybe Ill get a new Actor or two out of this, maybe not. Thing is, the future of SASS and CAS is tied in with us. We spark interest in the Wild West. We reach kids that John Wayne doesnt anymore. I am your Brother here so dont beat me up.

 

Chicago Steeley, Coles County Regulators.

 

 

AMERICAN FRONTIER REENACTMENT GUILD

SAFETY RULES

There is no substitute for safety, and AFRG safety rules are set forth to insure the safety of our members as well as spectators. ANY VIOLATION OF RULES HEREIN CAN DISQUALIFY A MEMBER IN CONTINUING MEMBERSHIP.

A. Any local ordinance will apply and takes precedence and will be automatically be included in the safety rules of the Guild and all affiliates of the same. This pertains particularly to the wearing of weapons away from the performance areas. If members wear weapons while walking through spectators as a matter of show, all performers will be in pairs outside the performance area.

B. The Safety Officer for each group will hold a safety check 10 minutes before the first event. The SO will check for safe ammunition (Blanks) Hollywood or self loaded that DO NOT and CAN NOT fire any form of projectile which includes wax, cardboard or any other material. Wadding for all weapons will be checked by the SO to insure it is safe and cannot harden or become a form of projectile. We suggest floral foam use in hand loads. Crimped blank rounds will be allowed if proven totally safe and are from a proven vendor as designated by the National Safety Officer. Questions regarding these must be sent to Corporate with a round to be inspected. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL CRIMPED ROUNDS BE RELOADED. Before each skit a gauge rod will be placed down the barrel of each Reenactor’s handgun to check for jamming by any means. The SO has FULL decision if a weapon is taken to the field or not. Black powder weapons should be properly cleared after each performance and away from spectators.

C. No live ammunition will be carried on or about any Reenactor at any AFRG event or at a private show. This applies to the city or town in and around the location of reenactment, show or place of reenactment. . If any live ammunition violation is committed, the said Reenactor will be escorted out of the reenacting area, and the weapon and rounds will be removed by the SO. The illegal live ammo will be confiscated and the weapon may be returned to the Reenactor, and the Reenactor from that point will be terminated from AFRG. This also refers to rounds in belt ammo loops, and these will be for show only and must be safe dummy rounds.

D. Under no circumstances will alcohol be consumed before and up to the end of the show or competition day. No alcohol will be consumed by any Reenactor while wearing guns, at any time.

E. When an AFRG member is transporting weapons, they will be secured in the manor in compliance with state, county, and city ordinance.

F. A safety perimeter will be set up around the area and/or makeshift arena and will separate the Reenactor from the spectators. An announcement will be made that NO ONE is allowed in the performance area except performers and there family or visiting and insured performers from another group. This perimeter is made up of rope or yellow or orange caution tape or cones designating a closed of performance area and 30 feet is the minimum depth from the performance set to the front rope where all spectators are expected to remain. Performers will need to adjust their verbal presentations to work in this manner.

No AFRG performance will take place without the appropriate safety talk and demonstration being presented. This refers to ALL performances being done by AFRG members.

The rules for safety lines will pertain also to any area using open fires, such as Chuck Wagon demonstrations and Living History Encampments. If spectators cannot get close to heated Dutch ovens, they cannot get burned. Fire areas will be subject to the rules of the venue. Ground fires shall be subject to local permission.

G. When firing blanks at a Reenactor during a skit performance, a 15 foot rule applies. Shotguns will require 25 feet. NO firing of weapons will be allowed toward the spectator when fully possible and the 30 feet distance from the spectators. Firing weapons should also be done so that it appears to be aimed at the opposition, but faded off of a direct shot when possible. . A weapon will not be pointed at anyone at any time, except by performers in their respective skit. When a weapon is pointed at another Reenactor in a skit that is closer than 5 feet, the weapon must me empty of rounds.

H. Performers 16 years of age and older may carry and fire a weapon in performance only. The required State waiver will be signed by the parent or legal guardian prior to the performance. Performers under the age of 16 are NOT permitted to carry or fire a weapon EVER. No performer under the age of 16 will be shot at and die during any performance.

I. There will be NO belly blasts, exploding blood packs, at any time. A pre-placed trickle of blood from the nose or mouth is allowed. All performers will make sure that all items used in the performance areas are safe. Knives used in any performance will not be sharp edged and will be inspected for safety.

J. Pyrotechnics will only take place by the setup of a licensed professional pyrotechnical expert and full clearance with the State and Group Safety SO.

K. Special f/x may take place providing section “J” is met above and it has been determined that any Reenactor or Spectator is not in danger. Stunts are allowed providing another Reenactor (not performing the stunt) is free of becoming injured from the person/s performing the stunt. This also applies to the location of the stunt in the proximity of the audience.

