Smoking at the range

Another view

I was at this match and loaded next to Jerry, the match director made an announcement that no smoking was allowed in the building or on the firing line before the match. I quit smoking 10 years ago and at no time did I smell smoke. After Jerry complained about the smoking the match director asked the guys smoking in front of the doors to stop and they complied. I caught another competitor smoking in the building after this and told him if I caught him again the Whittington center would ask him to leave. This is a 300 ft building and there was plenty of room to move. I fell we did everything we could to accomadate but their has to be a happy medium somewhere. I consider Jerry a good friend and respect his stance but feel there has to be a little give. Butch Fjoser
 
There are only a couple

of smokers who smoke on the line where I normally shoot. If I were a Match Director I would deem that there be no smoking either on the firing line or the loading area. While I think smoking should be prohibited at Rifle Ranges I guess I could go along with a designated smoking area.

Cigarett smoke doesn't affect me much but I find the scent of it to be repulsive. I smoked from age 14 to age 50; mostly pipes and cigars and enjoyed them. I still like the scent of pipe smoke and cigar smoke but have always found the scent of cigarett smoke to be acrid and not pleasant.
 
Butch

Thanks for your post. I was at the match, and I smoke. I probably stepped over the line once when I stepped into the building to light one up because of the wind, but immediately took it out side. Matter of fact, I never had any cigarettes in the building.................they were in my flag pole case on the rotation benches behind the firing line. I had one before each target.
I try to respect the other shooters, but I draw the line when someone trys to make me out as a second class individual because I smoke.
Jerry and others may indeed be "Super Sensitive" to smoke, but I don't think I need to run in the other direction when one of these people emerges from the loading building.
Jerry said something to the effect that maybe he won't go to any more matches because of this.
I say that if I cannot smoke at all at a match in the windy clean air that prevails in the Sangre De Cristo mountains of New Mexico, I may not shoot either.
BA
 
Butch, you know who was shooting immediately to my left and he's very close to a chain smoker. While he didn't smoke while shooting, he did smoke on the line before and after strings and inside the building.

Bryan, I'm usually the one who runs in the other direction.

pwolfppc, if it's a matter of who was there first, I unloaded my gear into the building on Wednesday right after lunch long before anyone else showed up. As far as growing up, I gave up smoking cold turkey after a long struggle. Evidently you're not grown up enough to do it yourself. I don't know who you are, but you sound rather nasty.

I figured that the discussion would descend to the level pwolfppc is exhibiting. So, I give up. You smokers win, I won't be coming to the matches anymore. But then I win too because I won't be around you.
 
As a match director and a shooter,

my opinion is that there should be no smoking at the benches. Many shooters sit at them before their relay to study the flags. I dont think it is a big issue to require no smoking at the benches before and during the shooting. Afterall, we outlawed cell phones due to disturbances at a bench. How a cell phone ringing disturbs anyone else besides the shooter in a match with guns going off etc more then having to choke someone elses smoke loses me. I am actually somewhat surprised it isnt already against the rules.
 
I don't smoke.

If I was a smoker, I sure as heck don't want others to dictate what I do. Seems like government control. You might like others controlling your life? I hate the vary thought. Outdoors is one thing, indoors is something else entirely. Smoking while re-loading is just plain stupid and stupid is as stupid does. The idea of me telling another what to do, is just stupid also.:D
 
I am with Big Al.

But, how about I poured hot coffee in your lap? I sometimes get sloppy.
It's hot. Cig. smoke is about the same to me.
I also believe in a 36" security perimeter. Your smoke is in my area.

Pwolf needs to grow up. You and your cig. smoke are violating the area.
YOU need to move. Come back when you are done. You are the weak one with a bad habit. Keep it to your self. And die by yourself. Oh, and you are pretty selfish also. Grow up. You don't own the world.:eek:

There are enough rude people on the firing line. Some guys won't even let a person finish his string. They start talking, picking up their gear, bumping into people,.....
7 min. is not too long.
Oh, yea. That guy had to have a cigarette. Couldn't wait. Had to go.
The range master even said something about being polite.
But, he had to have a cigarette. :rolleyes:
 
To the extent that one's actions effect another, they become his business. What I am getting here is that some smokers, and non-smokers fail to understand the extent to which secondhand smoke bothers some people, or in some cases, may understand and are aggressively inconsiderate. I agree with Jerry, and although smoke does not bother me, calling someone who objects to it a "whiner" does. I don't like big, intrusive government any more than anyone else, but I welcomed smoking laws. As a young adult, I smoked cigars, and for a short while a pipe. My dad smoked until I was in high school. I understand smoking.
 
My last post on this subject

My statement about not attending matches was not made in a fit of pique. I just don't want to drive 600 miles and then have to wonder how many times and to where I'll have to move to avoid cigarette smoke. I started shooting benchrest after having knee replacement surgery on both knees. Prior to that I was shooting Palma and other fullbore matches at the Whittington Center. The knee surgery made it extremely painful to get into and out of the prone position and work targets in the pits so I moved to benchrest as that was less painful on my knees. At the long range matches smoking is prohibited on the line and in the target pits. So the only place I have to maneuver around smoke is outside the Bald Eagle building and that's very doable.

Well, my knees are getting better and I may be able to go back to the long range prone shooting next year. I've gotten to like shooting through scopes, so I'll probably shoot F-Class. I'll still try to shoot benchrest at local matches as I won't have that much travel time invested if I run into the same smoke situation.

