One less place I can socially distance at ! Range re-opened this morning !!!

[Park ranger]

Yup, some things just don't make sense. I read in the local paper today that the state parks here are jam packed with visitors who don't pay the daily fees, ignore the distancing rules, and let dog run loose. And the majority seems to be from the next door state which has a high chicom19 count. That state apparent has shut down outdoor activites. OK so the nearby state park stays open but the adjacent state run shooting range that I go to has been closed since March.

yep, it sucks. Had a person wreck a bike yesterday, had my mind made up if they need life saving first aid I’m going to deliver it. I’ll deal with possibilities of Chinese Flu later. Turns out, rub some dirt in it you’ll be fine was the best medicine.
Sucks my local state owned range is shut down and my club range. I got the blues for sure.

 

[Bill K]

In California and other states, are you beginning to enjoy have a "Police State" yet ? So much for freedom, even if they are using this virus for their purpose.

 

[Ned Ludd]

It's not a "police state", not even close. Many of you are making way too much of this. Is it an inconvenience? Absolutely. It is more than is necessary? Possibly. We will never know for sure. I agree 100% that in many cases keeping shooting ranges open is highly unlikely to dramatically increase the rate of Covid-19 infections. Nonetheless, not a single one of you can state with absolute certainty that it can't happen. What if your vehicle breaks down on the way to/from the range, or you get in an accident, or run out of gas? I can think of many ways that you might be forced to interact with someone that could have the virus, thereby possibly spreading it further. There is simply no way to eliminate the possibly of something unforeseen happening.

State and local governments don't have the time or resources to monitor every individual or different situations so as to make any reasonable conclusions about which ones are OK, and which aren't. So they make the assumption that most or all activities have the potential to increase the spread of the virus, and thus put out a blanket shelter-in-place order. You may not like it, I totally get that. You may think it's being way overblown, I totally get that, too. However, I rather suspect people that have lost loved ones to this virus might have a much different take on it.

Every single time someone decides they are above the rules and does not obey such orders, the odds of spreading and prolonging the infection/pandemic increase. It's really that simple. Whether they are grossly excessive or not, there really isn't any other way of modifying such rules according to different locations. Further, just because the virus may not be currently a big threat where you happen to live, that doesn't mean it couldn't become one. It only takes a few infections locally before it can start to spread like wildfire. Once it does, there is a very good chance that local medical facilities will be completely overwhelmed. So the Governors step and temporarily lock down the population. Why there are apparent exceptions to that in some areas such as playing golf, I have no idea. Such ordinances should apply equally to all unnecessary activities, not just a few. I sincerely hope that in a few months we can all look back on this and state with absolute certainty that such lockdown orders were way overblown. But no one can state that with any certainty at this exact moment. If you think it couldn't happen where you live, I'm certain that people in Northern Italy probably thought that, too. I doubt most New Yorkers would have believed three or four months ago that more than 6,000 deaths could occur from a viral pandemic in the space of a few weeks, either. If you think my thoughts on this topic are irrational, or even stupid, so be it, I don't much care. I'd much rather have the government err on the side of caution at the moment, because we can always sort things out later and potentially learn from any mistakes we have made.

 

[284winner]

I havent even checked if the private range I go to is open. I wouldnt go even if it is. I dont care what the Gov. says. The risk right now is to high. Have you heard-- People are Dying ? I dont think any ranges should be open now. Anytime you see another person out there they may be the one to transfer the virus to me. Or I dont know I may have the virus and give it to someone else. And dont forget the virus can live a couple days on objects. that may be the bench i use or the signin sheet. Much as i want to go, Going shooting is not an essential activity. Its way more important to beat this virus.

I understand everyone has different opinions on what is safe and what isn't. I just don't think every place in the country is unsafe and requires a total lock down. If that was the case, the president wouldn't allow governor's to decide how to run their states based on the severity of the cases in their states. He'd put a total country lockdown on all states like he did the travel bans. Its just not necessary to treat every state and more specifically every place in every state the same. If that were the case, we wouldn't be opening the country till next year. It would need to be opened up at the same time if it were all equally severe. Just my opinion. Obviously from reading everyone's opinions on this thread, they widely vary.

