Range Rules & CCW

[Treo]

My local shooting range has a the range rules very clearly posted at the entrance to the range. One of the rules is that all weapons must be unloaded until you are actually on the firing line, and at anytime someone is down range. I understand these rules and am willing to comply W/ them up to a point, the point being I have my CWP & I carry every where I am legally allowed to carry . The other point that I balk at is that I don't know most of the people that use this range ( most are active or retired military & present no worries) & I've already had one range commando tell me how he could disarm me at will . That said I follow a practice of always having one weapon loaded at all times while on the range, and I caution my wife ( also a CHP holder ) to do the same. Am I being paranoid ? How does everyone else deal W/ similar situations? EDITED TO ADD the gun club is in a pretty rural area & the range is almost a mile from the club house so if you're on the range alone you are ALONE

 

[Creature]

Range rules are ranges rules. Comply or do not use that range.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Shoot your other guns and have a holstered carry gun - to remain holstered unless needed - in reserve. Concealed means concealed, as they say. The rules are meant to avoid accidents while handling or shooting firearms and as such are perfectly reasonable, but a holstered gun is not going to go off by itself.

 

[ilbob]

a rule is a rule. if you want to belong to the club and/or use their range, its part of the deal.

if it really bugs you, you might want to talk to the people running the club about it. its also possible you are misreading the rule.

its a very common rule to have cold ranges. it is a legitimate safety protocol for the same reason that uspsa (and probably all other action shooting sports) does not allow loaded weapons at matches except when actually shooting.

 

[Javelin]

I have to disagree. Concealed means concealed. If you carry your concealed firearm you just do not shoot that weapon at the range.


EDIT: Too long on the trigger before firing... Lone beat me to the post!!!!

But my thoughts on the matter still stand.

 

[Infidel]

Have you discussed this with club officers and/or range officers? At the clubs where I am a member, the same rules exist, but do not apply to concealed handguns carried by permit holders. That is actually made clear in the full version of the rules now, but was not a few years ago, although the policy was the same then. The exception for CCW does not apply at formal shooting matches, though. It's worth asking about. My clubs also make it clear that concealed is concealed....

 

[xsquidgator]

You bet I do (and almost every shooter I know as well)! It's an unfortunate reality that it is *possible* that your firearms could be the target of a criminal, with only you being in the way. It would be foolish to not be alert to the possibility, especially when simply keeping a firearm ready to go just in case will go such a long way towards helping to keep you safe. We just have to accept that we need to be alert and that we may need to defend ourselves and our firearms from attack/robbery.

I comply with range rules, but there is at least one place locally where I won't go because of this kind of issue. Here in central Florida, about a year ago there was a group of thugs who specifically targeted people shooting at local ranges. "Robbers target shooters" They would follow them home, in one case over 20 miles away, and then stage a SWAT-style armed robbery on their victim as soon as he pulled into the driveway. Like 4 armed thugs swoop in behind you, block you in your driveway, and suddenly you're looking down the barrels of 4 guns drawn on you. They got away with several of these, and , it could easily happen again.

Since this is a clear case of an ounce of being prepared being worth a pound of "cure", and it's easy to do, since these local incidents I
- like you, I keep a CCW ready, or keep at least one firearm with loaded magazine(s) ready to go. But don't stop there.

-always leave the range with at least one firearm ready to go, don't EVER shoot all the ammo I came with
-when I go to my club range (rural) which allows long guns, I try to bring at least one suitable long gun and keep it with me (not in the trunk), especially on the trip back. This is one of the types of situations in mind for which people pack a "truck gun" or a "trunk gun". You need to be aware of local laws, since this may not be legal in all places. My understanding of my locality law is that loaded long guns are not ok, even with CWP. But, nothing says I can't have an unloaded long gun with one or two magazines nearby, plus my CCW.
-I'm much more attentive, especially on the return trip home. Anyone possibly following me? If so, I don't care if it looks paranoid, I take a detour, do a couple of turns, and make sure I'm not being followed to my house.
-As soon as I get near the house, I open the garage door with the clicker, drive in, and shut the garage door as soon as I'm in, watching the rearview mirror.

