Don't do what I did!

M

Mike38

New member
I was in my favorite local gun shop this morning killing some time. There was a very attractive woman at the counter handling a compact .380 pistol. Needless to say, I mossy on over that way to see what was going on, mostly to hear the line of bull the salesman was probably giving her. This lady wasn’t thinking about buying, she had already bought it and was picking it up after the 3 day wait. It was obvious she knew little to nothing about a pistol. The salesman asked her how familiar she was with handguns. She just looked up at him and frowned. She finally said that she has never shot a gun in her life. I looked at her, then the salesman and shrugged my shoulders and walked away. Now that I think about it, what I did was wrong. I should have tried to explain to her that training was an absolute necessity. I should have tried to direct her towards a NRA shooting instructor, or even offered my assistance being that I’m a retired NRA Pistol Coach.

The salesman did give her a 3 minute crash course on where the safety is, how to load it, keep her finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, don’t point a gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy, etc.

Moral of my story is, if any one of us happens across a similar situation as I did today, do not do what I did. Offer to help the person out. If nothing more, tell them to visit the NRA web site and search for available training in their area.

Don’t do what I did! Lesson learned.
 
Someone suggested a .380 to her or she read about it somewhere. She can see that it is small and would fit easily into her purse or nightstand. Someone who knows what they're doing needs to be with her when she discovers, as too many women do, that most are not easy guns for a beginner to hold and shoot. Uncomfortable is often an understatement. Painful enough to make them not want to shoot it again and question the judgment of whoever suggested it in the first place is more likely. There are better handguns to start with. I always recommend that anyone planning to buy a .380 that has never fired a gun before try it before investing in one. Most beginners decide they like something else better.
 
Walking away was the right thing to do.
Your input may have made her more aprehensive having info coming at her from two different sources at once.
From a sales person's point of view, unsolicited bystander input is never welcomed during a transaction.
You never know what some goober may say and you'll have to spend two hours trying to undo the damage. Even if what you're saying is valid you should butt out.
She is a grown woman capable of seeking out the training she needs as she sees fit.
 
From a sales person's point of view, unsolicited bystander input is never welcomed during a transaction.
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From what I read the transaction was completed 3 days before. The customer was picking up the firearm after the three day waiting period. Advising anyone new to and unfamiliar with firearms on how and/or where to get training is never a bad idea. If the salesman can't or won't give that type of info to a customer he knows needs it, he shouldn't be selling guns to the general public, much less unwelcome it when it comes from another source.
 
Walking away was the right thing to do.
Your input may have made her more aprehensive having info coming at her from two different sources at once.
From a sales person's point of view, unsolicited bystander input is never welcomed during a transaction.
You never know what some goober may say and you'll have to spend two hours trying to undo the damage. Even if what you're saying is valid you should butt out.
She is a grown woman capable of seeking out the training she needs as she sees fit.
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Good grief, I couldn't disagree more. Are you serious?

If you're so darn concerned about the feelings of a salesperson, wait until they've made their statements then gently offer suggestions for training classes. It's every responsible gun owner's duty to make sure firearms are handled in a safe and respectable manner. No speeches need to be made, just point out local gun safety classes.

Analogy. Someone buys a whitewater kayak, and has no clue how to paddle. The salesperson says wear a PFD and shows how to pull the skirt.

Great.

Now someone needs to suggest lessons and a paddling club so they don't get in over their head and do something to get themselves killed.
 
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chris in va said:
Good grief, I couldn't disagree more. Are you serious?
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Yes, absolutly serious. Whenever you decide to start chipping in on the rent then you can begin to advise my customers. Until then, butt out.
 
buck460XVR said:
From what I read the transaction was completed 3 days before. The customer was picking up the firearm after the three day waiting period.
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The customer hadn't left the counter with her new purchase much less the premises. Transaction was nearing the end but not yet complete.

buck460XVR said:
If the salesman can't or won't give that type of info to a customer he knows needs it, he shouldn't be selling guns to the general public, much less unwelcome it when it comes from another source.
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None of your business what transpires between two law abiding people completely unconnected to you. Why is their business your business, they're not children in need of your supervision.
 
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"Yes, absolutly serious. Whenever you decide to start chipping in on the rent then you can begin to advise my customers. Until then, butt out."

Dead on.

