Range Suicide

[JeffXD]

Its really too bad that happened. On the other hand though, I am not sure why everyone is so opposed to suicide. Granted, its pretty bad to do in public that way. Sometimes its the only viable option, although in a more private venue.

[Bree]

I would much rather see the guy 86 himself at the range then to head over to the nearest University and shoot a dozen students before wasting himself. It's a bad business but it is better kept within the family then thrust into the face of outsiders and antis.

Regrets and condolences to his family.

My $.02.

[Cumminalong]

Originally Posted by JeffXD

Its really too bad that happened. On the other hand though, I am not sure why everyone is so opposed to suicide. Granted, its pretty bad to do in public that way. Sometimes its the only viable option, although in a more private venue.

It's not even the oppostion to suicide that is the big thing here. Personally, I could care less if you decide to take your life, but you must consider the impact on your family, friends, etc. To me the thought of suicide is that of a weak, insecure, cowardly person.

The biggest thing is this person convinced a friend to take them shooting at a place that they have other friends, all of whom are interacting in the social nature that fellow shooters do.

This individual used the friends gun, not a rented gun, not some illegal street purchase gun, THE FRIENDS GUN.

The individual made a point to turn around, look at everyone and pull the trigger. That's more than a suicide, that's make a statement.

If you've never seen a friend killed, someone shot, etc., you don't know how you'd react or what kind of effects it could have.

Hell, what kind of civil case COULD it lead to if the parents decided to go after the member who's gun it was, or the owner of the property, or the gun maker, whatever. There's more to it than just opposition to suicide, it's those 2nd and 3rd order effects that have to be considered.

[LtDan]

For slotback, it was at an indoor range, and he was retired military, full bird I believe. Obviously, we are talking about the same incident. Former peace officer as well from what I understand. BTW, I respectfully disagree with those of you that have such a uncompassionate view of people that commit suicide. There are many reasons why people commit suicide, many of which are not selfish but actually quite selfless.

[Cumminalong]

Originally Posted by LtDan

BTW, I respectfully disagree with those of you that have such a uncompassionate view of people that commit suicide. There are many reasons why people commit suicide, many of which are not selfish but actually quite selfless.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure we're looking at talking about very different incidents in reference to suicide. My uncompassionate view is of a situation like this.

Now, for example, someone who is terminally ill, in constant unbearable pain, disfigured to the point that they cannot have a normal life, etc., that I can understand.

But for most things, I'm sorry, buck up there little trooper. There are folks with a lot worse problems that you and they are dealing.

[LUVMYSIGP225]

This may sound callous, but I personally do not care.

If you are going to kill yourself, why do you have to wait for a buddy to give you the "opportunity" at the local gun range, and screw it up for the rest of us? Why put the guilt on our buddy for the rest of his life?

Brad Delp, the lead singer of the rock group Boston, decided to kill himself, so he set up his charcoal grille in his bathroom, closed the windows, sealed the door, and had a final cookout.

There are other ways. Don't bring us into it.

[Nugunr76]

I'm very sorry to hear of this incident. My uncle shot himself about 4 yrs. ago.I remember getting the call on a Fri. about 9:30-10:00 from my brother. His voice was kinda of quaking, at first i thought it was some kinda of prank. Then just went kinda numb. He was a dairy farmer and found out he had a sugar problem, had a sore on leg. I guess he was concerned he would lose it and would no longer me able to farm, thats all he did all his life. I was told he was down to local diner in town for breakfast and was BS with the guys. Went home loaded 12 ga. went out back to equipment shed and did himself in. No notes or anything. Worse case his nephew found him and he left my aunt with a about 40 head of dairy cows.
Anyway i had mixed feelings, emotions pissed off, angry, sorrowful. You know it some ways its cowardly and selfish. I mean you got little kids with terminal illness going thru chemo and stuff and you really hurt those you leave behind. It makes one really wonder what, or when was the line crossed that made them do it. And for me I wonder where he will spend eternity!

[atmiller]

The university I went to had railroad tracks that ran thru the middle of town. Every year at least one student would jump in front of a train. Sometimes it was more than one at a time. Reasons were always either doing poorly in school or pressure from parents to do better.

[Liquid Rhino]

Wow.. that's a crazy incident. I don't know how I'd handle it if it happened to me. Sorry to hear that man, regardless of if you knew the guy or not something like that clearly has to shake you at some level... you've handled it well.

[Bree]

My brother took his own life on 1/1/96. It caused a lot of heartache and grief for my sister and I. But it was his choice. He saw no further purpose to live and he saw great suffering ahead and made a decision for himself. I don't fault him for choosing what to do with his life.

Of course that doesn't stop me for looking at it from the vantage points of my sister and I. To us... it was an stupid a$$hole thing to do which brought us a lot of suffering. That's how we both feel to this day and I'm sure either one of us would tell him to his face that he was a real jerk that day.