Ballistic Vest - on the range?

Great idea. Kevlar vests are safety equipment, just as hearing and eye protection are.
However, it is illegal for mere civilians in Alberta to own Kevlar vests or body armor.
As ordinary residents we have no right not to be killed by stray bullets.

Not true at all, i own Class III and Class IV and am a civilian. I routinely carry them on flights into the US and overseas and back into Canada. the only hassle is having to take it as carry on baggage.
 
When visiting an indoor range in the Lower Mainland last year I had a .45 bounce off my chest after a ricochet from somewhere down the line. Thankfully all I got was a bruise as it had already expended a great deal of energy bouncing back to the line.

I have a .45 projectile that someone handed back to me while I was shooting at an indoor range, it was still warm and deformed but in one piece. Said it hit him in the foot, but will very little energy. I never missed the paper, yet it still managed to somehow hit something after hitting the target and come back...
IMG_4166_zpsfpaqdmhx.jpg


My range also has at least 2 stalls with bullet holes in the shooting counter. Some crazy things happen, Im just glad I wasn't there for them...LOL
 
Guess this a safety equipment question that I already know the answer to. Of course I wear eye and ear protection on the range - not because it's required - but because it's right. Not sure why I haven't been wearing my vest on range days, but..... well, I'm going to start. Something tells me I'm way more likely to get shot on the range than on duty. :rolleyes:

Rob!
IPSC is a sporting event that is safe and to my knowledge, has never led to an accidental shooting of a fellow competitor here in Canada. If you have fear of dying on the range, maybe the shooting sports are not for you! There are risks in EVERYTHING you do. You can't isolate yourself and live in a plastic bubble. Go out, shoot, and enjoy yourself! Kevlar is not required!
 
I've seen guys with full gear setup including plates in a carrier, etc. at the range. When I asked one time the guy said he likes to practice the same way he works, as it is tied to muscle memory and so on which makes sense. Apparently he did overseas security work.

This makes sense to me, if it is legal to own and wear why not practice with it especially if you are exposed to real world risks like police officers, security, body guards and such.
In my case though this Logic would lead me to practice house clearing in my underwear at the range as the most likely real world risk. I'm guessing this would result in more odd looks and police visits than wearing body armour at my local range...
 
IPSC is a sporting event that is safe and to my knowledge, has never led to an accidental shooting of a fellow competitor here in Canada. If you have fear of dying on the range, maybe the shooting sports are not for you! There are risks in EVERYTHING you do. You can't isolate yourself and live in a plastic bubble. Go out, shoot, and enjoy yourself! Kevlar is not required!

A guy in California did die from a ricochet from another bay.
 
good, im not the only one who gets the heebee jeebees when walking out to the targets!




I've been checking my target down range with 3 others when a 12 year old took a shot (dad was not paying attention)

Bullet missed me by about 2 meters
Kid hit his target board beside me.


Now I wear armour

No cell service it could have been bad..
 
If indeed civilian shooters with a PAL are exempted from the Body Armor Control Act in Alberta, and can indeed buy, and own, and use body armor and Kevlar vests for sporting purposes, then specifically who sells these items to civilian PAL holders in Alberta?

Can you share the names of a few dealers?
 
From the BC Gov site:

[h=3]Legal Possession without a Permit[/h]You can possess body armour without a permit while performing your job if you are a:

  • Private investigator, armoured car guard, security consultant; security guard, or body armour salesperson with a valid B.C. security worker licence
  • Peace officer, sheriff, correctional officer or conservation officer
  • Government employee and wearing armour is required or allowed in your job
  • Security guard registered as a gaming worker under the Gaming Control Act
You may also possess body armour without a permit if you hold a valid firearms licence issued under the Firearms Act (Canada).

I have worn mine on occasion but have decided to wait until I win the Loto before donning it again. If I win, I'll put it on. The only time I cam close to getting hit, the bullet was silly close to my head. Young kid holding a 1911 with his dad at the back of the range talking to a friend. Kid pulls the trigger and ....

Our ranges are safer than places of worship or study it seems. I do carry a loaded pistol when I go down range to change targets. We have the odd Black bear wondering about so prudence kicks in. I have been down range twice now in the company of Black Bears. On one occasion I didn;t even notice the bugger feeding not 15 yards from me. To busy looking for brass! :<o)

Take Care

Bob



 
[/B]I have worn mine on occasion but have decided to wait until I win the Loto before donning it again. If I win, I'll put it on. The only time I cam close to getting hit, the bullet was silly close to my head. Young kid holding a 1911 with his dad at the back of the range talking to a friend. Kid pulls the trigger and ....

Our ranges are safer than places of worship or study it seems. I do carry a loaded pistol when I go down range to change targets. We have the odd Black bear wondering about so prudence kicks in. I have been down range twice now in the company of Black Bears. On one occasion I didn;t even notice the bugger feeding not 15 yards from me. To busy looking for brass! :<o)

Take Care

Bob



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So are these bozos still members of the club...whats with their loaded pistol behind the range....
 
So are these bozos still members of the club...whats with their loaded pistol behind the range....

Actually it happened down in Abbotsford. We were shooting off of benches in a line. The kid was next to me about 3 feet. He had the gun in his hand and I guess he put his finger on the trigger and bang. I felt the blast on my cheek. The bullet hit the top of the wall/ceiling. The bullet likely missed my forehead by inches for me to have felt the blast. He and his dad left immediately after. I was mad as hell but said noting to the father. I didn't want to embarrass the father in front of the boy. It really was not the kids fault. He should have never been left holding the gun unattended. I could have kicked the dad in the balls frankly but just felt the better of it.

Happened about 17 years ago. Just one of those things that should not happen but do. I get a kick out of guys saying they never had an AD because they are always careful, yada yada yada. Hell about the time you are convinced you can do nothing wrong is exactly when things do go wrong. Life is like that. Should not happen but does.

Take Care

Bob
 
Nothing wrong with wearing it, but if the reason is because you feel unsafe then the prudent choice is to not go there anymore. You will likely be shot in an extremity as opposed to the torso anyways.
Now if your reason is to save the honour of the mayor's daughter at some point, then knock your socks off.
 
I know a guy that has been a member at the two big ranges in Calgary. He dresses up will full swat team gear. My guess is he is a want to because i know what he does for a living. But it is hilarious seeing him.
 
I know a guy that has been a member at the two big ranges in Calgary. He dresses up will full swat team gear. My guess is he is a want to because i know what he does for a living. But it is hilarious seeing him.

Yeah I see a guy like that too, doesn't help that he's a bit werid to begin with either lol.
 
Seriously, if I thought there was more than a remote chance of being shot at my range I would take up darts! Galt pretty much nailed it. I can see dressing up in SWAT dress if you are SWAT. If not, and you are not a LEO of some sort then you are, for want of a better word an idiot. I am not talking about the 3 Gun vest and such folks wear for competition sake.

You wanna play police officer or infantry than join up I am sure the Army and Law Enforcement are always looking for a few good men. I have seen some of the training the RCMP ERT boys go through. Even on my best day I could not have done what is asked of them let alone try to play PPCLI type on a regular basis. Those folks are special people. Glad we have guys and gals who are able to do it and step up to the plate; I am thankful they do, but dressing up in SWAT garb because you work at a gun range....get real.

Take Care

Bob
 
Unless you are active military member I believe the term citizen also applies to cops, and why in the world do we need to limit who can buy body amour, that's just absurd!
 
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