RSO Stories

I was shooting at a local gun club with my wife a few years back. Every bay was full and there wasn't anyone assigned to be the RSO.

So some club member shows up and calls an immediate ceasefire. Then he goes off on some rant and wants to know who the RSO is. All of a sudden everyone is pointing at me!! I was like ***? Who died and made me God?

So mr club member goes off on me and tells me the club rule is who ever is on the range first is the RSO (because that's a qualification?) and that means me.

I told him to pick someone else because I was leaving

Honestly the only time I have been at a range with an RSO physically present was outside of Albuquerque New Mexico. It sucked. Treated all thevshooters like10 year olds

When Mantee Gun & Archery 1st moved to Logue Road the old Texan fellow would sit by the sign in trailer smoking cigars while we on the shooting line ran things ourselves.
No body died. Once the club got busier the ROs patrolled like prison guards.

Trunk Monkey said:

I was shooting at a local gun club with my wife a few years back. Every bay was full and there wasn't anyone assigned to be the RSO.

So some club member shows up and calls an immediate ceasefire. Then he goes off on some rant and wants to know who the RSO is. All of a sudden everyone is pointing at me!! I was like ***? Who died and made me God?

So mr club member goes off on me and tells me the club rule is who ever is on the range first is the RSO (because that's a qualification?) and that means me.

I told him to pick someone else because I was leaving

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The two clubs I belong to (AGC and CRC) list this requirement: (1st on the range is de facto RSO until a paid RSO shows up) in their membership and use laws.
If you can't be bothered to hand off your RSO position then THANK YOU for promptly leaving the range to someone who will take that necessary responsibility.

MutinousDoug said:

The two clubs I belong to (AGC and CRC) list this requirement: (1st on the range is de facto RSO until a paid RSO shows up) in their membership and use laws.
If you can't be bothered to hand off your RSO position then THANK YOU for promptly leaving the range to someone who will take that necessary responsibility.

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As far as I know no such rule existed in our club. The range rules were clearly posted at each bay and that wasn't one of them. To be fair, I must admit that everyone but me seemed to be aware of the rule.

Having said all that though, I don't pay my club dues and range fees so that I can be an unpaid babysitter and no, I'm not accepting responsibility or liability for a bunch of people I really have no control over.

I don't pay my club dues and range fees so that I can be an unpaid babysitter
and no, I'm not accepting responsibility or liability for a bunch of people I really
have no control over.

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Then don't be the first person on the range.
Wait for the 2nd to arrive . . .

. . . who then will have authority over you.








Epilogue: once when serving as RSO, the range stapler ran dry while being used by a member. The member came to me and told me it was empty. I pointed him to the box of staples right by the sign-in book and suggested he go ahead and fill it.

He gave me the same ...I don't pay my club dues and range fees so that I can be an unpaid [stapler-filler].

I took the stapler back and suggested then he bring & use his own stapler from that point on.

He was not a happy camper . . .





.

MEHavey said:

Then don't be the first person on the range.
Wait for the 2nd to arrive . . .

. . . who then will have authority over you.








Epilogue: once when serving as RSO, the range stapler ran dry while being used by a member. The member came to me and told me it was empty. I pointed him to the box of staples right by the sign-in book and suggested he go ahead and fill it.

He gave me the same ...I don't pay my club dues and range fees so that I can be an unpaid [stapler-filler].

I took the stapler back and suggested then he bring & use his own stapler from that point on.

He was not a happy camper . . .
.

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I'm glad I don't spend my whole life trying to order other people's lives.

Luckily my work schedule is such that my wife generally get to the range on Wednesday morning around 9 and we're the only people there so we don't have to worry about it.

On a firing range, someone had better.
It' s that, or a free fire zone -- literally.

Y'all take care now . . . heah?

MEHavey said:

Then don't be the first person on the range.
Wait for the 2nd to arrive . . .

. . . who then will have authority over you.








Epilogue: once when serving as RSO, the range stapler ran dry while being used by a member. The member came to me and told me it was empty. I pointed him to the box of staples right by the sign-in book and suggested he go ahead and fill it.

He gave me the same ...I don't pay my club dues and range fees so that I can be an unpaid [stapler-filler].

I took the stapler back and suggested then he bring & use his own stapler from that point on.

He was not a happy camper . . .





.

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And this is why they get treated like 10yr olds....so many act like it and you never know what you are dealing with.

Any interaction with the public is a test on just how screwed up everything is.

P5 Guy said:

No body died. Once the club got busier the ROs patrolled like prison guards.

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Ok, but just to be clear, you didn’t say shot. Just because the guy didn’t die doesn’t make it not a problem. And weren’t they just about shut down a few years ago from rounds getting out of the impact zone?

Wow, the idea of a range just assigning a random member to be the RSO is crazy. I had no idea some places do that. That puts the range and the individual in a terrible liability situation if anything were ever to happen.

And this is why they get treated like 10yr olds....so many
act like it and you never know what you are dealing with.

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Given you've not a clue as to what you've said, I'll ignore it..

The fact stands... if the club says 1st-on runs range safety,
That person runs the range -- and you -- if you are #2.

