[taliv]

didn't see this posted elsewhere:

http://www.local6.com/news/10962467/detail.html

OVIEDO, Fla. -- Two people were robbed in their driveway at gunpoint in Oviedo Sunday afternoon after police said they were targeted while leaving a gun range.

The robbery happened about 4:30 p.m. in the driveway of a house in the Kingsbridge West neighborhood, police said.

The unidentified victims were approached by four black males, who were described as being in their late teens, after returning home from the Central Florida Gun Range, according to police.

The assailants forced the victims to the ground and stole several items from them, including two semiautomatic handguns from the trunk of their car, police said.

Police said security video from the gun range shows who they believe are the culprits involved in the robbery.

Police said the assailants were driving a dark green, four-door, mid-90s model Honda Accord with a temporary tag attached to the rear of the vehicle. The windows of the vehicle are darkly tinted.

The victims were not injured.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call CrimeLine 800-423-TIPS.

[History Prof]

I've heard about stuff like this. Even in my little town, I now watch my 6 when I leave the range and go odd directions on my way home. [/paranoia]

[SaMx]

It's in Fl., you'd think there would be a greater chance that a person leaving a gun range would have a CCW.

[fattsgalore]

I live up the street.(literally) and this is the first i heard. Thanks.

But it's no different from when two guys got robbed at gun point for there
PS3.(also up the street) If you want to be paranoid or racist; go ahead.
I know the world is just full of bastards and it doesn't matter about skin color or age.
They got guns, I got guns. Hell we all got guns!

God Bless America
Good luck!

[taliv]

i have no idea what racism has to do with this. the obvious and only point here is to behave when entering/leaving the range much like you behave when leaving an ATM machine.

[george29]

I guess these guys broke the stereotype, they're not afraid to go after the strong and armed. Changes the way we think, or at least it should. When you live in a state where guns are not outlawed or restricted ( Illinois + ? ) then one had best prepare to deal with multiple armed perps. For me this means many things, one of which is carrying a BUG + LaR (Last Resort...did I coin a new phrase?) a LaR would be the NAA, BUG & Primary in my case are interchangeable but leaving the house for drives not going to work or school would definitely mean all three, school and work days I usually take primary + LaR.
Situational awarness is the biggest. I had a very strange non-incident last week at the buffet, I caught one of the 4 gangster type staring at the charter bulge in my front jeans pocket, it was definitely printing and he knew what it was, and because I am also 'aware' knew that I had been 'made'. Cutting to the chase, the buffet is in a mall, and instead of heading straight for the car after the meal, I sauntered into the mall and confirmed that I was being stalked (I won't advertise their mistake so as to not help train no-good lurkers), after making a feint retreat which disorganized them I made a maneuver to the car on the far side of the lot, using angles as cover so that I would stay 'lost'.
I learned two things from this, staying aware is of the utmost importance and that being armed doesn't mean that the possible confrontation will be a one on one scenerio or that one displays the CCW and the perps run away, in NM, all these guys are armed, I notice their guns even in the baggy crap they wear. So just having a CCW or even being proficient with it does not take the place of dealing with the situation whilst it is still a non-incident, a little food for thought.

[ilove45acp]

you know what we should do...

get 10 guys together. send 2 to the range with *nice* guns, and have the other 8 wait at home with AKs and ARs in their hands. then, have the 2 from the range flash their guns as much as they can (to lure the bastards), and finally drive home... muchahahahaha ambush!

i bet you those pricks would be suprised to find themselfs surounded by 10 guys armed with AKs/ARs:evil:

what say you?

[History Prof]

If you want to be paranoidWell, if this comment was in response to my post, the "[/paranioa]" thing was a facetious comment. As George29 points out, it is called situational awareness, and is something EVERY gun owner should practice in EVERY situation where they are armed (or not).

or racist
Huh? Where does this come in? I'll assume that this one *wasn't* in response to my post. :shrug:

[ZeSpectre]

Not too long ago I had one of those "brain skips" we all get once in a while.

