Treo
member
I almost never shoot alone, our range is pretty remote , generally I handle the targets & DW watches the guns. If I do go alone I only take one our 2 guns and they all go down range W/me.
Disturbing Incident at a Range I Frequent
- Thread starter XD Fan
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Phydeaux642
Member
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I'm guessing that this took place at Busick State Park. I hear a lot of stories about, shall we say, less than desirable people frequenting that location. I would only go with a group of people if I decided to go at all. It really sucks that you can't take advantage of an area like that without having to watch out for knuckleheads like that guy.
ColinthePilot
Member
I usually observe other shooters carefully while I'm at the range, I rarely go alone, but I do leave my guns on the line when I go down range. I've been carrying more frequently lately, and after reading this, I'll never be unarmed at the range again.
I also stopped using one range which is more convenient, and choose to drive a little further to a more remote range because the people there seem to be more safe, knowledgeable, and the more convenient range is more convenient to the local thugs as well. I've been swept by "unloaded guns" more times than I care to count at that range, and they don't like me to carry concealed.
I also stopped using one range which is more convenient, and choose to drive a little further to a more remote range because the people there seem to be more safe, knowledgeable, and the more convenient range is more convenient to the local thugs as well. I've been swept by "unloaded guns" more times than I care to count at that range, and they don't like me to carry concealed.
Unfortunately, all kinds of people like guns and shooting, just as all kinds of people like just about any other kind of hobby, pastime, or activity. It stands to reason that includes people who might want to acquire a gun by less than legitimate means.
K
K
I do 90% of my shooting at a private, gated club. I joined years ago after seeing too much unsafe gun handling at a local unsupervised range.
When I do go to an unsupervised range, There's a reason I try not to go alone.
If I do have a buddy I make sure that only one of goes to check targets while the other one stays back with the guns.
If I'm by myself, I'll only take out one gun at a time and take it with me when I go down range, holstered or slung usually.
I'll also stay armed at all times at any informal range area. If I shoot that carry gun, I *instantly* reload and reholster.
When I do go to an unsupervised range, There's a reason I try not to go alone.
If I do have a buddy I make sure that only one of goes to check targets while the other one stays back with the guns.
If I'm by myself, I'll only take out one gun at a time and take it with me when I go down range, holstered or slung usually.
I'll also stay armed at all times at any informal range area. If I shoot that carry gun, I *instantly* reload and reholster.
evan price
Member
Dude, if you did that kind of thing at any range I've been to, you'd better be prepared to show a department issued ID or you WILL have serious problems.
Your paranoia is a little too untreated, ya dig?
I joined a private gun club about 12 years ago after getting too creeped out shooting at a public WMA range about 15 miles out of town.
Most folks there were mighty friendly, but so few of 'em had a clue about gun safety and range etiquette.
Before I finally joined the private club, I got to where I wouldn't even get out of my car until the range cleared out. I would also pack up and leave when others finally showed up when I was shooting.
No, I didn't fear them as people . . . but I feared their dangerous practices on the range.
In the private club, it was populated by the best and most serious handgunners, bench rest riflemen and skeet shooters in the area. These folks drilled the center out of their targets, reloaded since they shot so much and practiced exemplary range and gun safety.
We locked and unlocked the gate behind ourselves and, if others showed up, they were a fellow dues-paying member.
Recently I went out to the WMA range . . . and it brought back bad memories . . .
Everything standing was shot up . . . including the chairs provided for folks to sit in at the benches. They'd been taken out and used for backstops for targets to sit in!!!
So many people are nasty and practice unsafe habits on the gun range.
T.
Most folks there were mighty friendly, but so few of 'em had a clue about gun safety and range etiquette.
Before I finally joined the private club, I got to where I wouldn't even get out of my car until the range cleared out. I would also pack up and leave when others finally showed up when I was shooting.
No, I didn't fear them as people . . . but I feared their dangerous practices on the range.
