R. L. Ermey: Lock and Load

I saw a repeat of the handgun episode and DID notice "something" in his ear that I missed the first time I saw it. I was looking for earmuffs and not ear inserts. I apologize for my lack of observation. BUT, during one handgun scene I didn't notice eye protection. My eyesight is less than 20/20 but I will not use that as an excuse for errors in observation.

To Ken the Kanuck, criticism can be a good thing if done as constructive. I hope mine was, at least, I meant it to be constructive. I am concerned for his safety and well-being as well as for that of all shooters.

Because of the post I made, I learned more than I ever thought possible about the man (R. Lee) via the many responses.

Thank you, all!

Thomas

And I and thousands of others shoot using Knobloch's. They are great for higher scores with aging eyes.....but while providing "rule-compliance" as "eye protection", have nearly nothing in the way of functional protection from flying debris...and I'm not worried about it!

Just for fun....does anyone that's been to "Summer Camp" remember anyone in the food-chain getting their panties in a wad over eye protection? It never came up where I was.....my son either

You guys all have very good points but don't you think that some of the youngsters out there watching Lee and seeing he has A) shell casings in his ears, B) flesh tone customs or C) nothing at all protecting his hearing, is wrong. At least the flesh tone customs are proper.

Do kids, and even grown men idolize Lee? I think they sure do. I personally like Lee. He is nothing like his characters he portrays in film. I don't blame Lee but more the producers and director for not seeing that "proper" hearing and eye protection are used during the filming of his shows. If for nothing else so new shooters see Hollywood being somewhat responsible. The way it is now Lee and the show are telling kids and adults that are not so bright, that it is okay to go without the proper hearing and eye protection. Just because WE didn't use proper hearing and eye protection as we should have doesn't make it right that our kids shouldn't either. How many of you shooters out there let your kids shoot without? Show our youngsters the right way.

I've been a rangemaster for a number of years and I can tell you a shooter would not be allowed on the range without both.

Thanks for all your input fellas.

Not to keep harping on such, what I perceive, a trivial issue, but....

Look, those of us who do shoot at a range know darn well that hearing protection is a MUST. Has anyone been shooting at a match and when the "Fire Away" command is given and you are fidgeting with sights or ammo and, OH SHEITE, forgot to put hearing back on?!?!?!?!!? YIKES!!!!!! Ears HURT!!!!

So, we know, WE KNOW that it's important. And WE KNOW that it's important to the Gunny.

Face it, those who don't shoot or never have, like kids, are NOT looking at his ears. They wouldn't know an ear plug from a spark plug. They are looking at that BLAST from that 44 Mag.

When the day comes and they are at the range with a RESPONSIBLE adult, they WILL have the proper protections. Unlike when they get to be teenagers with their first girl friend. We hope like hell they have "protection" then.

Case closed.

Fair enough Shooter.

Would have been nice if the army believed in hearing protection in the mid 1950's when they gave me an M1, Or better yet the air force had given out decent headsets when I was working on F100's and A7's (they finaly did , but by then......)

I watched both shows and liked the one on tanks and learned a few things. From the episode on small arms I got the impression that R. Lee is not nearly as gun savy as he'd like us to believe.

Bill, et all, have an excellent point. Remember the Marlboro man on tv of the fifties or sixties? It gave the message that a real man, a REAL MAN, smokes cigarettes and wears a cowboy hat. Well, the cowboy hat didn't cause the lung cancer.

The younger generation who sees a very respectable figure on tv not utilizing protective hardware will have the proclivity to mimic the person they idealize.

Had I known the hazards of not wearing ear protection when I first shot a firearm while in high school, I would have worn it from day one. I didn't learn about the consequences until I was in college. At least, I saved what hearing I have left. My hearing loss is moderate; can't hear high frequencies, according to the audiologist.

The good news is my wife knows about my moderate hearing loss and I take FULL advantage of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :0)

Thanks, guys, for the great input and for the education.

Thomas

Bill I agree, but I shared the ranges with a platoon firing away back in 55 without either, so I won't say anything unless there's a child involved. But then I've never been Rangemaster.

If everyone is so interested in correcting Gunny's shooting habits, why not go over to his website, and write to him directly. Debating the points on this website is pointless. Gunny won't see it, and we're wrapped around the axle on this subject. This horse is dead. Pls, let's move on. Best regards to all, KarlKW