I went to the range (nice indoor place in a not so nice urban location) with a friend and we had our usual good time, cleaned up, and left. As we were walking across the parking lot there were four "homeboy" types slouching along the sidewalk and posturing for the two girls that were present.

Now they weren't paying the least bit of attention to us so there was no issue, but it suddenly occurred to me that I had emptied my carry gun at the range and I HAD NEVER RELOADED THE MAGAZINE! <huge smack on the forehead>

I've been quite a bit more careful about that since.

[Mike128]

Actually, it's not a bad idea on the criminals part. Think about it. Most people only leave the range when they are out of ammo. Even then the ammo is in a seperate bag than the guns. (Law in Md) Guns present but unusable due to no ammo. Victims are off their home territory, in an area where it is not unusual to see people walking around with guns, moving into an ambush. Yes situational awarness would have helped the victims but still not a bad idea on the criminal part.

[FieroCDSP]

What's the law on Vigilante Ambushes in Florida? Do you think the Cops would care enough to press charges, or would they rather have these gun theives off the streets? "Officer, we were just having a get together at our friends' house here. They were late from the range, so we let ourselves in and were checking out each other's guns, when they pulled in, and those creeps jumped out of their car and ...." You get the point.

[ilove45acp]

What's the law on Vigilante Ambushes in Florida? Do you think the Cops would care enough to press charges, or would they rather have these gun theives off the streets? "Officer, we were just having a get together at our friends' house here. They were late from the range, so we let ourselves in and were checking out each other's guns, when they pulled in, and those creeps jumped out of their car and ...." You get the point.

Well,
Do you REALLY think any jurry would find you guilty? Or would any prosecutor decide to press charges? Think about it, it was you and your friends (not criminals), on private proterty, trying to do something about a very serious crime problem. How many times in the past have people held up BGs at gun point until police arrived? I see nothing wrong with being armed at home, do you? And about the ambush part, police do that every day, and so do private citizens (seen that show on TV where a guy lures sexual predators on the net, invites them to some home, and police catch them). I really think you would be in the clean, if you managed to catch the BGs. Police should give you a medal for outstanding citizen arrest.

Well?

[Jorg]

Earlier post about this fiound here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=253218).

Do you REALLY think any jurry would find you guilty? Or would any prosecutor decide to press charges?

Yes, yes they would.

You're new here, you probably should go up and read the post about what taking the high road means.

[ilove45acp]

Jorg,
Guilty of what?
Catching a criminal while he/she commited an agrevated assault with a deadly weapon??? Silly, under FL law you can shoot at that point:cuss:

[oceansands]

Where's the darn quote button on here?

Ahhh well. All I know is, I never ever ever ever evvvvver leave the range with an empty gun!

Most indoor ranges have windows for people to watch the other people at the firing line. One day, three black guys show up at the window, and are pointing at my guns. Now mind you, at this range I have only ever seen one other black dude.<---- (My friend Dan) I had my guns sitting out, getting ready to put them away. Do you ever watch someone out of the corner of your eye, enough so that they don't know they are being watched. I was watching them, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Usally I walk back to the line and load my carry piece (G36) and then holster it. This time I loaded it right in front of them, then put it in my holster. I looked up right at them and smiled. Through the glass I read the lips of the closest say "F.... this" , and they made a hasty re-treat, right out the door.
When I went to pay I talked to the owner about it, and he said that those guys had been in three other times that day, each time going right to the viewing windows.

So I say all that to make this point....

When I leave the range I make sure that every jack-knob at the firing line and at the window see's my holstered gun. My carry gun is always the last one I shoot. I shoot it last in case I blow through all my ammo I still have my carry gun loaded. After shooting it, I load it back up and keep it exposed all the way to my truck.

