Rude guy at the range....third time.

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Jaybird78

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Peoples Republik of Illinois
Went to the range today with my B-I-L and his son. We were shooting a little bit of both shotgun and rimfire rifles when we decided to move to the 200yrd range.

The 200 yrd range just had a new raised berm with retaining wall put in and so the permanant firing line is all mud. We moved over 20 feet from the far right lane and set up on undisturbed soil. This is the only place to set up besides moving forward of the firing line(berm). We shoot for 10 mins or so and then HE shows up.

He is the same guy I have had run ins with on two other dates (1 yr ago and 5-6 yrs ago). He says at first we can't shoot from were we are at because we aren't on the permanant firing line. "It's totally mud and I don't want to tear it up....or get muddy or shoot in front of the line." He then tells me I need to move my targets laterally so I'm not muzzle pointing towards the access road at my angle. "What are you talking about?, I would have to turn at a 45 degree angle to even get near the road and that wouldn't be any different then if I was firing from the permanant berm." Then he tells me to move again and I refuse. "We are being perfectly safe. "

Now he blurts out he wants to see my membership card. "I said the only way you are seeing my card is if you have yours out first." He then insults my weight, that he remembers me from before and that I have gained weight. I said "Yeah I have gained some weight and I see your still an <removed>."

He mentions that I can report him to the committee if I want and that he runs the CMP shoots. " I don't give a <removed> what you run and go get bent."

He then turns away and drives off.

This is the only guy I have ever had problems with. Should I mention the last two incidents were the fact I was there first and he wanted to use a conflicting range where both can't be live at the same time.

Just wanted to get it off my chest. Constructive comments?
 
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Do what he said,
Approach the range management and explain what happened, and how you didn't want to damage the shooting positions and had moved to what you thought was best, and ask THEM, how to handle it.
 
Good on ya for not taking his crap ! Sounds like the guy needs s/thing else to think about instead of s/ones weight fps
 
I would call management for the range.

The guy probably has a closer interaction with them on a more routine basis is he runs shoots there. Politics might go against you in this, and there are politics everywhere. I would get on the phone ASAP.
 
Yeah i would definitely talk to management. If they defend them, I would personally cancel membership and never go there again. There are proper ways to handle things. He did not do that. It is one thing if you are being grossly unsafe but trying to shoot and not destroy the firing line, that is completely uncalled for.

That guy will cause a physical incident with someone sooner or later.
 
Let him report you.
If your range is like mine, they will want to hear your side of the story before they make any decisions.

Jerks are Jerks and I am sure his jerkyness doesn't apply to just you, others will have had run ins with him and the range officials are probably very aware of his behavior.
 
Do what he said,
Approach the range management and explain what happened, and how you didn't want to damage the shooting positions and had moved to what you thought was best, and ask THEM, how to handle it.


I would call management for the range.

The guy probably has a closer interaction with them on a more routine basis is he runs shoots there. Politics might go against you in this, and there are politics everywhere. I would get on the phone ASAP.


Yep.......if he's one of the "good ol' boys" odds are he'll have the edge if it comes down to his word vs yours. Getting your side of the story in first may give them a better perspective due to open-mindedness, as compared to hearing his side first.
 
Jaybird:
I've been shooting for over 40 years and presently belong to three gun clubs and have noticed one thing: "Every range has it's own idiot in residence". Good you standing your ground.
 
My Grandma teaches Pre-School to 4 year olds, and whenever they have a problem with each other she tells them this;

You do what you want over there and I'll do what I want over here. If you don't like it, tough. (I love you Grandma ;))

As long as you were being safe, this is what I would do.
 
Cross firing

You set up your targets, then moved to the right due to the mud.
You were alone at the time and it wasn't a issue.
This other guy tries to correct your cross firing and your two had a argument. The CMP guy voluntarily runs matches so others can enjoy the sport of high power and get a CMP rifle. He runs into rude people all the time.
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger.
On our range we can challenge others as to their membership if its not showing. Keeps out people who are not members.
Relax and plan ahead. Lose some weight if you want to shoot prone.
 
Everyone has excellent responses.

Only do the following if you are the kind of person who doesn't care a bit what someone thinks of him, after all, you know you are in the right!

Here's a funny and totally safe prank you can play:
Next time he comes, put a bra and tutu on over your clothes and just be real friendly with him.

Then you may drive him away for good whenever you are there.

A fake rose in your teeth may add to the effect - let him think you are off your rocker. Talk to him in riddles, words that don't even make up sentences and make the right side of your face and eye kind of drooped. Have the person with you mumble something about your stroke.
 
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I would definitely speak to the committee and let them know what happened and just how much of a jerk this guy is. I bet you won't be the first, guys like that drive away people who want to learn or practice.
 
Jaybird78
Rude guy at the range....third time.
Yeah, report him. Odds are if he runs matches, he probably has a bit of weight behind him, but that still doesn't excuse his rude behavior. BTW, at which club did this happen? Wasn't Aurora, or St Charles was it?
 
So, you weren't firing from a designated firing position? You randomly chose a place as to avoid the mud? Whether or not he was rude, it sounds to me that you were in the wrong.
 
Personally I would not have gotten into a confrontation with him. Call me a chicken but I would NOT get into ANY sort of argument anywhere near a firing range. Who knows if the guy would have decided to do something foolish. I would have let cooler heads prevail and taken it to club management on Monday.
 
You are way to nice of a person. He should be glad its you. I know people that if he had been that way to he'd be missing some teeth. Don't do that but do file a FORMAL complaint with the range's board of directors. They will be more than glad to settle an issue. This clown is looking for the right person and unfortunately (for him) they will meet someday.
 
I would report the incident, in writing, as well as verbally. Make sure that there is mention of his insulting you about your physical appearance. Unless the range has a weight standard, he was simply harassing you from there on out.

The fact that he "runs the CMP matches" is meaningless in the context it appears in. "Running the Matches" may, for him, mean the person who posts notices, and handles the paperwork, while others handle the actual range work.

Based on your story, it would appear that he was in error, not you.
 
Id ask around with the other members there too, youre probably not the only person he's "annoyed". I think you'll find you have a few allies who are about sick of him too.

Most of these people have no power in their lives and once somebody gives them some, even if its only perceived, it goes right to their heads. We call it Little "gun" (you get the point) syndrome at work. They always have to show you how important they are, and if they can make you look bad while doing it, all the better for their self esteem. Just your typical range Nazi.

Ive dealt with a couple of these boys over the years, and they always seem to end up being a RO, or minor member of the board, etc, at some point, and are always hovering over anyone they think might need "correction", which is basically everyone. Many times to the point of being unsafe. Thats usually a good point to bring up the the club too. Unsafe acts tend to carry more weight, especially if it gets reported out of house.
 
Always be the first to report bad behavior. You are not really a "rat", but you'll appear to be more professional, and concerned about GOOD behavior at the range. Kind of a pre-emptive strike, and it looks better if you go to the range management rather than having them come looking for you if the other guy pitches a complaint.
 
I would call management for the range.

The guy probably has a closer interaction with them on a more routine basis is he runs shoots there. Politics might go against you in this, and there are politics everywhere. I would get on the phone ASAP.


I'm a volunteer range officer for my local private club and I would follow the advice posted above, ASAP!!
 
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