Can you carry at your favorite range???

[txinvestigator]

So these people think that you will shoot someone if you take out your carry gun on the line, but you won't shoot someone with one your remove from the bag and load at the line?

Yes. I'm not nearly as nervous about somebody fumbling with a gun pointed downrange, as one that somebody's trying to tug out of a cheap, ill-fitting SoB, cross-draw, or horizontal shoulder holster.

Certainly the holes in the walls and ceilings of any indoor range attest to the number of NDs that happen on the line, but those are more acceptable to me, from a safety standpoint, than letting anybody who walks in regularly sweep the entire range with a loaded gun as they try to draw it.

I have seen MANY people do that when pulling their gun out of thier range bag/case too. People also sweep others as they load magazines in the guns, check thier grip, etc.

[Tim the Teacher]

I didn't think the Bullet Trap allowed any loaded weapons in the store...whether it was a carry or one being used on the range.

[nitrogen]

I didn't think the Bullet Trap allowed any loaded weapons in the store...whether it was a carry or one being used on the range.

They do if you're a CHL.
I've specifically asked, as have others here. Their sign is meant for people to make sure their guns in their cases are unloaded. "But if people feel the need to unload their carry weapon after reading it, we don't mind. If you're a CHL, especially if you took our class, we don't mind you going up loaded, just don't draw from a holster."

I've had some of the range officers there eyeball me a bit more closely when I unholster, and some will ask me about my carry weapon, but as long as you're safe, they don't mind.

[308nato]

Sportsmans in Humble before they burned down had a sign at the
front door said All guns to be unloaded before entering except
for CHLs and Law enforcement officers.
I hope they rebuild ,was a nice place to shoot just a long way to go
for me.
now I go to Shiloe as it closer and a good place to shoot or just
shoot the Bull.

[ELB]

Gun stores, ranges, pawnshops, and gunshows that ban CHL carry, and people who have CHLs but want to ban other people (like plumbers and such) from carrying in their home (referencing another thread on this site) provide terrific validation of the argument that allowing concealed carry is a too dangerous to public safety and should not be allowed. If the very people who are "in the business" support CHL carry in theory but refuse to support it in practice, why should those who oppose CHL carry be forced to accept the same, obviously excessive risk (since even the gunnies won't tolerate it), in other public and private spheres?

Carrying guns is not without risk, but the public policy argument for concealed carry is that the benefits far outweigh the risks. I think the stats overwhelmingly support this, but when allegedly gun-friendly places put up 30.06 signs or otherwise forbid CHL carry, they signal that they don't believe this. If I were on the anti-gun side, I would make a list of every one of these places and then hammer the press and the legislature with it at the next session.

I do my best not to patronize such places.

When I do go to a range other than my own, I carry concealed --- period -- and I do not take out my carry gun at the range (unless of course I am threatened with imminent deadly force). Since most ranges do not allow draw from the holster anyway (another flaw with public ranges from the CHL point of view), if I want to shoot my daily carry gun, then I put it in the range bag, and carry a copy in my concealed holster.

I largely solved this issue for myself by buying a big enough piece of land that I have my own private shooting space, where I can practice presentation, combat reloads, etc, so I seldom go to a public range anymore.

I might be persuaded to go to a range, for example that publicly adopted my policy, e.g. if you are carrying concealed, fine, don't unholster it except in "emergencies." But essentially banning CHL carry entirely is not right.

As a contrast -- at John Farnam's courses, you are supposed to have a concealed, loaded handgun on you at all times on the range. You are not to unholster it until in an actual firing exercise. Breaks, lunch, lectures between drills, etc are all done armed. As John notes, one must always treat a gun as if it is loaded, so it might as well be loaded and ready!


elb

[kauboy]

Great responses guys! Thanks alot for the words of advice on what to do.
I don't feel as weird about it now. I don't believe I will be frequenting that range anymore. Pitty too, it was a nice facility.

I guess since the response has been of an accepting nature, I can reveal the name of the range to you.
It was "On Target", located on HWY377 just north of the 1187 intersection in Benbrook. As I have told those who PM'd me about it, if you can overlook what I consider to be a flaw in their management, then I still recommend you visit them. The guys behind the counter can come across as condescending, and that might be uncomfortable, but the range and counter area are quite nice. They have a website: http://www.ontargetfirearms.com

[RKirby]

I guess since the response has been of an accepting nature, I can reveal the name of the range to you.
It was "On Target", located on HWY377 just north of the 1187 intersection in Benbrook.

That's where I took my CHL class, also. I also shoot there occasionally and always carry my daily carry gun when I do. I've never had a problem with the employees or the owner in this regard.

The owner, Jack Wilson, has told me personally that concealed carry is ok on the range as long as it stays concealed. If you intend to shoot your carry gun, then it must be checked by the range officer before you can enter the range. Otherwise it stays in the holster and stays concealed.