[Walkalong]

When I go home from the range everything is unloaded EXCEPT my XD SC which is ready as always. Too many go home unaware of what is going on around them and with unloaded guns, often out of ammo as well. :eek:

[Eleven Mike]

oceansands, maybe I'm a Pollyana, but could it be those guys had no bad intentions? Perhaps they were jobless kids with no shooting cash, and just wanted to watch the action. Then they thought you were letting them know they were unwelcome due to their race or income, or what-have-you.

But, you were there and I was not. I don't blame you for being concerned, and I might have done the same thing.

[Pilgrim]

What's the law on Vigilante Ambushes in Florida? Do you think the Cops would care enough to press charges, or would they rather have these gun theives off the streets? "Officer, we were just having a get together at our friends' house here. They were late from the range, so we let ourselves in and were checking out each other's guns, when they pulled in, and those creeps jumped out of their car and ...." You get the point.
Your problem would be sticking to your story. Invariably one member in the operation gets nervous and spills his guts.

Pilgrim

[Dave88LX]

Unfortunately it seems in Maryland you're SOL leaving the range, no protection?

[Andras]

Correct, no loaded guns in MD (off your own property/business, and very few people get carry permits.)

[Heavy Metal Hero]

Guilty of what?
Catching a criminal while he/she commited an agrevated assault with a deadly weapon??? Silly, under FL law you can shoot at that point

I suggest you realize that things in real life aren't like they are on TV, before you post something this asinine again. You aren't a cop, nor are you Jack Bauer.

[51Cards]

Oddly, this seems to be about the only (part of something) they got right around here. You can carry to and from the range. (Hence the proliferation of "24-hour" ranges.)

As long as I've been shooting, everyone I've known makes it a point to hold back enough ammo for at least a full load for at least one carry gun.

Often, the primary carry isn't even fired at the range. Now, wouldn't that one be a surprise? Still holstered, still chambered. Still there.

Not even just a question of protection of investment. Anyone who takes it to mind to assault you for the purpose of stealing weapons is probably entitled to a free demo and function-test. :evil:

[Steve N]

QUOTE ...Do you REALLY think any jurry would find you guilty? Or would any prosecutor decide to press charges? ...QUOTE

Hell yes, they would. Two US Border Patrol agents are serving 11-12 years each for shooting an admitted Mexican drug smuggler, then not filling out the proper paperwork. The $#&^% prosecutor even cut a deal for full immunity with the smuggler to testify against the agents.

In Lorain County, Ohio, a man and women, who NEVER met each other, were convicted and sentenced to long terms in prison for molesting Head Start school children, in an investigation started by a drug-addict mother.

The prosecutor, when asked, said that his job is not to find the truth, but to get convictions. Bush made him a federal prosecutor as a reward for good work.

Google lorain ohio head start molestation bus driver to get more details.

[rhubarb]

Before I leave the range, I always swab out the chamber of my carry pistol and reload. If I'm not at the range or cleaning it at home, I'm never without it and it's never unloaded. Never.

But surrounded by four armed assailants . . . that would suck even if I had my AR at hand. Best you could hope for is to shoot one or two and the others run away.

I hope this is given top priority by the police.

[uriel]

Good morning gentlemen. I'm a new member who's been lurking for a while and decided to join in. This post is a fascinating one for me, and I am looking for a website or two which covers this issue in greater depth. Here in NM when I have been to the range I always have a loaded magazine back in the gun as I step out of the door, and my spare has always been in the console.

But I must confess since I've been indoors shooting with colleagues, I haven't been as attentive to who's watching and/or following once I head out for home. Guess I have been lucky so far. But it's time to "unlearn" some bad habits, revisit basics, and pay attention.

[Eleven Mike]

Hi, Uriel, glad to have you.


Ha, ha, I welcomed the new guy first. :neener:

[Vern Humphrey]

1. Have a permit.
2. Always carry.
3. Practice being in Condition Yellow.
4. Remember returning home is a danger point -- walking in on a burglary in progress is about the most dangerous situation you can put yourself in.
5. Remeber what Kipling said, "When the field before you is clear, and you know you are sure to win, look to your flanks and rear. That's where surprises begin."

