IN: Another shooting range rental suicide

[seamusTX]

Valparaiso, Indiana, yesterday, a man who wanted to "try" a handgun found that it worked exactly as designed.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/249 ... 10.article" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I guess he had a reason. R.I.P.

- Jim

[Ageofease08]

i wonder what kind of insurance policy shooting ranges have to have before the doors can be opened. I just cant imagine something like that going wrong. Anyone remember the lady that killed her son and then herself.

[Keith B]

This type of incident happens more than you know. I personally know of a couple of range suicides that never made the news.

[seamusTX]

I am on the board of a range and have read the insurance policy. Ours is issued by an NRA entity. It's not as bad as you might think.

People kill themselves at ranges several times a year. There doesn't seem to be any civil or criminal liability for the range. What can they do about the action of a suicidal person who seems sane and sober up to the moment he puts the muzzle to his temple and pulls the trigger?

- Jim

[karl]

I guess it makes sense that the insurance wouldn't be too high. These people are otherwise lawfully able to purchase handguns in the first place, what's to insure?

On the other hand, Shiloh range in north Houston doesn't rent out pistols anymore because of this. Apparently they don't have the same insurance that your range has, Jim. Either that or it was an owner's decision.

[baldeagle]

Now see, that right there is why citizens should not be allowed to have firearms.

[seamusTX]

On the other hand, Shiloh range in north Houston doesn't rent out pistols anymore because of this. Apparently they don't have the same insurance that your range has, Jim. Either that or it was an owner's decision.

Just to be clear, my club doesn't rent firearms.

I suppose that each additional activity that a range does adds something to the premiums.

- Jim

[OldCannon]

At a range up in Washington, they took steps to solve the problem by the "Gun or Friend" rule: If you want to rent a gun, you must either have your own gun to begin with or have brought a friend to shoot with. The thinking is that a) if you own a gun, you won't go to the trouble to go to a range, rent another one, and off yourself at the range and b) if you bring a friend, you're not likely do it in front of them.