Of course this hasn't been necessary, strictly speaking, since no one's tried to rob me, yet. But I feel much more prepared and ready now that I've developed these habits that don't cost anything and don't hurt anything/anyone.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Have you discussed this with club officers and/or range officers?

Agreed. If you haven't done so already, you might want to have a "sit-down" with the management and ask for clarification, as well as report the incident(s) with the weirdo(s).

 

[sacp81170a]

I've already had one range commando tell me how he could disarm me at will .

Not unless he's an LEO acting within his jurisdiction and the scope of his duties, he can't. The best the property owner can do is ask you to leave and then file charges for trespassing if you refuse to do so. Any stranger on the range who walked up to me and insisted that I hand over my loaded CCW firearm would get a blunt refusal and a laugh. That said, you should really clarify what the owner of the range means. I shoot regularly at an indoor range that doesn't allow "draw and shoot" practice. They "bend" the rules for local LEO's that they're familiar with so we can practice for qualification, but only when no one else is using the range. Otherwise, we comply with the rules.

 

[brickeyee]

They are trying to run a 'cold range' for safety.
It is their option.

Cold ranges DO have advantages when inexperienced people may be present.
I know how to handle a gun, you know how to handle a gun.
That does not mean that someone shooting a gun for the first time would be a good idea on a 'hot' range.

Change the rules or leave.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Concealed means concealed. That sign is for the guns you will be shooting.

I always wear my CCW at the ranges with signs like this, and it stays concealed.

Where's the problem again?

 

[orionengnr]

Yes, by all means, make sure you understand the rules as they are intended, not necesarily as they are written. By this I mean: ask the questions and find out.

My local range has a similar sign, but after I asked, I found that they have no problem wih a CHL or an LEO maintaining a loaded concealed weapon. Key word--concealed. It is a don't ask, don't tell situation in reverse--if you don't ask, they won't tell you.

The rule was written for the people who walk in with a range bag--none of those in the bag may be loaded.

Now I walk in (and out) with a bag of empties, and an ace in the hole

It was actually reading about that business in Florida (BGs following the guy home from the range) that got me thinking and asking the questions.

Communication is a good thing.

 

[ravnew]

At the OSA range I belong to CCW holders are allowed to keep a loaded, concealed and holstered weapon on them at the range as long as it stays holstered. There is some talk about designating two points for CCW holders to use just to unload and load their CCW's in the event that they want to get some practice in with them.

 

[Treo]

My range doesn't have range officers per sé 99% of the time safe range practices are followed & as I pointed out the pistol/rifle range is way out on the butt end of nowhere my CCW stays concealed while I am at the range and I never leave W/ a paper weight

 

[GRIZ22]

Having all guns unloaded until they are on the firing line is a common range rule, CCP or not. This may be required for insurance reasons and even if it isn't it's not a bad idea. I was a LE Firearms Instructor and reuiqred all agnets to unload before coming on the line and leave the line with an empty firearm.

Don't go to that range if it bothers you that much.

 

[DFW1911]

Concealed means concealed. That sign is for the guns you will be shooting.

I always wear my CCW at the ranges with signs like this, and it stays concealed.

+1; the range I go to spells this out pretty clearly.

Thanks,
DFW1911

 

[fearless leader]

I carry everywhere I can get away with.

If I cannot be charged with a crime, I am packing something, even at the beach.

If I am at a pool, something is close by. In the shower, something close by (I have actually had someone attempt to break in while I was in the bathroom). If in bed, no telling.

What they don't know won't hurt them. Just conceal well.

I read your original post after that happened. Just be a duck and let it roll off of your back. Don't let some loud mouthed A hole destroy your confidence. He was just shooting off at the mouth.

Point of fact 1: most people can be disarmed.
Point of fact 2: it is easy to get killed trying point of fact 1.