[LaVere]

I never even thought about leaving a gun range with a empty gun. For that matter, I CCW at the range and shoot another. I don't know why. I don't think "THEY" are out to get me. It is just what I always have done.

[Vonderek]

All the ranges I go to here in South Florida forbid loaded guns and loaded magazines in the lobby/store area so in affect you are defenseless going to and from your car. As it happens, a lot of the ranges are also in questionable neighborhoods. So the question arises, do you ignore the signs and carry concealed and run the risk of being barred from the range if discovered or do you take your chances among the wolves.

[oceansands]

Quote by Eleven Mike:
oceansands, maybe I'm a Pollyana, but could it be those guys had no bad intentions? Perhaps they were jobless kids with no shooting cash, and just wanted to watch the action. Then they thought you were letting them know they were unwelcome due to their race or income, or what-have-you.

But, you were there and I was not. I don't blame you for being concerned, and I might have done the same thing.


They very well could have been doing nothing more than checking out my gats, I mean guns. That is why after I loaded my carry piece I smiled at them. Not a screw you smile, but just a friendly "hi" smile. If they were anything but up to no good, I would have thought a smile or nod or a laugh would have came from them. I was in no way mallcios toward them. I was concerned, it made me aware of how un-aware I used to be.

Another story:
Yesterday, my wife and I took our cat to the vet. I switched from my CZ P01 to my G36. My wife looks at me and says " Your taking your gun to the Vet?" I said "Its not the Vet I'm worried about. If I was worried about him I wouldn't take the cats there. Its the perps waiting in the parking lots, and the dirt bags that might try to car jack us or even the fools that follow us home. The only worry I have about the vet is how much he is going to charge to pet our cat."

[Eleven Mike]

OK.

[javacodeman]

For me this means many things, one of which is carrying a BUG + LaR (Last Resort...did I coin a new phrase?) a LaR would be the NAA, BUG & Primary in my case are interchangeable but leaving the house for drives not going to work or school would definitely mean all three, school and work days I usually take primary + LaR.

:confused: Ahh,...can someone translate please.

java

edit:
So the question arises, do you ignore the signs and carry concealed and run the risk of being barred from the range if discovered or do you take your chances among the wolves.

For me, yes. The indoor range I go to has these signs about no loaded weapons in the lobby, but they do not have the "No CCW sign posted." So I figure the owner knows this, and I CCW to and from the range line with it loaded. I've never had any issues with them, but I behave responsibly, police my brass, etc., etc.

[Eleven Mike]

For me this means many things, one of which is carrying a BUG + LaR (Last Resort...did I coin a new phrase?) a LaR would be the NAA, BUG & Primary in my case are interchangeable but leaving the house for drives not going to work or school would definitely mean all three, school and work days I usually take primary + LaR.

Ahh,...can someone translate please.

For me, this story reminds me to carry a back-up gun and Last Resort gun (back-up back-up gun). I call it a LaR. Is that a new phrase? Anyway, the LaR would be my gun from North American Arms.

I have two good-sized guns I can use as primary or back-up. When going to school (I'm still learning to write :neener: ) or work, I only take my primary and my LaR. When I go anywhere else, I take them all.

[uriel]

Hey Eleven Mike. I just had a picture pop into my mind (the empty part) as I was reading your post. I wonder if Neolithic man had small clubs inside his tunic as he went about from cave to cave. You know, a Commander sized club and a baby Freedom Arms club tucked in his, uh, favorite secluded spot...