In the private club, it was populated by the best and most serious handgunners, bench rest riflemen and skeet shooters in the area. These folks drilled the center out of their targets, reloaded since they shot so much and practiced exemplary range and gun safety.
We locked and unlocked the gate behind ourselves and, if others showed up, they were a fellow dues-paying member.
Recently I went out to the WMA range . . . and it brought back bad memories . . .
Everything standing was shot up . . . including the chairs provided for folks to sit in at the benches. They'd been taken out and used for backstops for targets to sit in!!!
So many people are nasty and practice unsafe habits on the gun range.
T.
DRZinn
Member
I'd be equally angry if they did have a badge.
86thecat
Member
If you shoot alone, electronic ear muffs are great. They let you hear when someone comes up from behind.
Treo
member
I don't know these days I think shooting alone might be baaaaaad Ju-Ju.
The range I shoot at is a members & guests only club it's actually pretty remote and I don't recall ever seeing a major safety violation there in the time I've been a member.
West of town in the Rampart Mountains, there's a public range called Rampart Range. Think of every bad range stary you've ever heard here on THR now double them , that's Rampart Range.
It seems that the serious shooters either end up W/ their own private range or join a club and the inexperianced shooters end up at sinkholes like rampart.
And for all of you that are freaking out because "a gun owner wouldn't do this" ....uuummm.... a Cali Compton Crip OG ( original member of the original crips) W/ GLOCK is just as much a gun owner as you are.
The range I shoot at is a members & guests only club it's actually pretty remote and I don't recall ever seeing a major safety violation there in the time I've been a member.
West of town in the Rampart Mountains, there's a public range called Rampart Range. Think of every bad range stary you've ever heard here on THR now double them , that's Rampart Range.
It seems that the serious shooters either end up W/ their own private range or join a club and the inexperianced shooters end up at sinkholes like rampart.
And for all of you that are freaking out because "a gun owner wouldn't do this" ....uuummm.... a Cali Compton Crip OG ( original member of the original crips) W/ GLOCK is just as much a gun owner as you are.
moga
Member
S&W Fan said:
This isn't Charlie Elliott by any chance, is it?
I usually shoot alone, and usually only have 1 gun out of my car at a time, but the rules at my range don't allow me to carry it down range. If it was a pistol, I could holster it and carry it down, but for my rifles, I'm screwed. I guess I'll have to find someone to go shooting with.
XD Fan
Member
Trinydex said:
That was my thought too! Silly of me, I guess.
That was my thought too! Silly of me, I guess.
brighamr
Member
Good reason to never go alone to an unsupervised range.
Or, if you do go alone, DON'T LEAVE YOUR STUFF ALONE!
+1, even at a sanctioned match, don't leave your stuff laying out when you're not right next to it. Just bad policy, and potential problems.
Or, if you do go alone, DON'T LEAVE YOUR STUFF ALONE!
+1, even at a sanctioned match, don't leave your stuff laying out when you're not right next to it. Just bad policy, and potential problems.
Call me paranoid, but when I head out to the area where I shoot, I always keep one mag loaded and on me at all times. When I go downrange to check targets I load that mag and re-holster before I go downrange. Or, if I am shooting another weapon I keep my carry piece loaded and ready. But usually I’m the only one there, so I have never had a problem.
cubfarm1
Member
Ozark Range
cAN YOU TELL WHAT RANGE THIS WAS?????? I use two in the area near Springfield MO Would you let me and us know what to look for, what type of car maybe?
cAN YOU TELL WHAT RANGE THIS WAS?????? I use two in the area near Springfield MO Would you let me and us know what to look for, what type of car maybe?
That is terrible. 
To counter that story, I was at a range with my buddy in Maryland. It was an unsupervised range (rifle/pistol). We had enough firearms to man an urban checkpoint in Gronzy so it took a long time to put everything back in the truck.
It turns out my buddy foolishly left a $1500 benelli over/under shotgun sitting there. I know, beyond dumb and we still let him hear about it to this day. He didn't even realize he left it there until 30 minutes later when we got home. Remember it was an unsupervised range (actually just has an honor box to pay) and no phones there. There were only a few people there when we left, one of which was a group of young, loud 21 year old types. So my buddy was sick to his stomach racing back in his truck.