 

[Big Mc]

Well, just found out my local private range closed due to this covid crap. We have maybe 60 members and only 20 at most use it other than just before deer season opens. I've never seen another guy out there M-F yet they closed it. According to my source, it was because they didn't want TV5 news to be aware there still open. Unbelievable. I guess it's just nice to know that our DNR are a little smarter than the ones making decisions for our range because they are encouraging outdoor activities like fishing, hunting and shooting. They just want people to use common sense and stay distanced from others. All we can ask is for others to trust our common sense.

We can fix this problem. VOTE.. Just my two cents Tommy Mc

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I would like to answer you Mc but we have to abstain from sex, religion, and politics.

 

[338 dude]

Now sex too !!!

 

[284winner]

We con fix this problem. VOTE.. Just my two cents Tommy Mc

Yep luckily with this range, we can do that.

 

[284winner]

Now sex too !!!

Shhhh don't tell my wife.

 

[davidjoe]

Now sex too !!!

It’s “implied” in the 6 feet apart rule. If that doesn’t cover it, it’s “nonessential”. For some dudes the “stay indoors” rule is the problem, and I’m sure that others get dinged by the “gatherings more than 10” rule.

 

[bluealtered]

About the only thing i can say is very simple, if you don't like the way things are in your state, ... why haven't you changed it? Please don't tell me your only there because of the money or whatever else the reason may be. Like others here i have heard all the reasons for over 50 years now.

Your local, state, and federal governments have one by one taken control of you instead of you getting off your butts and taking control of them like it should/used to be. So now along comes this china virus, maybe it just started by accident and maybe it didn't. You should remember that in the past china has bragged about losing millions of people and it not having any effect on their country.

Even if the world finds out it wasn't a accident, nobody's going to do anything about it. Yes like everybody else i hear all the talk about us doing this or that if we find out it was just a little "test" to see what would happen. Until proven otherwise it will be just more B.S. posturing by those in charge.

Yes this virus is a problem, just like the other virus's we have had to deal with. And yes there will be more in the future, that's just the way it is. It also should be a very good example of just how little it takes to change the world as we know it, you don't need atomic bombs, just a few germs turned lose and a little time will do the same job without all the mess.

At this time shutting down things is needed to some extent, however those that use their authority more than needed to correct the problem need to be held accountable as well when this round of virus's is over. And as it always is, your freedoms are 100 percent up to you to keep or to lose.

 

[davidjoe]

I would like to answer you Mc but we have to abstain from sex, religion, and politics.

And shooting, don’t forget shooting. That one I’ll go to mat for.

 

[Gappmast]

Now sex too !!!

And now they say no sex, the cure for this virus is worse than the disease

 

[MGYSGT]

All this social distancing is useless if they don't close the grocery store. Talk about virous spreading festival.

 

[284winner]

All this social distancing is useless if they don't close the grocery store. Talk about virous spreading festival.

100% agree. Talk about using And abusing the meaning of essential. Walmart, Meijer and Kroger parking lots are full everyday. If they really want to lock down this problem, they need to manage all that spreading of the virus. Don't worry about gun ranges, parks, etc. Grocery stores ARE the hot zones

 

[JimT]

All this social distancing is useless if they don't close the grocery store. Talk about virous spreading festival.

You might be on to something! Since obesity is a leading cause of Covid complications cutting down on America’s almost 50% obesity rate might help.

 

[joshb]

And now they say no sex, the cure for this virus is worse than the disease

Now sex too !!!

 

[Dryfly24]

I get that this is a serious issue, but sometimes I find my mind wondering whether this is more about “social conditioning” than “social distancing”...