Xin Loi . . . .

mgresh said:

Wow, the idea of a range just assigning a random member to be the RSO is crazy. I had no idea some places do that. That puts the range and the individual in a terrible liability situation if anything were ever to happen.

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That is the policy at my Rifle & Pistol Club. Each member is expected to know the rules (we have to take a quiz each year upon membership renewal) and be willing to serve as the RSO if they are the first at a particular range or berm. They can pass that responsibility off to another willing member upon their arrival, but until then they are in charge. In the 25+ years that I have been a member that has never been a problem.

Wish I somehow had this photo link, but I still don't know how to create links.
The famous James Yeager operates or is associated with some interesting shooting classes.

A photo posted recently on AKfiles (can't remember which forum, or the topic title) shows one of these handgun classes. I'm fairly sure that this specific school is operated by, or approved by Yeager.

The back row is still shooting as other shooters step forward from Between these back row guys, and the front row is going at leastseveral feet in front of the back row, which is still shooting.

There is also a different report, that a photographer was allowed downrange while shooters were active in one of his classes.

Check "TheFirearmsBlog": "Highly Controversial Training Video".
Whichever photo was labeled "disturbing", doesn't work on my computer.

Sistema1927 said:

That is the policy at my Rifle & Pistol Club. Each member is expected to know the rules (we have to take a quiz each year upon membership renewal) and be willing to serve as the RSO if they are the first at a particular range or berm. They can pass that responsibility off to another willing member upon their arrival, but until then they are in charge. In the 25+ years that I have been a member that has never been a problem.

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As I said earlier my work schedule makes this pretty much a moot point for me. I generally go to the range on Wednesday morning which is about as dead as as it gets.

My wife and I almost never have to share a berm with anyone else and if we do it may be one other person. In which case the RSO Duties are generally handled by waiting till the other person isn't shooting and then asking for a ceasefire.

I'm going to say again that I have yet to see a written rule or club bylaw that states that the first person on site is the RSO. If I had actually seen a club bylaw or something in writing then I would have at least had a chance to evaluate whether or not I wanted to accept that as a condition of membership.

I have to pay a range fee every time I use the range. I'm not going to pay you for the privilege of working for you and I'm sorry but I am not going to accept liability for someone else's unsafe acts.

MEHavey said:

Given you've not a clue as to what you've said, I'll ignore it..

The fact stands... if the club says 1st-on runs range safety,
That person runs the range -- and you -- if you are #2.

Xin Loi . . . .

Click to expand...

I will try again....and use very small words.

First lets quote the part of the statement that was made that I commented on....I do know reading iz hard for some.

Epilogue: once when serving as RSO, the range stapler ran dry while being used by a member. The member came to me and told me it was empty. I pointed him to the box of staples right by the sign-in book and suggested he go ahead and fill it.

He gave me the same ...I don't pay my club dues and range fees so that I can be an unpaid [stapler-filler].

I took the stapler back and suggested then he bring & use his own stapler from that point on.

He was not a happy camper . . .

Above was quoted by another poster.....after his post I quoted and made a comment that the person that tossed a hissy fit was acting like a child.

Any sane adult (not sure that fits with you or not) would think that if someone pitched a fit that he had to fill up a staple gun is acting childish perhaps you see this as acceptable I do not.

Personally I would not want that liability, as others have pointed out....if your club put you in charge just because you are first there....that is just flat stupid. YOU are "in charge" anything goes sideways is on you....you will be in court. Shooting is fun but not so much fun I want to spend the rest of my days in a room with striped sun light....or loose all my stuff.

I belong to two clubs. (looking at a third, but it is about 4hrs away....but has a 2400 yard range) If there is not a match going on it is on the honor system.....hay brother you done shooting down there....nope...ok cool just holler when you are done and i will hit the switches and wonder down. Usually you can tell if a person is done...the guns are made safe, you see them open bolt on the rack or sitting there with the bolt out.....one guy will hit the horn then the lights....our line has several switches and only the switch that has hit the lights can turn off the lights....I guess you could say that is the RSO but not in my book....it really is whoever hits the button....If I am first there and done last and the other guy is standing around he will hit the horn and lights.

I do hope you understand (well not really)

If the clubs I belong to had a policy like that I can see a very easy to win suit in your clubs future.

How can you be the RSO and a shooter at the same time?

It is not possible to effectively do both jobs at once.

So I am the first person to arrive. 10 minutes later another member arrives followed by more members arriving. Since I am by club rules to serve as RSO my day of shooting is over until everyone else leaves.

Sistema1927 said:

That is the policy at my Rifle & Pistol Club. Each member is expected to know the rules (we have to take a quiz each year upon membership renewal) and be willing to serve as the RSO if they are the first at a particular range or berm. They can pass that responsibility off to another willing member upon their arrival, but until then they are in charge. In the 25+ years that I have been a member that has never been a problem.

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I look at things a little different than most. I'm in Risk Management for insurance. This is a really bad policy. The range is putting themselves in a really bad liability position, and again, any individual who accepts that responsibility, IMO is crazy. But, as long as nothing happens...

