Dangerous shooters at the range

[mewalke]

When you have 8 people shooting on different lanes? Not so much of a big deal. When the range is packed to capacity with at least two shooters on each of the 16 lanes? It got downright impossible to keep up with. [...]

So when it's busy, the RSO simply can't be everywhere at once.

I completely agree, which is why I'm not naming the range, even though they had about 6-8 ROs at any point for 24 lanes. Impossible to keep up? No, but definitely very hectic and lots of activity to keep up with.

[CEOofEVIL]

Holy cow, wow! I only wish we had 4 RSO's during our busy times. Certainly does seem doable with the ratio you described, but still dicey. As you said, the lack of follow through from the same RO each time contributed to it. Makes me wonder what their protocol is when multiple RO's are on the line at once.

[texanjoker]

I try to only take my son to the range on a weekday when less crowded for my safety concerns.

[TrueFlog]

I was out at Elm Fork awhile back and observed a similar situation. We were on the 25-yard pistol bay, and an older gentleman walked up. All the benches were full, so he stood patiently and waited for an opening. The only problem was, he didn't have a range bag of any sort - just a pistol in one hand and a box of ammo in the other. And the slide was forward on the pistol! One of the RO's quickly came over and spoke to him. They made him lock the slide back and set it on the bench while he waited. Let's just say he didn't care too much for these young kids telling him what to do, but he went along with it. Well, eventually the bench next to me opened up, and he took it. While loading his pistol, he turned it to the side which caused it to be pointed right at me. Again, the RO's approached him and chastised him. Not long after, he did it a second time. I stepped back from the line, called for the RO, and motioned toward the gentleman. The RO spoke to him again, and this time the man left in a huff. He was muttering angrily under his breath about the RO's being overbearing. I don't know if the RO kicked him out or if he just got fed up and left on his own - either way, I say good riddance.

[olafpfj]

I avoid any range on the weekends.

When I was living in the bay area of California I had a guy come off the line, sit next to me on the park bench, turn his pistol right at me and start to "clear" it. The icy stare of death coupled with my "just !#@$#$@$#@ do you think you're doing" got the point across.

In southern California I watched some asian gang bangers convince the sole girl in the party to shoot what appeared to be a 1911 they had with them. She limp wristed it horribly the first shot, wildly cracked off a second without having control of the gun and then literally threw it at the bench cocked and loaded. It spun once and swept the entire line including themselves!!!! These guys were also completely missing a man sized silhouette target at 5 yards!!!

[gthaustex]

I avoid any range on the weekends.

When I was living in the bay area of California I had a guy come off the line, sit next to me on the park bench, turn his pistol right at me and start to "clear" it. The icy stare of death coupled with my "just !#@$#$@$#@ do you think you're doing" got the point across.

In southern California I watched some asian gang bangers convince the sole girl in the party to shoot what appeared to be a 1911 they had with them. She limp wristed it horribly the first shot, wildly cracked off a second without having control of the gun and then literally threw it at the bench cocked and loaded. It spun once and swept the entire line including themselves!!!! These guys were also completely missing a man sized silhouette target at 5 yards!!!

Which is one reason why so many innocents get hurt or killed during drive by shootings or other gang style actions. They can't hit what they are aiming at....

I have seen many of the same behaviors myself and intervene whenever. I have zero tolerance for safety violations that can kill.

[MadMonkey]

I'm one of those unsafe guys.... I got yelled at by an RO for firing too fast (nevermind I was still firing less than one round per second, which is what he said the rule was, and all the rounds were impacting the little gong at 250yds).

Oh well

Safety is a big issue with me... the problem is that NOBODY wants to be told that they're doing something wrong. I've even had family members get huffy when I've pushed a weapon back downrange when they start drifting to the side, and they all WANT to learn. It's exponentially worse when you're dealing with a knowitall who thinks he's BTDT.