L. Spectators MAY NOT touch or hold a Reenactors gun at any time for any reason.

ANIMALS/LIVESTOCK AT EVENTS:

NOTE: The SO, State Rep and/or Event Manager each have authority to request removal of any animal brought to an AFRG event by a Reenactor or vendor if the animal’s behavior is deemed as disruptive or dangerous to the general public and/or other reenactors (i.e. biting, kicking, barking, growling, etc.). They also have authority to request an owner to modify their own behavior with said animal in terms of abuse or dangerous activity (i.e., cruelty to animal, dangerous use of animal, being in unauthorized location, etc.). Failure to make the requested modification could result in the removal of animal and/or owner, as well.

THE OWNER OF ANY ANIMAL BROUGHT TO AN AFRG EVENT IS HIS/HER RESPONSIBILITY.

All animals shall have required up to date vaccinations in including Coggan’s, Rabies, and any other required by ordinance. The SO may ask for papers proving both/either at his/her discretion. Failure to have proof may result in the participant being requested to remove the animal in question.

Any animal (whether ridden, lead or driven) which is to be in the vicinity of gunfire activity (such as during a skirt or presentation) must be cleared by the SO prior to the event, and the intended use of the animal must be clearly detailed. The gun safety clearance will likely take place at the same time as the splatter tests and is intended to prove that the animal is conditioned to gunfire and thereby not a safety threat.

Unattended animals shall be tied, secured or enclosed to protect visitors…common sense should govern, but the SO has the final say on a case-by-case basis. His/her requests are to be adhered to or removal of animal and/or Reenactor may ensue.

Each group is responsible for knowing the Equine rules for the Sate being performed in. They are simple to follow and prevent problems.

AFRG is a drug free organization. Any member that is found to be using ANY illegal drugs will be found to be unfit and the Group will decide on the remedy. AFRG will also make a decision as to membership.

All safety concerns as it pertains to spectators, will be addressed by the SO on site and that decision will be final.

American Frontier Reenactment Guild

Revised and updated 6/30/2011 ©

[Grizzly Adams 3674]

Thing is, the future of SASS and CAS is tied in with us. We spark interest in the Wild West. We reach kids that John Wayne doesnt anymore. I am your Brother here so dont beat me up.

 

Chicago Steeley, Coles County Regulators.

 

 

+1

 

Best of luck, Chicago Steeley.

[Seldom Seen #16162]

Humans in general can rationalize the most dangerous of activities. Skydiving is a good example and the odds are the more jumps the greater the chances for injury.

 

Blank ammunition is dangerous. Pointing a empty gun at someone is foolish and shows poor judgment. Pointing a gun loaded with blanks in my view is even worse judgment. I participate in Mounted Shooting. The courses are carefully designed so we are shooting into the center of the arena and at a downward angle. The risk of injury is limited to the horse and rider.

 

With your activity it is very easy to shoot towards the crowd.

 

This is one issue that you're not going to change any minds no more than I will change yours. For me the consequences of making a mistake is too much.

 

http://www.civilwarnews.com/archive/articles/reenactor_shot.htm

 

http://www.wpxi.com/news/28292521/detail.html

 

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2094737/posts

[Guest diablo slim shootist]

I did it once...only once

could not point the gun directly at your opponent

even with blanks ..safety reasons.

My family was in the audience and when I got shot(i was the bad guy)

I could hear my young Grand daughter exclaim"Mommy!Grampys hurt!"

She was always the sensitive one..Felt bad it freaked her out.

[John William McCandles #963]

Sierra Sue and I do both plus work trail riding in. I like shooting CAS not necessarily with SASS but also enjoy re-enacting with the group I helped form "The Old West Players". We did the Tonto Rim anniversary sale this past June along with a few other shows each year.

You can join The Reenactment Guild of America and your insurance is part of the dues. This is individual insurance. www.rgamerica.org

[Sergeant Smokepole #29248L]

I have gone to re enactments before. I enjoyed them.

 

I am a shooter, not an actor.

 

I applaud everybody that does these kinds of things because it is not easy to go out in front of a crown and perform. I know! That is why I am not an actor.

 

Go for it Steeley.....

[Chicago Steeley SASS 26520]

I have gone to re enactments before. I enjoyed them.

 

I am a shooter, not an actor.

 

I applaud everybody that does these kinds of things because it is not easy to go out in front of a crown and perform. I know! That is why I am not an actor.

 

Go for it Steeley.....

 

 

I seen your act Sarge.... In the tough neighborhoods in Chi Town in a blue uniform...... Id be afraid to start shooting at you...

[That Masked Man]

To "re-enact" something it must first be 'enacted' (sic) so I would have to say 'reenactor' is typically a misnomer.

