Bullies at the shooting range...

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Another thing...

We just had a $200/member levy across the board to increase our berm height at our club. They bought a 'dozer and stuff, and now we have some HIGH berms...

Loaded firearms are not pointed over the berms. And this unfortunately messes with position/service rifle shooters getting into position. We're probably going to have to do some sort of workaround.

But it'll be common sense.
 
Justin - Have you ever heard of Mattix and Platt? If not, I suggest you google their names.
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Ya beat me to it! I was going to mention ‘em, and he could also do some Google searches on shooting range thefts etc-maybe that’ll open his eyes?

Anywho…although we’re limited in our choices in the boonies, I do belong to a private range. First time I went to shoot there were a few folks around on the various ranges, but as evening arrived, ‘bout 4 carloads of boyz ‘n the hood (based on their rides) rolled up and proceeded to do EVERYTHING wrong (centerfire rifles on the intermediate pistol range, etc). Next thing you know, I’m the only one on the range other than this 4-car train of bozos-don’t know exactly when everybody else left-may have done so when this bunch arrived! Club rules say you’re supposed to wear you ID tag at all times (were catching folks who weren’t members on the range) and you can only bring 1 guest. Wanna wager how many in that bunch were club members? I’m finding it hard to believe even 1 was!
So there I am on the short pistol range trying to keep my eye on this bunch on the intermediate pistol range while trying to shoot-that’s when I started keeping a loaded pistol and 2 mags on my hip while checking targets, moonwalking to the target stands, and having an escape route through the woods picked out. Iff’n it happens again, I’m packing up my stuff and leaving!

Are ya learning anything yet Justin? :D
 
It is amazing to me that people will be total jerks when the people around them all have guns. It is easier for me to leave than to put up with rude people, life is too short to have a day ruined by some jerk.
 
Keep shooting and ignore his commands. If he comes over to you, ignore him and keep shooting.

If he decides to get physical, you've got a nice and dandy pistol grip or rifle but to dispatch him with, so as not to go for attempted murder.
 
There's no excuse for breaking established and posted range safety rules. On the other hand, being rude is rarely a good tactic to change others' behavior...
 
They were involved in a shootout with police in the early 90's, and one of their tactics for getting guns was to frequent shooting ranges that were out in the woods, and then kill whoever was shooting there and take their guns.
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Well, this is a fairly uncommon thing to happen. Heck, suicides at the range is more common than that.
 
i go to a little public range that has NO Range Officer.
Usually I am the only one there. If I go on the weekend there are usually a couple groups there.
Most of the time they are good people. If there are other types there, I make a point of loading my 1911 before checking my targets.
I much prefer to go during the week. However being the only one there has it's drawbacks. If you are downrange and someone else appears, you are the only one to keep an eye on your guns. Never had a problem, but I keep a close watch until I know their intentions.
I meet a lot of young military there. These guys are leaving for Iraq in September. I even helped a couple of them try out various calibers against theit ceramic plates. They have some pretty good body armor. Pretty heavy, but they say it gets lighter when someone is shooting at you.
God bless these young men who leave their families, not knowing if they will be back. Let's get behind them and get the job done so they can STAY home. I love them all and let them know it.
They are the best and brightest. Most of them believe in something bigger than themselves. We can't afford to lose them.
I am rambling, I know.
 
I sometimes shoot at a private range that doesn't have an RO on duty at all times (at least, not during the times I shoot). I like to go there during the middle of the week rather than the weekend, as the ranges are usually almost empty during that time.

Only once have I been there when someone else was, and despite a very stupid prank pulled by one of the guys in the other group*, they were fairly well behaved. Even let me borrow their spotting scope so I didn't have to walk down range so often (I was on the 300 yard rifle range).

All of my other shooting is done in the middle of nowhere, on public land, with nary another soul in sight.




*There were about four or so guys in the group, and while two were down range setting up targets, one of the guys back at the benches thought it'd be funny to touch off a few rounds in the opposite direction - behind the benches - to scare the guys down range setting up targets. The only reason I didn't leave is that while it wasn't smart, it wasn't completely unsafe either, as he wasn't firing down range nor in a direction was toward any people, structures or vehicles, and the range is located out in the middle of the mountains and away from any houses.
 
basicblur said:
Ya beat me to it! I was going to mention ‘em, and he could also do some Google searches on shooting range thefts etc-maybe that’ll open his eyes?