[taliv]

As long as I've been shooting, everyone I've known makes it a point to hold back enough ammo for at least a full load for at least one carry gun.


yeah, i've done this ever since i saw that movie... uhh... silverado? one of those westerns where the guy goes out to practice then gets his butt kicked :)

[hceptj]

Good post...makes me think...:)

I'm like a few others here, a little paranoid, so I carry (90% of the time I have 2 on me) at the range concealed and shoot something different. If I'm going to shoot one of my guns I usually carry, I just swap out and have 2 different guns on me that day.

I shoot at the same place most of the time and its off the beaten path. The guys that work there are good about keeping an eye open around the place. I've seen them go out to the parking lot to a car that someone is sitting in and question them, so I feel pretty good about the place.

I do wonder about the FL ranges not letting people carry loaded CCW's though...is it certain ranges or a state law? Is FL like TX and the sign has to be a certain way for it to be legal and is the sign legal they have up? I wouldn't go to a range that tried to ban CCW's...no way no how...:scrutiny:

[Nekron]

Quote:
As long as I've been shooting, everyone I've known makes it a point to hold back enough ammo for at least a full load for at least one carry gun.


yeah, i've done this ever since i saw that movie... uhh... silverado? one of those westerns where the guy goes out to practice then gets his butt kicked

You're not the only one who was greatly influenced by that scene! ;) :D

The bad guys were waiting just around the corner and counting the good guy's rounds as he practiced. When they were sure he was empty one of them came around the bend and said, "You're empty, Mister!". Then things went real bad for the good guy. :(

[george29]

Thanks EMike, good to see that someone else speaka da language.

[MechAg94]

I find it hard to believe he didn't notice that a car was following him and making all the same turns. I think I would notice something like that, but maybe that is just me. At home, I pull right into the garage anyway.

My range is private. Someone would have to stand around in plain site to pick out people. Someone has to let them in the gate also. Following me down the road and highway would be easy to spot. I used to shoot at a public range, but same issue. It would be tough for someone to follow me home without me noticing.

Either way, I agree. Hold back enough ammo to defend yourself.

As for carrying, if they don't allow loaded guns in the lobby, don't pull out your carry piece.

[Vern Humphrey]

I find it hard to believe he didn't notice that a car was following him and making all the same turns. I think I would notice something like that, but maybe that is just me. At home, I pull right into the garage anyway.

Guns are not magic. They will not compensate for going around with one's head up one's exhaust pipe.

[davhina]

you know what we should do...

get 10 guys together. send 2 to the range with *nice* guns, and have the other 8 wait at home with AKs and ARs in their hands. then, have the 2 from the range flash their guns as much as they can (to lure the bastards), and finally drive home... muchahahahaha ambush!

i bet you those pricks would be suprised to find themselfs surounded by 10 guys armed with AKs/ARs

what say you?

Sounds like jail time to me, laying(lure?:banghead: ) in wait, looking for trouble, etc. We(gun owners, ccw permit holders) are not supposed to look for or create circumstances, where we will have to draw our weapons. Go looking for trouble, you just might find it, and more than likely end up in jail/prison with your guns gone forever. Think long and hard about that statement.please.

Best to be aware, when away from home, of those around you, always.

[ravencon]

My policy is that my CCW doesn't get fired on a trip to the range. On range days my CCW has one purpose--personal protection. Obviously, different guns get to be my CCW depending on what I want to shoot on any given range trip.

With this policy there is never any chance my CCW is not in a state of readiness--even when I'm at the range. I think of it as preparedness rather than paranoia.

[davhina]

you know what we should do...

get 10 guys together. send 2 to the range with *nice* guns, and have the other 8 wait at home with AKs and ARs in their hands. then, have the 2 from the range flash their guns as much as they can (to lure the bastards), and finally drive home... muchahahahaha ambush!

i bet you those pricks would be suprised to find themselfs surounded by 10 guys armed with AKs/ARs

what say you?

That entire statement, would have the Sarah Bradys of the world, standing up, cheering, and saying "see what wackos those gun nuts are".:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :cuss:
But that is just my humble opinion. I digress.:rolleyes:

[Buzztail]

As long as I've been shooting, everyone I've known makes it a point to hold back enough ammo for at least a full load for at least one carry gun.

