Hi there! Throwaway account, here (because I have a feeling I’ll be made fun of pretty hardcore for my concerns, haha.)
I’m interested in being a LEO for non-gun reasons (physical fitness, tired of desk jobs, interested in law, love working nights, etc), and I’m right at the tail end of my application in a major US city (passed everything and have a conditional offer; just have the physical agility test left).
I understand being competent with a firearm is a huge part of the job and I don’t mind that at all — maybe I’ll fall in love with shooting, haha — but I was wondering what people thought about me bringing additional PPE (a full face respirator, disposable gloves, shoe covers, deleading wipes) to protect myself and my family from lead dust if I’m fortunate enough to join?
In a past life I sometimes worked with lead paint (with training/PPE), and it blows my mind that people who are around it more than me in gun ranges wouldn’t be doing everything to prevent tracking that home to their kids/wives.
Idk! Is that a wrong opinion to have? Should I just show up with my dope PPE and say absolutely nothing? Is additional PPE usually banned during training?
Curious what other opinions people have on this topic.
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You should absolutely show up with the PPE that you feel is adequate, and defend yourself vigorously
I’m all about safety. I’m happy to wear eyes, ears, and respirators while doing wood working and other stuff.
A respirator for the firing range….. it’s the juice worth the squeeze.
When is it prudent, and when is it paranoid???
If you’re that risk averse, are you sure law enforcement is right for you?
I think you’re overthinking this.
Most indoor ranges will have adequate or better ventilation to remove any vaporized heavy metals and combustion byproducts. If you have access, try outdoor ranges.
I highly recommend against training with all the extra PPE. You need to train like you fight. For the professional, that means wearing your load out/kit that you normally would wear on duty. For civilians/CCW, what you normally wear on the street. You are building muscle memory with every action and that can 100% mess with your effectiveness.
Use common personal hygiene sense when you go shooting. Wash your hands afterwards change your clothes afterwards. Don’t lick your range bag. You can wipe your gear down with a product that absorbs lead like.”D-Wipes” (yes, that’s real).
I’m at the indoor range weekly, 100 or so rounds of pistol caliber and 120 or so rounds of rifle caliber suppressed. Monthly, I’m at the outdoor range and will run a couple thousand rounds in one day of both pistol and rifle caliber, again rifle suppressed. I mention rifle suppressed because of the excessive amount of gas blowback experienced when shooting suppressed rifle.
Every couple of years I have my doctor run heavy metal toxicity blood tests with my annual physical, and I am well within the norms.
I have bigger concerns about heavy metal poisoning and toxins from exhaust fumes from sitting in traffic so much.
I think you’ll be fine.
You’ll be laughed at even in a normal gun range. To make you feel better a trusted gun range will have proper ventilation to mitigate this. Also just not touching your face, eating, or drinking before handwashing after shooting will help mitigate risk as well.
Just…practice basic hygiene? Unless you’re rolling around in gunpowder or firing muskets, you’re not going to be covered in enough residue to be a health concern to others.