A not-so-nice reaction to the NRA

[jrapose]

I really do not want to start a fight, or to make folks mad...but I want to share a story with you and my frustration with the NRA.

A number of years ago I took my Nagant carbine to a local range in a small town and started a small grass fire shooting surplus ammo... not a big fire but what I think is that one of my rounds bounced off a steel gong over a hill into some dry grass.... (my best guess)
After shooting 40 rounds, I cleaned up my brass and put away my rifle and was just sitting there enjoying the range... when I saw what looked like dust coming from the backside of the range.... (I should have just driven away) but I ran over the hill and saw a small fire...maybe 8' by 10' in grass... so I started putting it out by stomping it out... next thing I saw was a helicopter over me taking pictures.... then about 15 minutes later the fire department arrived, 5 forest cops arrived, two hand crews arrived from the California Forestry and a water truck ....even 3 local police arrived just to laugh...

They put it out in minutes...by that time it had grown to maybe 20' by 30'....so I was happy to see them.... but then I got a $8500 bill from the Forestry for suppression costs... wait...that is why you go to a range and not shoot in the woods... is the range supposed to be a safe place to shoot ? I talked to the Forestry and they were nasty...so I called my insurance company and they said they would cover me...but I said no, I wanted to fight it... so I called the range master and he said they had NRA insurance... but he had no idea how to access it.... so I called the NRA... guess what, you can't get past the phone operator.. I complained so hard they finally let me talk to someone in Political Reform... she told me I was on my own..I could call advertisers in the magazine who might represent me but I would have to pay them...other than that they would not help me...at all... I quickly cancelled my NRA membership and said some things that I am not real proud of....
Next I called my congressman and he said he would take it to Washington and talk with the Secratery of the Interior.... he called back and said he thought it would be fine...just do not go back and start another fire.... then I got a suponea to appear in a Federal Court... another call to my pal the Congressman...and back to Washington.. this time he called me and said....no more... I can't go back there again...that guy now hates me.. but he will not press charges on you... (he said he lost a friend over this)... and don't call him again...
And it did go away...I am sure I am guilty, and I am sure they would love to burn me...but I was at a legal range, and it was inspected and determined safe by who ? the Forestry...so am I wrong ? My point is that we think the NRA is here for the individual, but they are not..they support the hobby/sport on a nationwide basis...but don't care about the poor person that accidently runs afowl of the law...

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Sad story. I would like to say your location is the problem with the USFS part but it is nation wide. Had a similar disappointing experance with the NRA insurance.I would think the range would have the resposability to maintain insurance for such things. What if there were many folks at the range how could they hold everyone responsable?

[WarPig1976]

Why admit any guilt in the first place? You don't know for sure you started the fire, correct? Even if you did know it was you, the best thing to do is keep your mouth shut,,,,you know, plead the 5th.

[ed skeels]

If you were you shooting tracers, I could see a problem. Never saw ball ammo start a fire.
My questions are, were all your rounds on target? Did the range have NRA Range approved berms? Would you have a called shot out of the range? Rocks in the berm? ETC.
Proof of guilt is the prosecutors job. No proof, sorry about their luck.
Ed

[Vincent]

If you own a machinegun, you will quickly figure out the NRA is not your friend.

[CINDERS]

Our club has its own insurance, we are not allowed to shoot steel on our range, are required to have a 1,000 ltr fire unit on the range during summer our range is surrounded by 1100 hectares of pine forrest we are not allowed tracers nor A.P ammo and one save I suppose the range is owned by the Australian Commonwealth - The Army.
Sometimes these big organisations pick their fights and one that gets them exposure how often has the little man who pays his dues been left holding the bag because he cannot afford a high class lawyer but they forget where their money comes from and that is from its members.
I hope you can move on and get back to enjoying range time at a different range.

[Seaspriter]

Why admit any guilt in the first place? You don't know for sure you started the fire, correct?

I have no idea how Forestry could "prove" you started the fire unless you "confessed" to it. I'm not a lawyer, but it would seem to me the responsibility is with the Range. And as long you weren't careless/negligent or started the fire intentionally, they had no cause to serve you. You could just has easily claimed you were simply playing Good Samaritan, which you were. Judges are generally kind to Good Samaritans.

[jrapose]

wow, I expected to be bashed by all the NRA lovers.... and I appreciate your replies... Yes, you bet I did not own up to starting it.... but I really think I did....I was shooting military 7.62 by 54 Russian ammo... no tracers... what the Forestry said was one of my rounds hit a gong and sent a hot piece of steel over the hill into the grass...... and indeed when I looked after the fire there was all sorts of spent bullets in the burned area.... lots of em, so it was a problem waiting to start.... and that would have been my defense if I went to court, but lucky for me my congressman was willing to fight for me.... nice guy, I am sorry I had to bother him but that is his job .... lucky he is not a anti gun freak... (kalifonia is full of em)

I do think nationally the NRA is doing a good job in the big picture...my point is they sure don't care much about the individual....just the donations for the new building and perks.

[jrapose]

Now the funny part..... (all of this would be funny if it was not me).... I only live about 10 miles from the range, and work as a firefighter....when I got home, the cops had beat me home and had a wanted poster posted in the firehouse.....called me Ruby Ridge R----- (my name)....had my picture and all...they really worked making it look real.... everywhere they knew I would go they posted one... damm cops... Ha, I owe them one...tha'ts the sort of stuff that happens when you live in a tiny community. I live in a rural county that feels everyone should carry and permits are easy to get.....

[CINDERS]

one for the police dept.......