Yep, me too. At times it has been my SRH in .480:eek: I think I'll start a topic like "what .480 Ruger loads for CCW" :D

[tinygnat219]

Not too long ago I had one of those "brain skips" we all get once in a while.

I went to the range (nice indoor place in a not so nice urban location) with a friend and we had our usual good time, cleaned up, and left. As we were walking across the parking lot there were four "homeboy" types slouching along the sidewalk and posturing for the two girls that were present.

Now they weren't paying the least bit of attention to us so there was no issue, but it suddenly occurred to me that I had emptied my carry gun at the range and I HAD NEVER RELOADED THE MAGAZINE! <huge smack on the forehead>

I've been quite a bit more careful about that since.

Zespectre,

Since I think I was with you that evening (I think), if it helps, I was aware and my Concealed Handgun had been reloaded. Don't worry man, I remember my buddies
fo' shizzle my griddle.

[Working Man]

Now they weren't paying the least bit of attention to us so there was no issue, but it suddenly occurred to me that I had emptied my carry gun at the range and I HAD NEVER RELOADED THE MAGAZINE! <huge smack on the forehead>

It happens..... I almost did that myself once. On the final magazine I realized
what I was doing and stopped with 2 rounds left. I had no more ammo with me.

Now I always leave a loaded magazine in the car just incase. :uhoh:

My policy is that my CCW doesn't get fired on a trip to the range. On range days my CCW has one purpose--personal protection. Obviously, different guns get to be my CCW depending on what I want to shoot on any given range trip.

Thats a good idea. I think I will adopt that policy.

[RVSinOK]

That entire statement, would have the Sarah Bradys of the world, standing up, cheering, and saying "see what wackos those gun nuts are".

AMEN, davhina! Sounds like a stereotypically "redneck gun nut" response to me!

:cuss:

[Tom Servo]

I used to work for a place where I was responsible for taking the previous day's deposits to the bank in the morning. I follow the same rules when going to/from the range:

Be armed and have it accessible
Vary your route
Keep your eyes open
Be ready and able to bolt at the sign of trouble

Most of my guns are worth >$500, and I usually bring more than one to the range. That's worth just as much (if not more) to a criminal than whatever might be in a bank bag.

If I'm shooting my carry weapon (and I usually am), then I make sure to bring an extra, clean magazine. After shooting, I run a bore-snake down the barrel, wipe down and reload before leaving the building. I park as close to the building as possible and keep my eyes open as I walk to my car.

And this is in a "good" neighborhood.

Bear in mind, guns are worth more than money to the criminal element. Also, think of how it'd feel to know that a gun of yours may be out there, being utilised for crime. No thanks.

[Don Lu]

Deleted by Don Lu

[xsquidgator]

I live in the same metro area where this robbery occurred (it happened again a few days later, same MO but they followed the victim from the SAME RANGE as the other guy, only they went at least 20+ miles away).

Most of the indoor ranges here are in bad to not so good neighborhoods. Heck, even the range that was the starting point for both of these armed robberies is in a better area than the places I used to go shoot. THe way I figure, "concealed means concealed" no matter what signs the range may have up. Concealed means my CWP piece stays undercover and I don't ask if it's ok and it stays low key in case it's needed. Yesterday leaving my private club range (outdoors) with all this hoo-la going on, I made sure the 12 gauge I was practicing with had shells in the tube mag also (chamber clear) and that I could grab it behind my seat if needed. It's a shame that things have come to this but that's just the way it is. It'd really be a waste to be coming home with all this potential defensive weaponry and have it taken from you at gunpoint because you unloaded everything and stuck it in the trunk.

[Duckster]

I have never gone to a range and expended all my ammo. I always have some left, just in case. I learned this in the Infantry, The mission ain't over until you make back home.

