RSO Legal Authority

[Speedo66]

Forget the legalese, warnings, threats, etc. If this asshat intentionally or unintentionally sweeps people, he's a danger and shouldn't be there.

Sounds like the visit to the range is not the only reason for the trip. If you're that uncomfortable with him, well, you've been to ranges before. Forestall it all, beg off going there. Alternatively, if there's a RSO at the range, ask him to be especially vigilant with this character, and tell him why.

If he decides to ban this guy, so be it.

 

[Bwana John]

Just don't go.

 

[George Dickel]

I know an idiot. He likes to point his gun at people "Jokingly," and even did it loaded one time. I have not been in person when this idiot did it, but found out that he will be coming on a trip with my friends and I, and we will be going to a shooting range. I know the real solution is "Don't Go," but I have already spent hundreds of dollars on this trip.

My question is, what are my legal rights in this matter? I received my RSO certification at the Airforce Academy last year, but was only informed about what I was allowed to do on their range. If he pulls his crap again, what can I do other than threaten to call the police?

Your RSO certification confers no legal authority nor does it carry any weight on a range where you not assigned RSO duties. Even on the range where you are an RSO you have no legal authority to do anything to the idiot other than eject him from the range. If you are going to a range where there is an RSO and idiot does something stupid, notify the RSO. Make it clear to your "friends" and idiot that is your plan of action if idiot does stupid things.

 

[alsaqr]

At sixteen years old joined a deer hunting party. At our morning meeting Virgil said: "I'm going to shoot the first thing that moves". Had i been older and wiser i would have immediately booked. The first thing that moved was Sammy of our hunting party. Sammy almost died.

 

[GEM]

Was supposed to go hunting for a theoretical mountain lion in a group. I asked what was our fire plan if we saw such a beast or God forbid, it got among us. The response was : Well, we will just rack our shotguns and shoot it.

Another member said to me on the side - If we see one, I will hit the dirt.

Thankfully we never saw one. We were supposed to be quiet but one member kept on yakking loudly as he was scared poop-less.

Never did that again.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I know an idiot. He likes to point his gun at people "Jokingly," and even did it loaded one time. I have not been in person when this idiot did it, but found out that he will be coming on a trip with my friends and I, and we will be going to a shooting range. I know the real solution is "Don't Go," but I have already spent hundreds of dollars on this trip.

My question is, what are my legal rights in this matter? I received my RSO certification at the Airforce Academy last year, but was only informed about what I was allowed to do on their range. If he pulls his crap again, what can I do other than threaten to call the police?

You are worrying about the wrong factors, your legal authority and your financial situation of a slight loss. You should be worrying about your medical situation. Knowingly not going with the "real solution" is 100% on you.

So you see a crime is committed in your presence, and you can't even decide whether to threaten to call the cops or actually call them?

 

[1942bull]

I look at it this way. The OP has heard that the subject once pointed a gun at someone. That is hearsay and has no legal value. The OP has no legal authority to restrict the subject’s actions nor does he have the rights of a premises owner to restrict activity on the range. The OP is simply a member of a group visit to a shooting range, and as such hS no control over the group or anyone in the group.

If the OP tells members of the group what he heard about that subject and that is not true there could be legal liability by defamation. If the subject actually did point a gun at someone on the range trip and the OP intervened the only thing the OP could do is ask the subject not to do that. Unless the subject actually presents the realistic possibility of causing injury or death to oneself or another there is noting can be done except complain to the subject and whoever controls the premises. In other words: the OP is in a helpless situation that has a no-win reality.

I do not tell people what to do. I only tell what I would do. I would go on the trip, and I would keep my eye on the subject. If any of his behavior was out of line I wou;s alert others and call him in it. Suggesting that if he did not want to follow safety rules it would be best if he left. After that the chips fall where they may.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Deleted post

 

[WestTexShooter]

Assuming the accusations of potential idiocy from the referenced shooter are true - the only thing near as frightening is someone thinking (due to some irrelevant certification) that they have some legal authority over another's private property.

If the OP's original concerns are valid - he should not participate in that days activities.

 

[Frank Ettin]

This one seems to have run its course.