Anywho…although we’re limited in our choices in the boonies, I do belong to a private range. First time I went to shoot there were a few folks around on the various ranges, but as evening arrived, ‘bout 4 carloads of boyz ‘n the hood (based on their rides) rolled up and proceeded to do EVERYTHING wrong (centerfire rifles on the intermediate pistol range, etc). Next thing you know, I’m the only one on the range other than this 4-car train of bozos-don’t know exactly when everybody else left-may have done so when this bunch arrived! Club rules say you’re supposed to wear you ID tag at all times (were catching folks who weren’t members on the range) and you can only bring 1 guest. Wanna wager how many in that bunch were club members? I’m finding it hard to believe even 1 was!
So there I am on the short pistol range trying to keep my eye on this bunch on the intermediate pistol range while trying to shoot-that’s when I started keeping a loaded pistol and 2 mags on my hip while checking targets, moonwalking to the target stands, and having an escape route through the woods picked out. Iff’n it happens again, I’m packing up my stuff and leaving!
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Funny... I had a similar experience that changed my views on carrying while down range about five years ago.

My wife and I were shooting at Rampart Range near CO Spgs (a beautiful free/unmanaged public range overlooking Pikes peak... Sadly trashed, of course). Anyway, it was getting towards the evening hours, maybe a half an hour or so before it would get dark.

A pimped out SUV full of gangsta's shows up in the parking lot, and they proceed to the "pistol" range with their Mac-somethings and other cheapie guns. No targets, lots of beer, and just start blasting away. They actually cooked off a few shots while we were downrange at one point too (I did have the common sense to keep the AR-15 on the sling when I went downrange that night, and they certainly weren't trying to cause us problems directly... but, still).

I thought about having words with them... But, you can't really get anywhere with six drunk and armed 'bangers.

We left without further incident. But, it reminded me that some folks are not the most desirable on these ranges. Given the gang colors, gang tats, and general attitude of the crew I encountered, I'd be willing to bet a paycheck that at least one of them was a previously convicted felon!
 
I've seen idiots on the range ( oddly enough primarily at Rampart Range) but I've never run into the type of bully described in the OP. Well, there was one guy (again at Rampart Range) that was unpacking his rifle when one of the other shooters decided to go down range and check a target (cold range). As soon as the checker stepped forward of the line the unpacker got all sarcastic and said " It would be nice if I could clear my weapon " in just THE NASTIEST tone I have ever heard. I had to bite my tongue not to ask the unpacker what the hell he was doing walking on the range W/ a weapon that he hadn't cleared.

As for carrying a pistol down range, maybe it does violate existing safety rules but rules need to reflect current reality. We have a thread going right now about a member who was murdered on a range, we may never know but I'd bet stealing his guns was at least a partial motive.

If I'm on a well policed, indoor shooting range with a a controled entrance/exit point I have no problem W/ unloading ant leaving my CCW at the wall.

On an unsupervised outdoor range up in the mountains like Rampart? Not so much ( More like not on your life)

If you can't trust me to walk down range W/ my CCW what the hell are you gonna do when I walk through Wal-Mart W/ it?
 
I have come across some know it alls at my range also. For the most part 98% of the people I met are nice. We don't have R/Os at our range. So , do my best to hit the range at the crack of dawn. Sometimes its still to dark,so I drink coffee and wait. Nice and peaceful.
 
For the most part, everybody behaves themselves at the range and shoots safely. It's just "occasionally" that we get one of these cheeseball "know it alls", but when they're there, it's a whole different atmosphere.

Personally, I like to shoot "relaxed"... not hyped up and pi$$ed off because of somebody who I don't know is sticking his nose in my business.

At a different range (where I don't go any more) I once handed my .357 to my son and told him to keep the "line" covered while I changed my target. They had popped off shots while people were down range, and were swinging weapons all over the place (no range officer), so I made sure nobody picked up a weapon while I was down there. We left when a group of Russians showed up with automatic weapons and were spraying shots all over the place.

That range is about 40 miles away, and I'm glad... I'm just surprised they don't have more problems there than I've heard about. It's out in a wildlife refuge, and VERY remote... but it sure ain't safe anywhere near there.

WT
 
Thank GOD that I have private land.


