Be certain of your backstop - Accident in Norway.

Not at all and please dont be so silly. Part of the training books and quite a lot of the practical test on the day is all about safe shots and backstops... But then again you know it all?
 
Not at all and please dont be so silly. Part of the training books and quite a lot of the practical test on the day is all about safe shots and backstops... But then again you know it all?
Nope not at all I'm always learning and for the record I've done the level 1 but I don't believe it creates safer shooters , eberybody has to sit a driving test doesn't stop unsafe drivers does it???
 
You have contadicted yourself the by more or less saying scrap the highway code and the theory exam and the actual test and just drive and learn by your mistakes. I have been shooting safely since 1970 and learn more every day whether off here or off the interweb. Some people that i know just get a rifle and want to kill everything and plenty off here shoot squirrels on tree tops.
There was a case up near Aberdeen a few years ago with a woman with 3 bullet holes in her window and it was a rabbit controller on a golf course a mile away.
 
You have contadicted yourself the by more or less saying scrap the highway code and the theory exam and the actual test and just drive and learn by your mistakes. I have been shooting safely since 1970 and learn more every day whether off here or off the interweb. Some people that i know just get a rifle and want to kill everything and plenty off here shoot squirrels on tree tops.
There was a case up near Aberdeen a few years ago with a woman with 3 bullet holes in her window and it was a rabbit controller on a golf course a mile away.
Youre putting words in my mouth there sir I never said there shouldn't be testing and courses but the commentsearlier on clearly say that he wouldn't have passed a level 1 , why not ? If you remember the stuff on theday and shoot ok then you have your level 1 , what I'm saying is training and courses are no garuntee of competence !! The way some talk on here one would think that the dsc courses would cure all the worlds ills and sto any accidents whatsoever !! Sorry but I'm not stupid enough to believe that
 
Forget any connection with DSC on our part - for heaven's sake guys it seems at times that members of SD could start a fist fight over whether it was dark outside! :banghead:

There's a real grain of truth in what's being said - it depends upon your outlook on the meaning of 'education'. If you've a head full of angst about something or other it becomes hard to see beyond that - hence post after post, after post, after ( think you get my drift :D) gets side tracked down the same old same old. Its an open forum, but it gets pretty boring.

In the vein of boring - I'll repeat - the oft repeated opinions of a few are shutting off the positives of SD for the many. That benefits no one.

Back to the original post - every instance is tragic both for those concerned and for the sport. I agree a piece of paper of itself makes no difference. The education behind that piece of paper may or may not make a difference - depends upon what was imparted education wise and not least the mindset of the recipient.

Many such instances come down at the fundamental level to ego. QED I'd say ;)
 
Back to the original post - every instance is tragic both for those concerned and for the sport. I agree a piece of paper of itself makes no difference. The education behind that piece of paper may or may not make a difference - depends upon what was imparted education wise and not least the mindset of the recipient.

The problem I've got with it is the number of people who think that the piece of paper makes them safe shooters and that those that don't have it should have. In my opinion it's those closed minded people who are most likely to become complacent because they are QUALIFIED. A bit like God botherers of the stalking fraternity. Add to that (bearing in mind I was in the training profession for many years) the common misconception that education and training means a course and a qualification at the end of it. Practical experience over a number of years beats a bit of paper over a few days hands down.
 
DaveK - exactly, we agree on that - and hence my proposition that it comes down to ego.

Taking out novice stalkers, when we discuss safety I often use the example of having a self test question - ' Right now do I believe an accident wont happen because I'm that good or do I believe that an accident will happen and I need to be fully switched on'? Its an attempt to get across that may issues - safety being but one - are ongoing not a case of 'learning once'.

Its an old saw, but often true in reality - the most 'dangerous' shooters are the old ones who believe they know whats what, not the new ones who are really applying constant thought to doing the right thing.

 
Yup. And add to that the old adage "most firearms accidents happen with unloaded rifles"

I think you're being a bit unjust though to narrow dangerous shooters down to old ones. I think it applies across the board and comes down to complacency. In a previous role as RO for an indoor gun club I found the most dangerous probationers to be ex squaddies followed by airgunners wanting to shoot "bullet guns"
 
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