[k_dawg]

In Florida, there is no legal standing for signs preventing concealed carry. If discovered, they can ask you to leave ( or disarm ). THEN if you do not, they can call the police and have you arrested on tresspassing.

That said, the range I go to in the Orlando area, check the firearms when you get in, and often watch you set up. So if you carry it in concealed, and pull it out to shoot, you might get banned.

So, I unchamber the round and keep the magazine handy in my pocket while going in. When leaving I do the same, and the first thing I do in my car is load and chamber a round.

In any event, in Florida, just about anyone who can lawfully own a firearm can also have a permit. This is a perfect example of WHY you need to be carrying at all times. :cuss:

[CDignition]

This happened in Florida...4 guys come at you in a threatening manner, attempting a felony on you, Drill em...there is no thought needed, If you wait, you lose.

I don't understand the quotes in the previous threads implying you would go to the can for lawfully defending yourself...It wont happen, especially when it can be seen they planned the crime all the way from the shooting range to their home...easy homerun there.

[ArchAngelCD]

I didn't real all the posts but from the posted article it seems the guys that got robbed weren't armed and the guns were taken from their car trunk. Why the hell weren't they armed? You always have to protect yourself and your guns when leaving a range, especially an outdoor range.

[Ala Dan]

When attending a session at the gun range, when done and returing to my
residence I always pay attention to detail (the unexpected, if you will), and
I always have a few surprises for anyone who wants too try me~!:scrutiny: ;)

[Wes Janson]

All the ranges I go to here in South Florida forbid loaded guns and loaded magazines in the lobby/store area so in affect you are defenseless going to and from your car.

That reminds me of when I took my range officer safety course. Towards the end we were discussing various miscellaneous tidbits, and the subject of concealed carry came up. So I asked what to say/do about someone carrying concealed on the line. The response was something like "Well, if it's concealed, then it's concealed. So long as it stays that way, don't worry about it." Followed by a look that said "Why would you ask something like that?"

Personally, these incidents bother me quite a bit, having been a customer and patron of that store in the past, and well aware of my own legally unarmed status. It definitely hits close to home to realize how similar of a situation I've been in.

[taliv]

you know, it occurs to me that all of you who live down there should call the ranges and explain how this is turning into a trend and that they should change their policy. explain they may have some legal liability for disarming the guy (whether or not that's bs) and that maybe they should go so far as to hang a sign up or something encouraging awareness.

i mean, you should use these two incidents as an opportunity

[tank mechanic]

Every time I go to the range and fire my carry gun, I always leave a loaded mag in my back pocket. So that way i am always ready to go. You should never be black on ammo.

[Stevie-Ray]

Think about it. Most people only leave the range when they are out of ammo.Whenever I go to the range, I rotate my carry ammo, but I always retain at least enough 230gr HydraShoks to fill one magazine for the trip home. Yes the gun is dirty, but I won't leave there unarmed. At home it is unloaded, cleaned, and reloaded, post haste.

I'm never unarmed, leaving the range.

[ArchAngelCD]

Think about it. Most people only leave the range when they are out of ammo.
I'm new to shooting, only a little over a year now and I have NEVER left a range without my carry loaded and at least 1 reload available to me. Sorry man, there is no way I will leave myself at the mercy of a low-life. As a matter of fact, if things don't look right at the range or there are people hanging around that don't look right to me my carry isn't even taken out to shoot. I won't let a possible BG see that I have a concealed carry on me.

[gunsmith]

Think about it. Most people only leave the range when they are out of ammo.

They do? Are they insane?

I have never ever done that, what I do is make sure I unload my self defense ammo & load it back up b4 leaving.

[romma]

Time to start carrying an AR-15 to and from the range with a loaded mag really really handy... :uhoh:

[James T Thomas]

I was at the range yesterday, and noticed an inordinate amount of attention being given to me and my brother as we shot, by another shooter only a few targets away from us. This guy seemed overly interested in our hardware and what we had in our bags. So much so that he would stop his shooting and watch us, though we were just a couple of ordinary shooters like all the rest there.