 

That said, I joined a crowd of 'reenactors' last weekend and had a good time with it. Note that their event conflicted with a SASS shoot, and I had to make a choice and pick one; the SASS event almost always wins out over the 'reenacting'. Maybe I'm just blessed that there is a CAS shoot almost every weekend in my area.

 

A big shout out to our Atlanta-area CAS clubs here!! Between the River Bend Rough Riders, Doc Hollidays' Immortals, the Cherokee Cowboys and the new South River Shootists, there's almost never a weekend without a CAS match going on! These clubs are THE BEST, so I feel sorry for all the CAS shooters who don't live right here in North Georgia! I know the rest of you Cowboys and Cowgirls all love your local clubs too, so don't hate me for being partial

 

So for me, that's reason #1 that I don't personally attend or participate in more reenactment 'stuff', because it almost always requires me to give up a chance to do CAS.

 

That, and reenactors often don't go for my B-Western look, something about 'authenticity' they're always harping on. Lucky for me and a certain other silver screen hero, that's not always the case:

 

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad309/That_Masked_Man/Rock%20Ranch%202011/Marv_Gunpoint.jpg

 

Hi-Yo and Awaaaayyyy,

TMM

[Mustang Gregg]

 

Well, I used to enjopy them. In fact when I was in NCOWS, I participated in a couple that were based on historical events.

After showing up at one (where we'd never been before) with new "actors" and finding them walking up with revolvers pre-loaded with ball ammo---I quit going and swore off participating.

I reckon I might do it again, if I actually knew the other "actors" and their safety views.

 

But it just ain't the same as SASS.

 

Mustang Gregg

(who likes shooting real ammo better)

[Van Morgan]

Never done reinacting or ever even gone to an event although I have a degree in history. Thought about it, but not quite the same as a lot have said about being able to shoot real ammo. I don't even shoot to compete, just to have fun but as long as I can continue to shoot safely I will shoot when I can.

[Jackson Haller]

Howdy!

 

I'm not interested in the slightest in doing or watching cowboy shootout re-enactments.

1. I like to target shoot with live ammo. I have have no interest whatsoever in acting ( which is what re-enactments consist of).

2. Most I have seen in this part of the country were very poorly staged, acted, and costumed. They were no-where near period correct in clothing, guns, gear and included things like smokeless blanks, double action revolvers, buscadero rigs, modern cattleman crease hats, modern jeans etc.

3. The participants were definitely NOT SASS/CAS shooters.

 

BTW, I do NOT consider cowboy shootout re-enactors our 'brothers', nor do I consider the future of CAS/SASS tied to them. CAS/SASS is a live ammo SHOOTING sport, not an ACTING job. I consider other shooting sport members our 'brothers', not acting troupes. I believe CAS/SASS's future is tied to the other shooting sports.

[Derby Crighton]

They are completely different animals.

 

I enjoy CAS both for the costuming and the shooting.

 

I have done WW2 Reenactment/Ground Theater and that was for the specticle. I am usually in none shooting roles as I CAN shoot REAL firearms elsewhere.

 

I have also part of reenactment expeditions, that is where one goes on a track in the wilderness following the path of explorers of old with the same kit and foot and such (modern first aid and emergency comms aside)

 

I also enjoyed wearing a real uniform

 

They may share a lot of traits/costumeing et cetra but none are the same beast and those whom enjoy one may not find the other thier cuppa tea.

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

Many years ago when my boys were in Cub Scouts, a couple of re-enactors gave put on a gunfight demonstration. Before they did their bit, they very carefully explained that a gun should never be pointed at anyone even when you knew it wasn't loaded, etc. etc. Then they proceeded to shoot each other with blanks. That bothered me then and still does. Took a bit of talking to my boys to unwind that bit of double talk.

 

I don't want anyone pointing a gun at me and vice versa. Here's why:

 

Article

[Guest Winchester Jack, SASS #70195]

I see a difference betwen "re-enactors" as those who are in Civil war re-enactments and "wild west shows" much like you used to see at Knotts Berry farm back in the 60's. I belong to the Central Coast Desparados and we put on wild west shows for different charities and groups (even shot up a wedding once). Most of our members also shoot CAS. Safety is our byword first, last and always. Lousy actors? well we aint polished for sure!!! but it is a hoot.

 

We also do a demonstration before hand to show the danger of blanks and how they are used safely in our shows. and no it isnt SASS or CAS

[Steel-eye Steve SASS #40674]

Speaking as someone who has been a Revolutionary War and Civil War reenactor I would say that Cowboy reenactors are bad actor wannabees while Cowboy Action Shooters are worse actor wannabees......I'm joking of course.....or am I?

 

DD

Your not!