When I first got word that Chris Kyle...famed SEAL Sniper... had been killed by a deranged Ex-Marine, I couldn't wrap my head around it.
The only question I had and still have is why?
But I then took it a step further....what does it mean for the firearm training industry?
People outside the gun community know little to nothing about it, but firearms training is one of the boom industry's these days. How will they react to the news that a student, a vet, a person who MIGHT be suffer from PTSD did something this horrific.
And then I thought about Gabe Suarez.
Think what you will about the guy (I personally think he's pretty squared away) but even on photo shoots he deploys security.
I imagine that's what we'll see more of.
And that's really the shame of it. Once the range was a place where you could go and enjoy the shooting sports without worry, now I view it as just another public place to be cautious at.
The only question I had and still have is why?
But I then took it a step further....what does it mean for the firearm training industry?
People outside the gun community know little to nothing about it, but firearms training is one of the boom industry's these days. How will they react to the news that a student, a vet, a person who MIGHT be suffer from PTSD did something this horrific.
And then I thought about Gabe Suarez.
Think what you will about the guy (I personally think he's pretty squared away) but even on photo shoots he deploys security.
I imagine that's what we'll see more of.
And that's really the shame of it. Once the range was a place where you could go and enjoy the shooting sports without worry, now I view it as just another public place to be cautious at.
As long as insurance companies can discriminate against mental illness patients by charging a different rate or restricting access AND people in society view mental illness as a character defect or lack of willpower, then people won't get treated and won't want to be treated.
ReplyDeleteI remember when the National Guard guys were getting home after a year in Iraq. The NG said, "if you have any health concerns, you can stay on base for the next few weeks being diagnosed and filling out paperwork. For those of you who are perfectly healthy, you can join your families ASAP"
Or when servicemen and -women are seeking treatment for PTSD, some are flagged by their units and it kills their careers.
or the VA creates so many hoops and hurdles it becomes easier to those who suffer to just give up seeking care?
Who would seek health care faced with that many obstacles?
then the services turn around and can't figure why the suicide rate among vets is so high.
I always keep my eyes open and my sidearm along with an extra mag on me while at the range. JUST in case.
ReplyDeletewell you were doing it WAAAAAY better than me. i never considered the range a danger area. stray bullets are always a possibility but those who train with guns (at least my belief was) have a certain discipline and respect. i don't think that anymore. my plate carrier WILL have sapi plates in them now...at all times and if i could get away with it i'd probably wear a helmet too. iknow that sounds paranoid but i really should have considered way before the Chief got murdered that a whole new group of people are piling into the shooting sports. i guess our sport is about to experience some growing pains.
DeleteI wouldn't get too paranoid about going to ranges, at least not yet. While this is an absolute tragedy, one murder by a range does not a trend make. It does go to show however that murders can happen anywhere, and you should always be vigilant. Still, I think the odds of any of us having to use our weapons in self-defense at a shooting range is probably far less likely than anywhere else on the planet.
ReplyDelete