Gun range safety opinions please

[230RN]

Action open, down on the bench, all step back N paces from the firing point.

For some guns, "empty" can be awkward, eg tubular magazines.

To me, one of the most undisciplined rascals you'll ever meet, firing line discipline should be very rigid, if for nothing else, to impress newbies with its importance.

I would be nervous on your "red light" range, but if that's the way the range members voted on it, I guess that's it.

Terry, 230RN

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

I was blessed to be introduced to shooting ranges at a supremely strict range which instilled good practices for me.

CSA (Colonial Shooting Academy) in Richmond VA is where I first started shooting at. Strict practice of only one gun on the bench at a time and when guns were set on the bench open chamber and visible.

I've never had the displeasure of shooting at a disorganized outdoor range and for the last 5yrs the only range outside of IDPA matches I shoot at is my own at home, thank the good Lord.

 

[KahrDriving]

I stopped going to one local range due to suicides....5 in seven years. Person walks in, rents a gun and buys a box of ammo. Game over.

Very sad

 

[kmw1954]

I would say you're being justifiably nervous. It sounds like a poorly-supervised range.

Sounds more like an unsupervised or unattended range. NO RO.

 

[SSN Vet]

We have the lights at the club I belong to and it would be considered very rude to just hit the light without requesting a cease fire... and unsafe to immediately take off down range.

If I want to change/pull paper, I wait for a break in the action and then ask if I can get a cease fire. If the answer is affirmative, I loudly announce "cease firing, the range is cold" then I flip the light switch and go do my thing. When everyone is back behind the firing line, I'll check "everyone have their ears on" or "everyone ready to go hot" and when I get the thumbs up, I announce "The range is hot" and turn off the light switch.

No one is supposed to handle guns or ammo when the range is cold.... though we have a little (heated) break room and I will sometimes go in there and load mags.

That's how we roll....

 

[kmw1954]

As mentioned previously, I work 2-3days each week as an RO at a fairly large public outdoor range. We have 4 individual ranges from 25yds to 300yds and at any given time we can have as many as 1 to 44 shooters on the range so our rules are well defined and overly generic.

We run 15 minute firing sessions, a 2 minute warning is called out before each cease-fire. When cease-fire is called a red flashing light goes on, then over a PA system is given the instruction to Cease-fire, repeated, then instructed to unload firearms, remove magazines, open chambers, place chamber flag, then if going down range to take a target and step back, away from the benches and to the rear of the range. During Cease-fire do not handle any firearms or ammunition and do not approach the bench, Final command, Wait for inspection and the range to be cleared. Once the inspection is finished and the range is secure shooter are allowed down range.

All very clear and simple directions given repeatedly after each session yet it amazes me how many times every day I have to correct someone for not following these simple directions. Such as people milling around the benches, not placing a chamber flag, trying to leave down range before the all-clear range is secure.

Yes these rules are in place to Control you the shooter. They are in place to protect you the shooter from unsafe practices and to protect the range itself from the same liability. I have seen some acts by shooters that show complete disregard for anyone else's safety. Even just general safety rules such as keep the muzzle pointed downrange at all times. I have witnessed many times a whole line of benches be swept by someone with a loaded firearm and then they get angry when I point it out and correct them.

For myself, I would not shoot at a place run such as you describe.

 

[Hokkmike]

I frequented one range where the rule was guns down and hands off, I was okay with that even if each gun was not open action/chamber empty. As long as the gun is down and no hands near or on it all should be good.

I had friends that left a .22 in the condition you describe above. They both walked down range to check a target. The gun discharged (nobody near it) and one fellow was shot in the back. Each gun should have the action open with no ammo, muzzle canted in a safe direction, with no handling until the OK to shoot is given.

 

[trekker73]

I don't think it's a particularly common thing but as long as nobody is handling the guns what would possibly cause them to discharge?

Not advocating for or against such a policy just asking.

Hangfires

As to the OP question I dont use ranges anymore but last one I went to had a siren to indicate in a few seconds firing would cease. Then it was step back behind the line until the all clear was given to check targets.

