Hello all
So, as some of you may or may not know, I shoot at Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas from time to time. This morning was one of those times.
I went out this morning with my baby sister to help her get her stuff together when it comes to shooting rifles. She's left handed and right eye dominant, so it's been a bit of a process. Nonetheless, she's coming along well, and shot a 1.5" 10 round group at 25 yards with my 522 and red dot. Trust me when I say that's a big improvement.
That said, I'm a bit bent out of shape over today's visit to ESS. It's easier to copy and paste my email to ESS here than describe in too much detail:
"Good afternoon
This morning I brought my sister to Elite Shooting Sports in order to continue teaching her marksmanship fundamentals. We've been to Elite a few times in the past and we have always enjoyed the facility, the staff, and the general experience. Today, unfortunately, was a somewhat different story.
While sitting in the lobby awaiting a lane at the 100 yard range, we were treated to the sight of a young black man wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "FUK DA POLICE" in oversized lettering. While this, in and of itself, was offensive, the fact that it was being worn openly by someone talking loudly about needing to "practice with [his] shotgun in case Trump wins" was downright unsettling.
I cannot reasonably expect to be protected from speech or expression that I find distasteful. However, I was genuinely appalled by the fact that this young man spoke to at least two different ESS employees while wearing this shirt and was at no time asked to change, turn his shirt inside out, or leave. Messages of that sort may be legally protected, but ESS is under no obligation to tolerate or permit them on private property. I cannot imagine that I would be permitted to use the facilities at ESS while wearing a shirt with an enormous Swastika emblazoned on it, and this is no different.
It would be truly unfortunate if the casual indifference of a few sub-par employees resulted in the perception that Elite Shooting Sports condones a message like "FUK DA POLICE" or anything similarly vile.
I would suggest that you contact me in regards to this, and quickly."
Within 30 minutes of submitting this email, I was phoned directly by an employee of ESS. This employee seemed like he was as annoyed by this as I was, and assured me that ESS personnel were going out of their way to find the person wearing that shirt. I asked if he would be banned from ESS facilities, but <employee> kind of dodged me on that. Whatever, I was pleased with the fact that they even listened. Seems like they're doing the right thing, right?
Wrong. WRONG. Wrong and full Goddarned stop.
A few hours after my conversation with <employee> I had the dubious pleasure of speaking with <Employee 2>. <Employee 2> assured me that she "understood" why I was "hurt," and that she was a "big fan of law enforcement." Every time I tried to get a word in edgewise, she assured me that she "understood," and that she "felt the same way." I was told that the, ah, "gentleman" wearing the shirt would be "talked to."
I said I wanted him banned. I said I wanted the employees who talked to him (and not just sort of saw him wandering by, but actually talked to him at close range) fired. I was able to see his darned shirt from across the room; you can't tell me these employees didn't see anything at grappling distance.
I was told emphatically by both <employee> and <employee 2> that none of the Elite Shooting Sports employees saw this shirt. I asked both people I talked to if their employees were either liars or blind. No one had an answer.
Both <employee> and <employee 2> assured me that they'd "have a talk" with the workers at ESS. Call me crazy, but that seems insufficient.
Spaceholder for updates, if any.