It turns out a father and son were shooting .22s, and the dad saw what happened after my friend left, and secured his shotgun and hung onto it... and actually stayed an extra 20-30 min to see if my friend would return. So needless to say he was relieved beyond words.
Shows there are good people in the world.... and bad people.
To counter that story, I was at a range with my buddy in Maryland. It was an unsupervised range (rifle/pistol). We had enough firearms to man an urban checkpoint in Gronzy so it took a long time to put everything back in the truck.
It turns out my buddy foolishly left a $1500 benelli over/under shotgun sitting there. I know, beyond dumb and we still let him hear about it to this day. He didn't even realize he left it there until 30 minutes later when we got home. Remember it was an unsupervised range (actually just has an honor box to pay) and no phones there. There were only a few people there when we left, one of which was a group of young, loud 21 year old types. So my buddy was sick to his stomach racing back in his truck.
It turns out a father and son were shooting .22s, and the dad saw what happened after my friend left, and secured his shotgun and hung onto it... and actually stayed an extra 20-30 min to see if my friend would return. So needless to say he was relieved beyond words.
Shows there are good people in the world.... and bad people.
XD Fan
Member
Buckoo,
You are indeed correct. It behooves all of us to be that kind of gun owner. Sorry to ound preachy.
LTB15J said:
I hope that does happen.
You are indeed correct. It behooves all of us to be that kind of gun owner. Sorry to ound preachy.
LTB15J said:
I hope that does happen.
I was out at my local range Friday (got off at 10am 
) and there usually isn't a RO during weekdays (only Saturday and Sunday). I went alone, and never thought about leaving my guns on the line during "clear" times. Guess I'd better use more caution.
I shoot at a privately owned range, but you do not have to be a member to shoot. It's not uncommon at that range for people to look at the guns on your table and maybe ask questions about them. Most people are really nice, and one guy even let me shoot his new GSG-5. A guy next to me kept leaving the line to go into the shop for one reason or another and I watched his stuff (even though he didn't ask me to) because I think it's the decent thing to do.
But I guess you can't expect people to do that. One would like to think that most all people have good intentions but there's always the possibility that someone will jack your stuff. Although, if I were a thief I certainly wouldn't be stealing from people whom I know are armed, lol.
) and there usually isn't a RO during weekdays (only Saturday and Sunday). I went alone, and never thought about leaving my guns on the line during "clear" times. Guess I'd better use more caution.I shoot at a privately owned range, but you do not have to be a member to shoot. It's not uncommon at that range for people to look at the guns on your table and maybe ask questions about them. Most people are really nice, and one guy even let me shoot his new GSG-5. A guy next to me kept leaving the line to go into the shop for one reason or another and I watched his stuff (even though he didn't ask me to) because I think it's the decent thing to do.
But I guess you can't expect people to do that. One would like to think that most all people have good intentions but there's always the possibility that someone will jack your stuff. Although, if I were a thief I certainly wouldn't be stealing from people whom I know are armed, lol.
One thing I didn't see mentioned that seems a little scary is that here you are witnessing this guy's crime. He's got a gun in his hand and maybe he doesn't like witnesses.
As far as pictures of license plates....you're on camera in multiple places almost any time you go out in public. You have no expectation of privacy for your vehicle in a public lot. I might ask someone why they would be doing it, but, I wouldn't make too big a deal of it.
As far as pictures of license plates....you're on camera in multiple places almost any time you go out in public. You have no expectation of privacy for your vehicle in a public lot. I might ask someone why they would be doing it, but, I wouldn't make too big a deal of it.
Was this at the Hobbs State Park range? I've always felt nervous when changing targets there. I always have it in the back of my mind that something like this or worse could happen. Usually I go with friends, and one of us stays back to keep an eye on things.
--RuffRidr
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