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This is getting too far off topic, but I can see where a bad range layout would be ripe for conflict. I enjoy the solitude of sitting in the boondocks plinking with my .22 just to decompress from the stresses of modern rural life.

wgoforth wrote:I think we are talking 2 different kinds of places. The outdoor ranges key controlled I am referring to are usually out of the way, secluded with not many people at a time. We had a murder at ours here in Brownwood years ago and 2 years ago on Christmas day a man was murdered at such a range in OK. Those keys get passed around to buddies and half the folks don't lock it, so lots of non-members come in. Think about it...just you and another guy by yourselves. You're not going to be alarmed at another guy with a gun. Pop. Between that and the dangerous shooters (ie, firing while someone is on the range checking targets after calling cease fire) I do not go to this one. That is why I said each range will be different, just check it out.

While it is a possibility I guess I just haven't thought about it. Members at our club are required to carry a badge, but that could be passed to an outsider just as easily as the key. You describe it perfectly, yes, it is an off the beaten path outdoor range and usually only one or two other groups there at one time, so I guess it is a possibility.

My biggest fear would be finding someone who committed suicide, I've never felt in danger there in the least. Some of my closest friends were met there. I was the club's event coordinator for a few years before I needed a break last election, and I know most of the regulars so usually I'm either by myself or with people I know. Good group of folks but with 250 members I don't know everyone. Dang, now I going to be paranoid.

TomsTXCHL wrote:

wgoforth wrote:Some ranges are strictly monitored; some not at all. I won't go to the kind where you just have a key to let yourself in. Good place to get murdered for your guns, or shot by idiots who don't know any range rules (local outdoor range here in Brownwood for example). There are happy mediums. You just have to look around and find your comfort level. I am extremely safety conscious when it comes to gun handling and prefer not to be around those who are not.

Thanks for this. Didn't know some "just have a key" as I sure wouldn't want to go to those either.

It's nice to have friends with land for shooting but I'd like to have a good public range nearby, and I do not...

I am a member of a private club range that is "just have a key" controlled. We have never had a problem beyond vandalism (people shooting at signs) and since coming under a new set of officers around 2003 we have curtailed that. There is a lot of pride in membership, we are limited to 250 members and the ability to join is difficult and breaking rules is dealt with quickly.

As far as getting murdered for your guns... um, you're at a gun range, that would be like robbing a gun store. I would think it would be one of the lest likely places to be murdered. I've said it before and will say it again, you meet the nicest people at a gun range. Usually I go on my Friday off work and can sit out in the country alone for hours at a time. It's a good way to decompress and sometimes I even shoot.