Check this out. It’s another edition of “Strange at an Arizona Gun Range.” One minute a shooter is picking up brass. The next minute he was probably at the closest store picking up a new, clean pair of underwear.
Here’s what happened earlier this week, and why it’s important. To the gun friendly Republic of Arizona we go.
Lake Havasu City is located about 200 miles northwest of Phoenix. It’s also about 100 miles southwest of tiny White Hills, Arizona. You may recall White Hills from last summer as the home of the Bullets and Burgers Arizona Gun Range. This was where a 9-year old girl lost control of a mini-uzi and accidentally killed her range instructor.
Luckily, in this new Arizona Gun Range true story, no one was killed. The only thing hurt was surely some feelings.
The incident was during a shooting competition at the London Bridge Action Shooter Club in Lake Havasu City. (The Arizona city has actually re-assembled the original London Bridge which spanned the River Thames in London, England until 1967). Anyway, a range safety officer allows a new stage to begin running. The shooter routinely goes about his business. He’s actively engaging targets around barriers with his trusty pistol.
Then it gets interesting. The shooter suddenly notices something unusual.
One of his fellow competitors downrange is still on the course and in his line of fire. While he is picking up brass, the person seems clueless that another shooter is firing off fresh rounds, and he could soon be a target.
Here is a statement from the London Bridge Action Shooters Club:
During our last match, we experienced a very serious safety incident. A shooter was allowed to make ready and begin shooting a stage, while a person was still downrange. Fortunately, the person was spotted, the shooter stopped, and the incident concluded with no one being hurt or worse. We all should recognize a stage has poor visibility, or if an RO is being less-than-diligent. We should all do what we can to improve the situation — an extra set of eyes. There are not enough people who routinely shoulder this burden. Everyone needs to be involved.
Don’t worry about the anti-gunners or liberals. This Arizona Gun Range accident wasn’t sensational enough for them to take it and cry bloody murder again. Ares Armor is sharing the news as simply an important real-life reminder that there are no off-days when it comes to safety and diligence.
Joyce Wilson, the director of the International Defensive Pistol Association summed it up well, “This event serves as a reminder that complacency is the enemy of safety.”
Before you watch the video below, remember this Dear Friends of the Second Amendment… Even experienced shooters can make a mistake. So, wherever you’re shooting this weekend, make it a fun and safe one.