mpeltier Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Yesterday at our monthly Rifle match there was a stage that required half the targets be engaged while shooting the rifle with the support shoulder. A young man of 13 who has been shooting these competitions for about a year, stepped to the line, made ready, and after the buzzer, as he was in the process of shouldering the rifle to the support side, touched the trigger and AD'd a round downrange into the berm. His safety mindedness is excellent and he imediately stopped and looked at the RO, as he knew it was not right. The look on his face was that of surprise and embarresment and he asked to continue. He is my son and I was the RO. I said, "no, you are DQ'd" and instructed him to unload and show clear. I don't know which of us felt worse at that moment, but I am sure it was me. He took it well, though I could see his disapointment. And at the end of the day he still had the courage and dignity to shake hands and say good by to our fellow shooters.No excusses. No complaints. No arguments. Many adults I have seen DQ'd could take a lesson from him. Myself included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Diss Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Good job Pops. Way to instill integrity and responsibility. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 How many people are going to chime in and say he shouldn't have stopped until the RO told him to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankfan79 Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 This is a great father/son moment for BOTH of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaTact Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 (edited) How many people are going to chime in and say he shouldn't have stopped until the RO told him to? Not me. The kid knew he'd done wrong. But what's great is how he handled himself afterward. My hat's off to him and to you, mpeltier -- great example for some other shooters who wouldn't have taken DQ's as gracefully. Edited May 15, 2011 by SeaTact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Holman Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Good on him. And good on you for making the right call, no matter who the shooter is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLG8R Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Didn't realize this happened yesterday...everyone learns. Tell Junior he handled himself well, and he can shoot on my squad ANY time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpeltier Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Didn't realize this happened yesterday...everyone learns. Tell Junior he handled himself well, and he can shoot on my squad ANY time. I let dalton read these posts as I think they are good to help him understand how import it was for us both to have handled it the way we did. Dave, Your response means a lot to Dalton as he was a little embarrased. I did not mention it to you then, as I did not at the time want to add insult to injury until I got to talk to him about it on the ride home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double_r76 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 (edited) Edit b/c I was posting as you were posting that your son was reading... going to private message instead. -Randy Edited May 16, 2011 by double_r76 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 He handled it great. I've had friends I came to the match with want to leave the match when they got DQed and we were 1 hour away from home. Your son did great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 After spending some time squadded with you, I am not surprised at all that your son is a first class person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiskeyFoy Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thats awesome.. I just started to shoot with my dad this year and I have no doubt in my mind he would do the same. I know at 26 I would be hurt if my Dad DQ'd me and for a 13yo to handle it like he did puts most grown men I know to shame. From experience he will remember it forever and be a great memory (even if it seems like kind of a downer at the time) and when he is shooting with his kid years down the line he will be able to instill that same sense of respect and maturity to them. Good on ya to both of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALBY Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 hats off to the OP. I had to DQ my 13 YO shooter at our local match in march for a 180 violation (clearing a jam *on the line*). I DQ'd him on the spot(as palm RO). He was embarassed, but it was a learning episode. I hope I take my DQ as gracefully when my day comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Was this a USPSA rules match? If so, what rule did you use to DQ him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpeltier Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Was this a USPSA rules match? If so, what rule did you use to DQ him? No, thankfully it is not a USPSA match. At our range, any un aimed shot is a DQ, and it is announced in every match briefing prior to walk thru. We are in an area where there are hunters and out doors enthusiasts walking around and the club officers are concerned about rounds leaving the range. So this is where they draw the line so to speak. Lets not turn this into a rules discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Good on both of you for handling it well. I recently brought a new shooter to his first match. I avoided ROing him because I didn't want the temptation to let anything slide. He shot very safely and had a great time and is definitely hooked now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Was this a USPSA rules match? If so, what rule did you use to DQ him? No, thankfully it is not a USPSA match. At our range, any un aimed shot is a DQ, and it is announced in every match briefing prior to walk thru. We are in an area where there are hunters and out doors enthusiasts walking around and the club officers are concerned about rounds leaving the range. So this is where they draw the line so to speak. Lets not turn this into a rules discussion. Cool (you know us rules junkies are always lurking... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivers_AR Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 You've raised your son right, too many kids would throw a fit. He did the right thing and understand that first and foremost, its about safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JQ- Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 After spending some time squadded with you, I am not surprised at all that your son is a first class person. yep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aztecdriver Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Cool (you know us rules junkies are always lurking... ) More like stalking... Anyway - congrats to a well educated young man. I'd be extremely proud myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Hats off to both of you...Once you start letting things slide, where does/will it stop? You made the right call, and he handled it perfectly.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftylivesmatter Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Congrats! I've seen DQed people get there stuff and leave. Staying after a DQ shows great character!(unless he didn't have a ride home.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lino Felarca, M.D. Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 (edited) Kudos to you, Dad... and i'm sure your son will be a stronger and better shooter with this experience. Edited May 28, 2011 by Lino Felarca, M.D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunBugBit Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Way to be a good dad AND a good RO. Doing the right thing is what men do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downrange58 Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 This whole post does my heart good! I have a 14 year old in the sport and you and your son are welcome on my squad ANYTIME! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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