 

[citizenconn]

When cease fire was called yesterday there was a crew with a single AR15 and of the three of them they couldn’t lock the bolt open. The RO did it for them. So aw Heck No I don’t think so.

I think the same crew of guys visit the range I frequent, too. They are masters of disguise because they look different on different range visits, but exhibit the same unfamiliarity with how their own firearms work.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I've taken a couple of guns to the range to test-fire that failed the test - either worn sears or too light of a trigger.
If someone left a firearm in this condition pointed down-range that was loaded and with the action closed... .

 

[citizenconn]

Sounds more like an unsupervised or unattended range. NO RO.

The new outdoor range me and my shooting partner go to is like this. It depends visit to visit how the safety is going to be. It is marketed as a "tactical" range and a lot of the fellows shooting there dress like they just back from or are headed to a deployment in a hot zone. Even though it is over 100 degrees there in the summer, we've learned to go later in the day as most of the younger guys have run out of their one or two boxes of ammo by then and have left.

But we have been flagged numerous times from the tactical bays just driving down the road to the sighting ranges. At the sighting ranges it is always a crap shoot. The trend I see is the younger the guys shooting and the more there are in a group the more likely we are to get flagged. Since there is no range officer and no posted rules its a crapshoot. These types of shooters are the bread and butter of this range, though, so its unlikely to change anytime soon though we have spoken with management a number of times about it. Until someone opens another outdoor range within reasonable driving distance, we will take our chances here. When it gets too dicey we just move to a different area. It was a sad day when our old outdoor range shut down a couple years ago. Sigh.

 

[Capybara]

I've belonged to four gun clubs in my life. In 3 or the 4 the rule was that all firearms were to have actions opened and no rounds in the chamber before people were allowed to go down range. There's one place where all you do is hit a light switch which sounds buzzer and the red lights over head flash. The people do not check with other shooters to see if it is a good place to stop shooting for them, they just hit the switch and go. Btw this is an outdoor range.

People walk out to their targets immediately after hitting the switch so there is no time to clear your weapon, people's guns are loaded and ready to fire.

Am I being overly nervous about this rule? If I am please tell me. I would like to know other people's experiences at their gun clubs and if you think leaving loaded guns on the firing line is fine while people are down range. I appreciate your feedback. Thanks

What kind of poor excuse for an RSO does the range have? I would NEVER allow that to happen on any range I was running as an RSO. I like shooting but there are a lot of unsafe shooters out there who I won't trust with my or other people's lives. It's just not worth it. I try to avoid public ranges as much as possible for this reason, there are soooo many clueless people out there at ranges, both shooting at them and often, running them.

 

[denton]

I would not shoot at that range. I am a Range Safety Officer at a large, outdoor range. Adequate warning is always given for shooters to have time to shoot remaining rounds. Then actions are opened, bolts locked back and shooters are required to step away from benches, back behind a painted line. I walk the line, look at each firearm, then turn on flashing light and allow shooters forward of the firing line to check targets. No one is allowed to approach benches or touch firearms while anyone is down-range. I would not shoot at your range, or walk down-range. I have seen simply AMAZING things from inexperienced shooters.

That's similar to where I shoot. Always 3-4 ROs on duty, calling cease fires, checking empty chambers, etc. and watching to be sure everyone has eye and ear protection, and is excercising proper muzzle control. I think that is the right way to run a range.

Still, we very often have folks who are ready to leave during a cease fire, and who then pick up their firearm to pack it up. They aren't malicious, but do need to be reminded.

 

[HollowDawg]

Mine is an outdoor range. When range is cold all long guns are to be unloaded, racked w action open or flagged. Handguns unloaded and in case. Range goes cold when all agree and then flashing light switch on to indicate range state. No firearms are to be touched AT ALL while range is cold. Mags can be loaded but firearms can't be touched. Have to wait for range to go hot before casing your long guns to leave. Tends to stop the foolish from playing with their firearms when folks are downrange. When moving uncased firearms, muzzle up. Only other direction muzzle should ever point is downrange. Seems to work well.