Then there was another on looker who stationed himself behind the shooting benches to observe. He wasn't one of the range men as I know them to see them. I thought he may be one of the brass mongers that come around.

But you never know.

I understand that during the French Revolution when public beheadings were going on for "crimes" against the Republic that even though the death penalty was being administered by gillotine right there; that pick pockets were in the watching crouds, working, taking the risk of being caught.

That's the mentality of theives! Their work requires boldness, and they are convinced (arrogance) that they will not be caught. So they take their chances whether it's risking loosing their heads or ending up on the wrong side of a gun barrel while robbing someone armed. Amazing.

[gunsmith]

Time to start carrying an AR-15 to and from the range with a loaded mag really really handy

that would be hard to deploy.

Just be aware and have a deployable weapon when leaving a shooting range, no need to overreact.

[gunsmith]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=253218

[Landor]

I had an experience one time at the range. I was on my way back to my car that was parked on the side of the building carrying my range bag. There was a car parked in front of me. As soon as I got to my car 2 guys get out of the car in front of me. The were parked really close to my car and the car behind me was a bit close also but there was enough room to get out. I locked my door as soon as it shut and started my car and put it in gear as fast as possible. One guy on my right kept staring at me while he opened the trunk and got in my way of leaving by putting his body in the way of my pulling out. The other was on the left just staring at me. I made eye contact with both of them. I backed up my car a bit to let them know it was in gear and proceeded to put my hand on my 45 that was on my hip. The guy on the right saw my movement and said something to the other guy but I could not hear. At this time a big truck turned the corner to make a delivery at the building across the street that I was parked on. The guys got back in their car and drove away and I got the hell out of there going the opposite direction.

Now I am not a paranoid person and I really do not know to this day if this was what I think it was or something else. I am describing it how I remember it. I had a feeling, kind of like that feeling you get when you know something bad is going to happen. I was a bit shaken up after it was over and the whole thing took about maybe 50 seconds to a minute.

I will not be parking on that side of the range for a while alone and I called them to let them know they should get a camera on that side of the building. Either way, it got me thinking and I made a lot of turns on my way home..

[1BLINDREF]

The best weapon you have is on top of your shoulders. If you're not aware of whats going on around you, you're asking to be a victim.

I always ccw at my range. If I want to shot the ccw that I have with me when I'm there, I take a range mag and use it, leaving my carry mags with the carry ammo in my pocket for when I'm finished. I always have a ccw when I'm on the line. You never know what nut-job might show up while you are there. IMHO - I don't think thats being paranoid, just prepared. :D

[Quaamik]

When I shoot my carry gun, I almost always remove the magazine and chambered round of carry ammo, then load practice ammo. When I'm done, I reload.

The only time it's different is when I'm cycling through carry ammo. Then I buy a fresh box on the way in, set aside enough ammo to reload, then shoot what I carried in and the"spare" ammo from what I bought.

[stogiegila]

Up until reading this thread I have always gone to the range, used up all my ammo and then packed up my guns and walked to my car unarmed. :what:

Since reading this, I know bring my guns, fully loaded with HD rounds to the range (although I still usually don't carry going in). However, when I'm finished shooting my practice ammo, I reload my HD rounds and then pack one gun and carry the other. I'm also much more attentive while going to my car.

For some dumb reason, I always felt that the gun range would be the safest place to be :banghead:

Now, I know better. Thanks :o

[cavman]

I don't know whether it was a coincidence or not, but the Monday morning after I came back from one if my rare Sunday trips to the range two weeks ago, the door was kicked in and whilst at work and my pistols in my carrying case as well as my range bag (ammo, binos etc) were carted off. (While there, they found laptops, cameras, fire-proof box of papers (passport, birth cert. $$ etc.)

So, maybe someone saw me....or maybe merely punk opportunists

cavman