 

[Javelin]

Don't go to that range if it bothers you that much.

I think the jist is that it does not bother anyone. Just keep your CCW concealed and no one is the wiser, which is the same at a mall, wal-mart, or bookstore.

 

[alligator94]

I used to go to a range that did not allow any holstered weapons, especialy no CCW. (This was in MD however) This rule also applied to any and all law enforcement, I have seen them kick out more than one for refusing to disarm.

 

[RPCVYemen]

My local shooting range has a the range rules very clearly posted at the entrance to the range.

Ask wether that included CCW. Most ranges have faced this issue, and have some kind of policy.

Also, understand if the range does not make an exception for CCW. There - as far as I know - no implication that holding a CCW implies any training in safe handling if weapons. My guess, and this is anecdotal - I haven't seen the stats, the cast majority of ND happen either when weapons are being cleaned or holstered/unholstered.

A lot of folks that wear weapons in holsters don't really understand how difficult muzzle control can be when drawing weapon on a firing line (for example shoulder holsters and cross-draw).

A lot of ranges don't want you shooting yourself on their range - it will wreak havoc with their insurance company, even if you don't sue.

So ranges have good reason to be paranoid about CCW. I shoot at range where only LEOs can carry loaded weapons behind the firing line, and another where CCW is OK.

Mike

 

[Treo]

Restatement

The first thing I want to ask is of all the people who are telling my to abide by the range rules period, how many of you have a CHP & how many are cops? Second I want to clarify 60% of the time the wife & I got to this range we are alone on the range, in that case no question, I carry. I do NOT practice quick draws on the range REGARDLESS of who else is there and my CCW stays concealed while I am on the range if I choose to pratice W/ my CCW I walk to the end of the range unholster and switch to fmj rounds before shooting And I want to say it again the range I practice on is waaaaaaaaay out on the butt end of nowhere there's nothing to stop someone W/ criminal intent from walking over the berm . I don't see that I am endangering anyone.

 

[Creature]

I was one of those who advised in previous posts that you comply with the range's rules...and I have a CHL.

Until you address this issue with the range owner, I would still advise that you not carry your weapon on the range...unless you want to possibly run the risk of being banned from the range and/or having a complaint filed against you by the owner. If you want to play on their court, you've got to play by their rules.

 

[Sam1911]

Concealed is concealed.

The weapon you are carrying for personal protection is NOT in play or (ethically, at least) under the range's firearms handling rules.

If you are planning to shoot your carry weapon, then clear it and treat it like any other gun. If you finish your session by stepping to the line and drawing your concealed pistol from under your coat and ripping off a few drills, then you have violated the range rules and deserved to be kicked out.

Unless you are in a legal jurisdiction where a property owner's demand that you disarm carries some legal weight, then your concealed weapon is NONE of his/her/their concern. If you were entering a restaurant, store, office, etc. that had "no guns" signs posted, would you, in your state, be obligated to disarm? If not, then their restrictions and rules apply only to your conduct and handling of the weapons you are using their range to shoot.

If you are "made"/spotted carrying, a range officer COULD require that you disarm or leave. And you would have to or be subject to charges of trespassing. If your weapon stays concealed then you harm no one and break no laws.

This seems like a very simple point. As TXRifleman said, "Where's the problem, again?"

-Sam

 

[Zedicus]

There is one range south of Boise that is run by a BP & Muzzle Loader Club (Bunch of FUD's I'm told), I'm told they actually have "No Concealed Weapons" signs up in addition to Range Rules like these, as well as a Rule that any loaded Firearm must have the muzzle pointed Skyward unless you are shooting at a target downrange (Dangerous IMHO) due to Concrete Floors.

The part about the "No Concealed Weapons" signs is Unconfirmed btw as I can't be bothered wasting the $25 worth of fuel driving all the way out there.

 

[kd7nqb]

My range has similar rules but theirs specifically says NO CCW. I happen to chat with the owner about this she mentioned that it was due to their insurance requirements.