I find more and more RO's get a huge power trip over being the ro to the point when I show up I leave if I see certian individuals. Some of these folks try to kick you out because you do not want to hear their gun teachings ect. Age does not seem to affect the snobish attitude I think its just exactly what it is a HUGE POWER TRIP!
I'd report the RO if he had an attitude problem. We do have rules to follow, and we're not supposed to be hostile.
OTOH, our shoes are big, soggy, and very stinky things to walk in. I've honestly been in fear for my life a few times, When someone's covering another shooter with the muzzle, finger on the trigger, courtesy has to...erm...take a brief hiatus.
Nowadays, the average person was not raised on firearms. We live in a society based on instant gratification, and the idea that shooting might require training, practice and patience is considered passe by many.
I'd say 40% of people on a public range are just there to pull the trigger and hear loud noises. Another 40% are folks who shoot once a year, and they don't remember what they got taught the previous year. Only about 10% are what we would consider "shooters."
Yeah, I lost 10% in there. We'll chock that up to "margin of error.
Ideally, the RO's job should entail a light touch. Offer advice for improvement, and gently nudge people from borderline carelessness. At its worst, you're having to deal with people who are completely untrained and pose a very real danger handling firearms.
The trouble for alot of folks is distinguishing between the two. A few close calls make it easy to get paranoid and start stereotyping. Still, it's no excuse to be a jerk to everyone.