I shoot in my front lawn if the urge so strikes me.


I'm I've got the plans ready (when I get through with other projects) to build a 500 yard range on our land soon.


-- John
 
He was a jerk and those rules may be what he is used to. I have been to a few ranges where holsters are either not allowed at all or must be empty. He could have been polite about it and asked about the rules but that would mean he doesn't know everything.:rolleyes:
 
... I once handed my .357 to my son and told him to keep the "line" covered while I changed my target. They had popped off shots while people were down range, and were swinging weapons all over the place (no range officer), so I made sure nobody picked up a weapon while I was down there.
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:eek:

Rough place...
 
When I shot at public ranges, I always carried downrange. When I shoot at the private range now I still do if I am there by myself with no one at the line to keep an eye on things. S*** happens, and it can happen anywhere.

I just ignored the loudmouths. Once, and only once, did I feel the need to jump someones butt about being unsafe. They were stunned, but knew I was right and started behaving.
 
"At our range, where I'm sometimes a range marshal, the rules are that ALL guns be unloaded with actions open behind the firing line when a cease-fire is called. They also require that a yellow plastic flag be placed in the breach so the marshal can see that all guns are clear before letting people go down range. Guns are not to be touched during the cease-fire, either."


At my range they tell us we can only have one gun on the table at a time. And they tell us that we can only use targets made from recycled non-bleached paper. And the ink on the targets must be non-acidic. And they tell us when we can cross over the line and touch our guns. And then they tell us we can only pull the trigger on odd seconds.
 
I guess I am just spoiled by the ranges I grew up with. Everyone would shoot for a while, and then you'd look around and say 'it is OK to go cold for a minute?' Then you'd change your targets or whatever you wanted to do, come back and say 'Ok to go hot? Alright everyone the range is now hot.' 15 years I never saw anyone do anything dangerous.

All this stuff about green and red lights, white lines on the ground, no holsters, no more than one gun on the table at a time, etc. etc. It just seems like garbage to me. If I don't trust someone enough to know whether the range is hot or cold without a green or red flashing light, I don't want to be around them at all while they are handling a weapon.

Perhaps it is a necessary evil in an urban area filled with idiots. That is pretty much what all the ranges are like where I have recently move, and its the main reason I haven't been shooting as much.
 
When I shot at public ranges, I always carried downrange.
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I didn't initially when I started using the Ft. Knox public range when I was stationed there in the '80s. That changed one day when a couple of townies fired AFTER we'd called a cease fire and were downrange changing targets. They wanted to argue about it too. We told them if it happened again, we'd return fire. We then went to range control to report it. They'd left by the time we got back. We locked up our stuff before we went to range control.

Things like this are why I prefer private ranges.
 
Just give the bully a big retarded guy smile and blurt out "I like tatertots and shiny things!" while picking your nose. Then ignore him like he isn't even there.

This will do two things:

-Confuse him and make it difficult for him to figure out how to handle you.
-Cause him to greatly underestimate you in case things do escalate later.

You can expand this effect by making a horse-like laugh after every shot you make.
 
Yes, sounds like the guy was an asshat.

Having said that, and not referring to your example in particular, I think it's common sense and common courtesy to follow all range rules to the letter. If the rules say no guns forward of the line, don't take guns forward of the line. If the rules say no handling of guns while someone is downrange, then don't handle guns, even if it's broken down. Thing is, from a distance I might not be able to see that the rifle your handling has the bolt removed.

I must say, the range I go to in central Ohio seems to generally draw a good group of shooters who respect safety and follow the rules. If I was downrange and saw someone handling a weapon, I'd shout a polite reminder to them. If they did it twice, I'd be less polite and tell the range officer.

K
 
I go to a monitored range. its safer. you put your guns actions open un loaded on the forward bench and step back and wait. Then when the sieze fire is called everyone finishes off what they have loaded or unloads the guns. Lays them on the bench actions open magazines detached unloaded. Then stands behind the yellow safety line. A RO walks down and checks all firearms. Then down range is called you can walk past the guns set up targets and everything. Then come back stepping behind the yellow line. Not touching a single gun.
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I shoot at a range with similar rules. I prefer a range with strict rules and people to enforce them.

Regardless of where I shoot, I am always armed. So I still go downrange to check targets while armed (primary and BUG).
 
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