[OldCurlyWolf]

I'm one of those unsafe guys.... I got yelled at by an RO for firing too fast (nevermind I was still firing less than one round per second, which is what he said the rule was, and all the rounds were impacting the little gong at 250yds).

Oh well

Safety is a big issue with me... the problem is that NOBODY wants to be told that they're doing something wrong. I've even had family members get huffy when I've pushed a weapon back downrange when they start drifting to the side, and they all WANT to learn. It's exponentially worse when you're dealing with a knowitall who thinks he's BTDT.

You push my muzzle down range because I drift too close to sweeping you and what you are likely to hear is a rather vehement "OH ****", followed by a sincere apology. I haven't done such a mistake in recent history and really don't want to repeat a long ago mistake.

[jmain]

I have left more ranges after ten minutes of observation than I can count.

I don't hold it against the ranges, I hold it against the shooters. Ranges can't afford 2-3 rso per shooter, if they can I haven't seen any excersize their payroll to support such.

Going during peak times equals a waste of my patience in regards to safety.

I guess that is why I hired a Dozer...

[K.Mooneyham]

Some time ago, I went to a range I don't normally visit as its a bit of a drive from me. But an old AF buddy was in town, and brought a friend of his with him. His friend was USAF Security Forces (law enforcement) until he retired very recently. Anyway, during a ceasefire, as I'm walking back up the lane from posting a new target, I see some dude pick an AR up off the bench and start pointing it downrange at me...I ducked and weaved kind of rapidly. My friend's friend IMMEDIATELY let the dude with the AR know that he messed up...and the dude put it down rather quickly and apologized...still, its amazing to me that folks just don't get basic rules, such as not handling weapons when folks are downrange.

[JustMe]

I have been known to say something!! The range I go to(other than my own) doesn't have RO's on the line--just the guys behind the counter watching through glass. By the time they could get there, it could be too late!

[krieghoff]

The last CHL renewal I went to had one character that just could not get his act together. The instructor finally told him (third time) to keep the gun pointed down range and do not wave it around or he was going to escort him OUT. Now his tone of voice came through real clear for all to hear and I was wearing ear plugs and had ear muffs on as well. I think the yo-yo finally heard and knew the instructor meant business. In any case, he didn't pass the shooting test! Everybody there was glad to see that cat leave.
Makes me feel blessed that I have my own range.

[Dragonfighter]

The girls and I all went to Targetmaster and it was my eldest girl's turn. I gave her what I thought were the best muff and we went in. There was a yahoo in the next stall had a Model 500 and decided to step back from the divider to shoot while we were briefing. The blast caused my daughter to scream from the pain and her ear actually bled.

I jumped in the middle of this guy and then reported him to the management which had him removed but damage done. Any sharp noise on her right causes pain and IF I can get her to a range, it is small caliber and outside. The term I would use for this tool would definitely get me censored.

[Cedar Park Dad]

The last CHL renewal I went to had one character that just could not get his act together. The instructor finally told him (third time) to keep the gun pointed down range and do not wave it around or he was going to escort him OUT. Now his tone of voice came through real clear for all to hear and I was wearing ear plugs and had ear muffs on as well. I think the yo-yo finally heard and knew the instructor meant business. In any case, he didn't pass the shooting test! Everybody there was glad to see that cat leave.
Makes me feel blessed that I have my own range.

Wait you mean to tell me there's actually a case of someone failing the shooting test (and not having an intervening event like a stroke or a plane landing on them in the middle of the test)?

[bdickens]

The last CHL renewal I went to had one character that just could not get his act together. The instructor finally told him (third time) to keep the gun pointed down range and do not wave it around or he was going to escort him OUT. Now his tone of voice came through real clear for all to hear and I was wearing ear plugs and had ear muffs on as well. I think the yo-yo finally heard and knew the instructor meant business. In any case, he didn't pass the shooting test! Everybody there was glad to see that cat leave.
Makes me feel blessed that I have my own range.

Good Lord! How can someone fail the shooting test?