 

[Dryfly24]

Most of the various closures observed around the country have been ordered to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Just because someone doesn't like those orders, doesn't mean they don't have a purpose. Just because someone may think those orders are idiotic, because hey, I'm the only person out at the range today, how can that be a risk? Then ask questions like, "Did I come into contact with anyone that I wouldn't have if I stayed at home, not just at the range, but at any point during my trip to/from the range?" The answer will more often than not be that you did, and probably more than just one or two. That increases the chance of spreading the virus...get it? Michiganders need to be especially concerned as your state is currently number 3 in the country on the coronavirus infection list.

We may not like these shelter-in-place rules, but they were put in place for a reason. Even places such as gun ranges that may not have been directly ordered to comply may do so by choice out of social responsibility. Law enforcement doesn't have time to dick around with warnings. So they're now arresting people on the spot that disobey the prohibition on social gatherings in some areas. The answer is simple, stay at home. No one has the "right" to engage in behaviors that put others at risk. The more people that do that, the sooner this will be behind us.

The flip side of that is what happens when the government decides to step on some of the freedoms we all take for granted and that maybe aren’t very risky at all? Do we roll over like scared puppies?

Now, I’m not saying that that’s what’s going on but maybe it is a consideration. This isn’t North Korea. We do have civil liberties here and we should be worried about protecting them as much as protecting ourselves from disease.

 

[Dryfly24]

It's not a "police state", not even close. Many of you are making way too much of this. Is it an inconvenience? Absolutely. It is more than is necessary? Possibly. We will never know for sure. I agree 100% that in many cases keeping shooting ranges open is highly unlikely to dramatically increase the rate of Covid-19 infections. Nonetheless, not a single one of you can state with absolute certainty that it can't happen. What if your vehicle breaks down on the way to/from the range, or you get in an accident, or run out of gas? I can think of many ways that you might be forced to interact with someone that could have the virus, thereby possibly spreading it further. There is simply no way to eliminate the possibly of something unforeseen happening.

State and local governments don't have the time or resources to monitor every individual or different situations so as to make any reasonable conclusions about which ones are OK, and which aren't. So they make the assumption that most or all activities have the potential to increase the spread of the virus, and thus put out a blanket shelter-in-place order. You may not like it, I totally get that. You may think it's being way overblown, I totally get that, too. However, I rather suspect people that have lost loved ones to this virus might have a much different take on it.

Every single time someone decides they are above the rules and does not obey such orders, the odds of spreading and prolonging the infection/pandemic increase. It's really that simple. Whether they are grossly excessive or not, there really isn't any other way of modifying such rules according to different locations. Further, just because the virus may not be currently a big threat where you happen to live, that doesn't mean it couldn't become one. It only takes a few infections locally before it can start to spread like wildfire. Once it does, there is a very good chance that local medical facilities will be completely overwhelmed. So the Governors step and temporarily lock down the population. Why there are apparent exceptions to that in some areas such as playing golf, I have no idea. Such ordinances should apply equally to all unnecessary activities, not just a few. I sincerely hope that in a few months we can all look back on this and state with absolute certainty that such lockdown orders were way overblown. But no one can state that with any certainty at this exact moment. If you think it couldn't happen where you live, I'm certain that people in Northern Italy probably thought that, too. I doubt most New Yorkers would have believed three or four months ago that more than 6,000 deaths could occur from a viral pandemic in the space of a few weeks, either. If you think my thoughts on this topic are irrational, or even stupid, so be it, I don't much care. I'd much rather have the government err on the side of caution at the moment, because we can always sort things out later and potentially learn from any mistakes we have made.

Everything you do is a risk. Do you drive? Do you fly in airplanes? Ever climb up a ladder? Cross a street? You can’t eliminate every single risk in life.

By the same token, civil liberties in this world are Just as precious as life. We’re skating on thin ice here...

Talk to someone who has fled communism or actually lived under the cloak of tyranny sometime. We’re on a slippery slope when the government can suspend you’re right to gather or even leave your house with the stroke of a pen with nothing more than this as a reason.