When I want to shoot my carry gun I take it to the range in my range bag and carry one of my other guns concealed.

Sounds to me like you encountered a new employee or maybe someone having a bad day. I'd be willing to bet that a phone call to Jack will get things straightened out in a hurry.

[kauboy]

He certainly acted like a new employee. Like he was doing it for the first time, but having to sound intimidating.
Even so, I'd still like to be able to walk to the line, withdraw my carry, unload the hollowpoints, load up some jacketed, perforate a few Osama targets, reload the hollows, reholster, and go home, with no flack.
I will ensure from now on that I call ahead to new ranges and see what their policies are.

[Liberty]

He certainly acted like a new employee. Like he was doing it for the first time, but having to sound intimidating.
Even so, I'd still like to be able to walk to the line, withdraw my carry, unload the hollowpoints, load up some jacketed, perforate a few Osama targets, reload the hollows, reholster, and go home, with no flack.
I will ensure from now on that I call ahead to new ranges and see what their policies are.

My range (TexasCity Municipal) doesn't allow drawing from a holster. Its fine and doesn't apperar to be anyones bussiness if we carry. Of course I want to shoot my carry gun. Before I enter, I remove the Mag. unload the chamber and top of the mag.

I then check in at counter declare the guns I'm shooting that day. Procede to the range, and perforate paper. If I emptied my carry ammo mag, I reload a mag with fresh shiny ammo. stick the mag in pocket. I carry my guns out of the premises. I lock and load as I step of the porch. Holster on the way to car. I guess my point is that I am never unarmed while at the range. I sometimes have an empty gun with full mags at hand. but I'm never really unarmed. Yes I would prefer to be able to draw 9on the range. But sometimes I'm glad that the guy next to me isn't drawing forom a holster.

[Piney]

Greetings--

A range rule such as " No handling of firearms except on the firing line" would seem to clear up the confusion.

This would imply that if you are carrying when you enter, dont fool with it until you get on the firing line.

Seems simple enough, eh ?

[stoneface]

I was wondering if it was On Target you were talking about. I shoot there regularly and have always followed the sign--but then, my carry is my only gun, so it has never been much of an issue, other than I wondered if they meant it to apply to CHL's. The first time I ever went shooting, the guy who took me to On Target carried concealed and shot his carry piece. He just walked in wearing it, took it out and cleared it for Jack, and then went to the line and shot. So, maybe I will ask Jack the next time I am there (hopefully this weekend).

Propellerhead--

I would be interested to know which range you frequent, as you seem to be in the same general area as me.

[GrillKing]

Greetings--

A range rule such as " No handling of firearms except on the firing line" would seem to clear up the confusion.

This would imply that if you are carrying when you enter, dont fool with it until you get on the firing line.

Seems simple enough, eh ?

Simple and effective. Common sense. Unfortunately, so many don't abide by common sense.

[kauboy]

I would be interested to know which range you frequent, as you seem to be in the same general area as me.

I normally go to one near Joshua, down HWY174(Wilshire Blvd.)
Can't recall the name off the top of my head, but it's got a big Yosemite Sam painted on the side of it. I'll get the name and edit this post ASAP.

I've only recently known about On Target. I found their website and got very excited about their facility. The first time I went, I didn't think to ask and just carried my concealed weapon all the way to the line. Jack never checked my case or anything. I removed my carry from its holster at the line, unloaded, and continued as usual. I finished, reloaded, reholstered and exited the range to go pay. I guess he never saw me pull or reholster, or he didn't care at the time. But this time, everything had to be declared and checked. Again, I think it may have been a new guy, but Jack was right there at the other end the whole time, and didn't say anything.

I don't know what to do. I don't have another carry rig yet, so that isn't an option. And I don't want to be disarmed like that. If you happen to bring it up, and get any kind of answer from Jack on the subject, could you please let me know, if even through a PM?


EDIT: The range I normally go to is The Handgun Academy of Burleson.

[Piney]

Greetings--

I'm just curious-- several of you folks are talking about having to declare and clear your carry piece when visiting a range. Does this range have a safe area where one goes in , faces in a safe direction, draws, clears and reholsters ? What is the backstop where one is required to unload ? I'm guessing a counter

All the ranges I frequent and the match locations as well all either provide a safe area (with a safe backstop !) or require that no firearms be handled off the firing line.

Im not trying to beat the old dead horse here , but that sort of requirement still seems quite unsafe to me.

[seamusTX]

I'm just curious-- several of you folks are talking about having to declare and clear your carry piece when visiting a range. Does this range have a safe area where one goes in , faces in a safe direction, draws, clears and reholsters ?

No. Your vehicle.

- Jim