Anyone else kind of nervous at the public ranges?

[SuperNaut]

I haven't been to a public range in years, hate 'em.

 

[medalguy]

I prefer private ranges, but one I belong to just sent out a mass email to members advising them that there have been a lot of stray shots into the buildings lately. Maybe I'll stick with the BLM sand pit I usually shoot at.

 

[Grassman]

You can't even squeeze in my local indoor range on a saturday or sunday afternoon. Slam full, I just choose to go to my little outdoor junk range I've set up. Works for me, and no getting swept with a 9mm either.

 

[herkyguy]

luckily i no longer need a public range. I do feel for those out there still trying to find a lane on their free time. i still hit up the gun shops every now and then and take in the crowd. i try not to pass judgment on people though.....i just thank my lucky stars i don't have to shoot next to them.

 

[MaterDei]

nope. not afraid

 

[Hardtarget]

When at the public ranges I choose the far left or far right shooting positions. At least I only have to watch one side! I will not go alone. There is always a friend to shoot with. One changes targets...one stays with the gear. The SOP is if the crowd is large we wait or pick another day.

Mark

 

[Deer_Freak]

I don't go to a range to practice at all. I do go to ranges to shoot IDPA. Some people consider getting swept as you have the gun pointed down and you turn around. Some safety officers think that embarrassment creates caution. I made the mistake of taking a range only shooter rabbit hunting. We caught the dogs at 8:30 am and deposited the range master at his truck. We had enough safety instruction in ninety minutes. We did have a great hunt late that afternoon.

 

[justice06rr]

Never been an issue for me.

Its like being scared while you are driving; you accept the risks of the activity. Do semi-truck drivers or teenage drivers scare you? Same goes for shooting .

Otherwise, go to a private range or your own backyard.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I haven't noticed this at the ranges I've visited. However, situational awareness should not be lowered at any range, public or private.

Perhaps this might be a chance to spread knowledge and good will with respect to gun safety. However, pick your encounters wisely...not everybody is receptive to such.

If it's a real problem, then I'd say you need to bring this matter up with the owners of the range. Firearms safety is in their own best interest, too.

 

[JRWhit]

Speaking of, I needed a bench and a spotting scope, so I made a rare visit to the public range yesterday. $3 an hour to shoot, targets provided. Sighted in a rifle, and brought the 45cal for the ease of brass collection, walled booths on concrete, beats the tar out of picking through grass.
Ah, the three second rule. It's not that I broke it, just that some of us count to three faster than others.

 

[GrOuNd_ZeRo]

All ranges i've been to common sense prevailed.

The military range here on post is probably the best example, us being trained in safety and all, only rule is nothing over .50, slugs only and when large groups shoot there is a break every so many minutes ofcourse a all clear is called before anyone goes down range where nobody touches their firearms (well almost nobody)

 

[Indifferent]

Nope

 

[Drail]

Safety on public ranges HAS gotten a lot worse just because so many people are buying guns and not getting even basic safety training. If you must use a public range be very observant.

 

[goldie]

Ive seen a fair share of numskulls over the years,but nothing radicaly different from then untill now.Funniest recently was a couple with an ar15 flat top,no scope, no sights,just aiming in the direction of the target & shooting ..

 

[StrutStopper]

Every one that goes to the state range here needs to take a brief safety course before they are issued a permit. There are range officers there that do a pretty good job of keeping things safe. One of the clubs I belong to has gotten crazy on the safety side (no problem for me though.) Yesterday, I think there were 4 or 5 range officers there with only two two four people shooting over the couple of hours I was there. I suppose they need to get their club work hours in one way or another. Another club I belong to has no range officers, and sometimes when people host guests there things seem a little loose, I can't really say I feel unsafe there but pretty close to it a time or two.

 

[Bill4282]

Used to; quit when someone started shooting while the rest of us were changing targets. He said " don't worry, I wasn't aiming in your direction". Sad part is not long after weekend, that a kid was killed while changing his target. State owned unsupervised range.