Butch, Mike, Greg, Todd, Jack and others, I've really enjoyed shooting with you and have learned so much from all of you. I'm profoundly grateful for the kindness and consideration you have shown me and will miss the camaraderie at the matches.

pwolfppc, this is my last whine. :p
 
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you are just expressing an opinion very calmly

not like thaqt other idiot,
I hope to see him at the range so when he blows smoke in my face i use a spray can of el farto and get him back,

then the fist i cuffs are on , ya think

then we get blamed for being the bad guys,

I can hardly wait for the regional meeting,

Jefferson
 
Smoking

I run the matches in Albuquerque NM. I will not ban smoking, however, there will be no smoking on the line, in the loading area, or between the line and building. You can smoke all you want on the west and east ends of the building, which we believe to be fair. This distance is only 40feet, which is not a lot to ask. There will be a supply ashtrays at both ends of the building. Please no butts on the ground. I hope Raton will consider this too.Todd Tyler
 
I only saw one shooter smoking on the line and in the loading barn at Raton. Smoking killed both my parents. I somked for 25 or more years but gave it up when I found out my mother had lung cancer. I watched her die over a 4 year period of time. Not something you want to experience. My dad died at age 49, heart attack from smoking. I have had 5 bypasses, doc said it was result of my smoking years. And I had not smoked in over 20 years. I hate tobacco in all forms. Only 20-25% of people smoke. Just look around, smokers are in a minority. You would think with all the information we have now about cancer and heart problems people would wise up. I can smell cigarette smoke from 20 feet away. In my opinion people that smoke are either just dumb, have no will power or just don't give a sh*t about other peoples feelings or health. I wish they would put a $10/pack tax on cigarettes. Maybe that would help pay for the treatment they have to have in later life. Smoking is banned in most public buildings and restuarants, why not on the shooting line and loading area. I really don't care if someone inhales the smoke, just don't exhale, OK. I have friends that smoke and I put up with it to a degree. If our damn government would quit subsidising all the tobacco farmers, the price of tobacco would probably be $10 per pack. But they just love the tax they get on the tobacco products. Smoking around people without asking is just rude, period. If you must smoke, go off by yourself so that you only contaminate your own lungs. And if you smoke and will not attend another match because you can't smoke when and where you want to, good, you will not be missed. Wake up smokers, you are not only killing miserable selves but all the people that have to breath your second hand smoke. I hope I stepped on some toes.

Donald
 
You know, I've always wondered that if it is somebody's right to smoke where they like irrespective, is likewise somebody else's right to toss a bucket of water over them?

I'd love to see a couple of ambulance chasers slug that one out in a court of law.
 
I only saw guys smoking outside. I'm not sensitive to second hand smoke at all, but I don't consider someone to be a whinner if they are more sensitive to it. The person that was said to be smoking inside should definetly not be allowed to do so in the reloading area. I have also witnessed a shift in the wind which can carry the smoke indoors. I believe the smokers should pay attention to the wind direction when smoking outside the doors. I hate it that you had to leave. I'm fortunate to not be bothered in any way by other peoples habits.

Michael
 
The majority of smokers do not understand how selfish they are and how big a pig they are. Evidence of that is on the ground everywhere people congregate.

Smoking at a public event should be limited to an area designated for smoking. This area can not be where any contestant is required to be to compete or load, use a washroom, eat, what ever... the smoker should be the one who has to avoid all these areas when smoking.

A few more years and that will probably happen. The sooner the better.

My apologies to those responsible smokers if they find this offensive. It is a very tough addiction to overcome.

It kills thousands every day in North America.

In China about 4300 die every day from lung cancer and other tobacco related illness.
 
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Jerry.
Sorry to hear you are leaving the short range sport. We need more people not less.
I am just getting started. I do shoot registered matches. Went to the Super Shoot this year. Had a great time.
I pay dues at 2 clubs and shoot at both. When not working weekends.
Almost all of the people, I have met in Benchrest, are really nice people. Give you the shirt off their back. :D
Some people don't realize they are being rude. Some people work at it.

You know, we maybe mixing apples and oranges.
Pwolf may not even belong to a club. Or shoot competition.....

Anyway Jerry. We need more people like you. You saw a problem and wanted to fix it. Effort is half the battle.
Jerry thanks for helping out. :)
 
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This discussion is ironic. I imagine that most of the people who are complaining are ex-smokers like me. Would this discussion have been any different in 1979.

It is funny how things change.

Concho Bill
 
Hypersensitive or not no one should have to put up with that. Many think they have to get jivved up/settled down by their weeds and caffeine. Others dont agree and find it obnoxious.
 
fUNNY

I agree most are X smokers. Of course it's hard to tell when they hide behind a pin name. I am a smoker and most of my shooting the last 30+ years I traveled with none smokers. I had no problem not smoking in the cars or trucks with them. I also tried not to smoke around none smokers or at least down wind. Another thing I don't think you can blame all your ills on smokers, with the wind at most ranges in the southwest it's most likely the dust causing your ills. Just like the last guy I traveled with and for a time myself. And I will sign My real name.
Bob Dodd
 
Ex Smokers

I have to agree with Bill Wynne. I being a Ex Smoker (recentley 3months) can't stand the smell of a cigarrette. Yet I'll stand by a camp fire all night Bar-BQ all afternoon and the smoke doesn't bother me in the least (go figure). I do believe that Ex Smokers are the HARDEST on smokers,why is that ?
 
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