Airgun shooting for people with PTSD

[OldVet]

To shoot , or not shoot that is the Question.? Airguns I mean.

 

[Sleestak]

I'm sure for some out there, they would like to shoot if the chance, but they might not have the equipment to shoot or the place to go. An invite with the equipment & place would be just the thing.

Yeah, totally. If I weren't so self absorbed right now I wish that I could put some time in w our county's 4-H shooting club. Volunteerism should be encouraged

There are a lot of people who could use the social time. & there's nothing wrong w having a customer as a casual friend either. PTSD shouldn't be something that necessarily excludes a person from the activity IMO. Obviously there are risks, but there are risks within the general public too.

 

[woogie_man]

Just go ask them. I have plenty of buddies that have ptsd as well, and they have fun shooting both airguns and powder guns. There are a few that say no, and that is ok. Just offer and don't be pushy.

People seem to think vets or people with ptsd are to fragile to do anything. Just ask and if they say no then drop it

 

[OldVet]

Imagine that shooting airguns in real life instead of Zombies on a video game. There should be a dedicated Air Ranges for everyone.

 

[boscoebrea]

This talk brings back the sadness caused by 36 yo. Mr.Wong,a veteran with PTSD,who in March 9,2018 killed three counselors who only goals were to help veterans.
This happened at the Yountville Veterans Hospital ,Mr. Wong committed suicide after killing the three counselors.....
They were professional counslors working at a VA Hospital......take that all in before saying something you do not know nothing about!
This hurts.Good people killed for trying to help someone.It better to think of the worst case scenario in cases like this....
Another thing ;]the poster should have asked professionals or went to a VA home first ,to ask such a question like that here shows lack of understanding...I want to thank those that gave intelligent answers.I get pretty emotional about this because I use to go to Yountville VA often.

 

[Sleestak]

This talk brings back the sadness caused by 36 yo. Mr.Wong,a veteran with PTSD,who in March 9,2018 killed three counselors who only goals were to help veterans.
This happened at the Yountville Veterans Hospital ,Mr. Wong committed suicide after killing the three counselors.....
They were professional counslors working at a VA Hospital......take that all in before saying something you do not know nothing about!
This hurts.Good people killed for trying to help someone.It better to think of the worst case scenario in cases like this....
Another thing ;]the poster should have asked professionals or went to a VA home first ,to ask such a question like that here shows lack of understanding...I want to thank those that gave intelligent answers.I get pretty emotional about this because I use to go to Yountville VA often.

I started rambling on about not being anyone's shrink but think that you did a better job at bring out some concerns.

It can't be denied that there have been some high profile gun range homicides. It's strange that something happened to these people that made them flip out.

But to that I can say that there are many people who manage it and are just fine. So just saying.

Id be almost as concerned over some rando going over the top in a road rage incident on my way to the range.

 

[Arkansas_Airgunner]

I am a Combat Vet, Iraqi Freedom, and I personally have PTSD directly from a specific engagement my team and I was involved in. For me, personally, its not the weapons in themselves that trigger me. With PB, it is the unexpected crack or blast that sends me into fight/flight mode. If i'm the 1 shooting, i'm cool because i know its coming. I am also an Automotive Service Manager, so i have trained my guys to yell out "setting bead" when mounting tires in my shop. So, for me, its the sound, not the weapon itself. Don't ask Vets if they have PTSD or not. We have enough mental scars and monsters to fight without someone asking that, and bearing new light on it by bringing up.. If a Vet decides to let you know, so be it. It means they trust you enough to not be judged. Its best to just leave it alone, unspoken and unasked. Not trying to sound like an A-hole, please don't get me wrong. This is just my 2 cents for whatever its worth to anyone.

 

[OldVet]

I am a Combat Vet, Iraqi Freedom, and I personally have PTSD directly from a specific engagement my team and I was involved in. For me, personally, its not the weapons in themselves that trigger me. With PB, it is the unexpected crack or blast that sends me into fight/flight mode. If i'm the 1 shooting, i'm cool because i know its coming. I am also an Automotive Service Manager, so i have trained my guys to yell out "setting bead" when mounting tires in my shop. So, for me, its the sound, not the weapon itself. Don't ask Vets if they have PTSD or not. We have enough mental scars and monsters to fight without someone asking that, and bearing new light on it by bringing up.. If a Vet decides to let you know, so be it. It means they trust you enough to not be judged. Its best to just leave it alone, unspoken and unasked. Not trying to sound like an A-hole, please don't get me wrong. This is just my 2 cents for whatever its worth to anyone.

Absolutely not brother this a great reply thanks for sharing. OV.

 

[jps2486]

I just realized that there are many people out there with mental disorders that have never served. My daughter works with a bunch of 25-40 year old professionals and most of them are on some kind of medication to control their depression. School kids too as I understand. As a vet, I think we can control ourselves as well any anyone else. Sure, there are things that make us jumpy, but I doubt that would cause us to go postal.

 

[graycrait]

Retired Army here., 'Jun 73-Dec '98. I really enjoy shooting and have totally migrated to air guns. I haven't shot a PB in over 3 yrs and I have owned, much less shot many dozens, having owned an embarrassing number. The noise is one of the most bothersome things and cheekweld recoil on a PB long gun over .223 gives me a headache. That might be associated with the stroke, but I am not sure I wish I had gotten into air guns sooner and I suspect the overall population who shoot have no idea how quiet and fun airgunning can be. Anything you can do to expose more vets or anyone to "quiet" accurate airgunning might be useful to you and the folks who show up. I also have 17 longbows and recurves as well as a couple of late model slingshots. I like to shoot

Craig
2 x Daisy 717
2 x Daisy 777
1 x IZH 46M .177
1 x Kuezy 600 .177
1 x Daisy CMP M853 (moderated .177
1 x Notos .22 (moderated after testing 16 different moderators - what fun!)

 

[Rob_in_NC]

I am a vet and work every day with veterans both with and without PTSD and a host of other things. We arent that fragile for the most part. If you have a storefront, put up a sign. If you have a web site, put on the web site that you offer a Veteran Discount and 'ask me about a shoot' and see who inquires. If you personally know them and they know you are into airgun sales, I'd venture a guess if they had any interest, they'd already have hit you about it.

May want to have smaller groups if you do this. I normally shoot by myself at my house, but my range only goes to 100 yards. This past week, I took the hour drive to a range here that goes to 900 yards. It's usually empty and I stretch out the legs on my 6.5Cmoor. This time, there was 4 other people shooting. I know this is a 'semi private' range and the owner vetts everyone before allowing membership but 'I' didnt know them... so I turned around and took the hour drive back to the house.

 

[OldVet]

Like I said before "Airgun Day"
For anyone even people like me that have PTBS
Post Traumatic Bullpoop Syndrome.Lol.