BSA1 said:

How can you be the RSO and a shooter at the same time?

It is not possible to effectively do both jobs at once.

So I am the first person to arrive. 10 minutes later another member arrives followed by more members arriving. Since I am by club rules to serve as RSO my day of shooting is over until everyone else leaves.

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Not possible to do both jobs at once? Sure it is.

As I said, this is the system under which I have operated for over 25 years, and it is flawless. This is a club with about 1,000 members, all of them are expected to know the rules and obey them. Failure to do so is grounds for immediate termination of membership.

At the same time, everyone is responsible for safety, anyone can call a cease fire at any time for safety reasons. The RSO is responsible for calling periodic cease fires for re-setting targets, etc. And checks that the line is safe prior to calling the range cold. Once everyone is back he calls the range hot. It isn't that difficult.

Sistema1927 said:

Not possible to do both jobs at once? Sure it is.

As I said, this is the system under which I have operated for over 25 years, and it is flawless. This is a club with about 1,000 members, all of them are expected to know the rules and obey them. Failure to do so is grounds for immediate termination of membership.

At the same time, everyone is responsible for safety, anyone can call a cease fire at any time for safety reasons. The RSO is responsible for calling periodic cease fires for re-setting targets, etc. And checks that the line is safe prior to calling the range cold. Once everyone is back he calls the range hot. It isn't that difficult.

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Unfortunately, the difficulty of the job, and the fact that nothing has happened (yet) are completely irrelevant when it comes to liability exposure.

Is your club members only?

mgresh said:

Unfortunately, the difficulty of the job, and the fact that nothing has happened (yet) are completely irrelevant when it comes to liability exposure.

Is your club members only?

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Yes, members only and their guests, who are also expected to follow the rules. As I stated, the entire membership takes an extensive quiz each year upon membership renewal. The Board of Directors tolerates no violation of the rules, and will toss you out on the 1st infraction.

Key card access to the range, which includes numerous action pistol berms, a tunnel range, two plinking ranges, several 200 yard rifle ranges, shotgun ranges with throwers,and a 600 yard rifle range with pits and flag. Also there is an indoor 50 ft. small bore range exclusively for youth use.

Now, even with about 1K paying members, it is possible to find times during the week when you can get a berm or a plinking range all to yourself. Weekends have scheduled activities such as action pistol matches, cowboy, silhouette, etc.

But, since we don't meet your personal requirements for a safe operation, maybe it is good that you aren't a member.

BSA1 said:

How can you be the RSO and a shooter at the same time?

It is not possible to effectively do both jobs at once. ...

Click to expand...

Sistema1927 said:

Not possible to do both jobs at once? Sure it is.

As I said, this is the system under which I have operated for over 25 years, and it is flawless. This is a club with about 1,000 members, all of them are expected to know the rules and obey them. Failure to do so is grounds for immediate termination of membership.

At the same time, everyone is responsible for safety, anyone can call a cease fire at any time for safety reasons. The RSO is responsible for calling periodic cease fires for re-setting targets, etc. And checks that the line is safe prior to calling the range cold. Once everyone is back he calls the range hot. It isn't that difficult.

Click to expand...

Apparently, job descriptions & responsibilities of an RSO vary greatly.

Sistema1927 said:

Yes, members only and their guests, who are also expected to follow the rules. As I stated, the entire membership takes an extensive quiz each year upon membership renewal. The Board of Directors tolerates no violation of the rules, and will toss you out on the 1st infraction.

Key card access to the range, which includes numerous action pistol berms, a tunnel range, two plinking ranges, several 200 yard rifle ranges, shotgun ranges with throwers,and a 600 yard rifle range with pits and flag. Also there is an indoor 50 ft. small bore range exclusively for youth use.

Now, even with about 1K paying members, it is possible to find times during the week when you can get a berm or a plinking range all to yourself. Weekends have scheduled activities such as action pistol matches, cowboy, silhouette, etc.

But, since we don't meet your personal requirements for a safe operation, maybe it is good that you aren't a member.

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Again, I have never said your range doesn't operate safely. And I didn't say I wouldn't be a member. You're missing the point.

I would not want to be the club itself if you ever have an incident with those policies in place. And I would NEVER as an individual accept responsibility of being the RSO.

Saying 1,000 random people are all qualified to be RSO's is asinine.

I’ve only ever been to private “back yard” type ranges. But the only two really stupid things I can think of is one guy that had a beautiful lab trained to retrieve birds, and he didn’t tie him up. Every time we shot the silly dog would dart off to go find a bird, which was obviously in our direct line of fire. He needed more training, assuming he lived long enough to get it.

And I once saw someone shoot at a buzzard, in flight, with a SKS. That’s pretty stupid imo.

Sistema1927 said:

. . . includes numerous action pistol berms, a tunnel range, two plinking ranges, several 200 yard rifle ranges, shotgun ranges with throwers,and a 600 yard rifle range with pits and flag. Also there is an indoor 50 ft. small bore range exclusively for youth use.

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I need to move to your town! I consider myself blessed to have a single 300 yard bench-only square range, and a 50 yard pistol. Yours sounds awesome!