I ran a recreational equipment retail store for 7 years and "get it". The last thing that any retailer wants is for a customer to interfere in a sales transaction. It's an immediate problem for the store owner, and is not how to make friends. Stay out of other peoples business, and never forget: It's a BUSINESS.


Willie

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Yes, never get between a salesman and a customer, even in a shop where you are a regular and the salesman is a real familiar.
 
I agree with what you did. Let someone aim her towards a professional training course. No offense, but alot of us pick up little habbits that aren't the best to share with new shooters.
 
Everyone is assuming here, that just because she said she knew nothing about guns, that she didn't have plans to get qualified training on the weapon. No one knows her plans but her.

As for her choice of a .380. I've owned one in the past that was not at all fun to shoot and I also currently own a p238 that shoots and handles extremely well. Just the same with any 9's I've had or currently have. Some are just better than others.

I also know that when I am in a gun store, unless I specifically ask someone for their thoughts, opinions or advice, I typically don't care for a random guy, or anyone, to walk up to me to start giving me any. That goes for the counter person as well.

I have to run into one of my local LGS's tomorrow to pick up a case of .223's. Now I'm going to be wondering how many guys are standing there wondering if I know what it is I've got in my hand?? :eek::eek:
 
I generally don't appreciate unsolicited advice from strangers at retail stores, and I would imagine that attractive women have been conditioned by society to like it even less.

The rules that are repeated in every firearm owner's manual I've ever seen, if followed, will be enough to keep her out of trouble, safety-wise. If she wants more training, she's a grown adult and probably knows how to use Google.
 
My beliefs as far as right and wrong are not always the same as those of others. Generally they are very similar but it seems people are rather unpredictable, expecially when it comes to responsibility and a gun is a big responsibility. Due to this fact im largely reluctant to help or advise a grown adult on much of anything. Who knows if i were in that situation and said anything at all... and then she messes up somehow or another i may come to find out her daddy is a wealthy lawyer and find her out to make me liable for my "bad advice". You did the right thing as stated before.
 
I think to offer some assistance would be polite. My wife and I were at a PA range on Saturday, her first time, and my first time at that 'unsupervised' range. I don't have tons of experience myself, but the experience I do have is at a very well controlled large range. The guy next bench over needed some serious advise, and I didn't give it, and now I feel stupid. He had a Viet-Nam Vet hat, and a bunch of patches on his jacket, so I guess it confused me that he was so screwed up. We were walking back with the group after setting targets, and he was jerking around with his rifle on the bench, muzzle flashing everybody. My thoughts went from yelling at him at the top of my lungs, to whacking him upside the head, but the more I thought about it later, he must have never been to a range before. Shiny stainless muzzleloader and all. Another time when the line was safe he slung his rifle on his sholder and walked to the targets with it. When they returned, his grandson had it on his shoulder, and was flashing everybody with it again.. The rest of the shooters there seemed to know what 'the line is safe' means, but nobody said anything to him.
 
Maybe it's different cos I'm a woman, but while I wouldn't suggest what kind of gun to buy (and I wouldn't have any idea, anyway), I would have definitely shared with her how important it was to learn everything there is to know about guns and gun safety in advance, maybe share my own experience. She already said that she never shot a gun before, so she very well might appreciate a little advice, especially if it's offered in a casual, friendly manner (though you would think she'd have the sense to do a little research on her own, geez.) :rolleyes:

Myself, I like when experienced gun owners offer me advice. I DON'T like it when gun store salesmen talk down to me, or if I dare to ask a question, they respond with a "I've been selling guns for 25 years but do what you want". I hate that. :mad:
 
If it was you "favorite local gun shop" like you mentioned, I would have considered butting in on that situation by greeting the sales person and the lady, and then tell her something like "nice gun". The sale is already done and you're not trying to steer her away from buying anything. If she seems open to talking about it or mentions that she is new to guns, then by all means give your advice. If she looks at you with a "get away from me you creep" look, then just back off. Most attractive women are used to being hit on and that's how she will probably take it. Do NOT offer to take her shooting unless SHE asks or unless you are a certified instructor.

As for telling people about safety rules and range etiquette, I have no issues politely telling someone if they are not acting in a safe manner.
 
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What if my 'business' is being friendly and talking to other people?
What would you think of a restaurant with a sign that said:
"Warning: Customers are not allowed to speak to one and another!"
Or a gun store.
I cannot believe how unfriendly some people can be. If 'unsolicited advice' or 'friendly advice' bothers you, maybe you are doing something wrong?
dc
 
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