I shoot at a gun range on a weekly basis. It's a retail establishment that sells long guns of all types and handguns. I was sitting at a table inside talking with a friend after we were done shooting. As my friend and I were talking I looked up to see a woman handling a pistol she was apparently thinking of buying. The salesman, on the other side of the counter, was with her as well as her husband.
After the third or fourth time of staring down the barrel I politely (at least I think I tried to say it politely) asked the woman if she would please point the gun in another direction - or something to that affect. She gave me a half smile and moved the gun in a different direction. All well and good.
But. . . . . . .after the exchange between the gun buyer and myself the salesman looked at me, spoke up, and said "This is a gun shop. We sell guns. I cleared the gun 3 times myself." My response "Perhaps you did, but I didn't clear it. And, as I remember it, one of the safety rules is to treat all guns as if they are loaded."
His response was "If this makes you nervous maybe you should go outside." I opened my mouth to respond but, instead, removed myself before I said something I might regret later - something I do way too often. . I frequent the business at least 2 times a week on a regular basis and have done so for years. Maybe the salesman was just having a bad day ? Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut ? Do you say something in a situation like described - or either ignore or relocate without saying anything ?
After the third or fourth time of staring down the barrel I politely (at least I think I tried to say it politely) asked the woman if she would please point the gun in another direction - or something to that affect. She gave me a half smile and moved the gun in a different direction. All well and good.
But. . . . . . .after the exchange between the gun buyer and myself the salesman looked at me, spoke up, and said "This is a gun shop. We sell guns. I cleared the gun 3 times myself." My response "Perhaps you did, but I didn't clear it. And, as I remember it, one of the safety rules is to treat all guns as if they are loaded."
His response was "If this makes you nervous maybe you should go outside." I opened my mouth to respond but, instead, removed myself before I said something I might regret later - something I do way too often. . I frequent the business at least 2 times a week on a regular basis and have done so for years. Maybe the salesman was just having a bad day ? Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut ? Do you say something in a situation like described - or either ignore or relocate without saying anything ?
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