Disturbing Incident at a Range I Frequent

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If I were concerned enough about the license plates of the other vehicles in the lot I would just discreetly write them down in a little notebook, probably before I ever got out of my car. I wouldn't go around conspicuously recording them with a camera or otherwise.

The most negative experience I have had at a private range was some bubba bump-firing his AR-15 right next to me. I have also been a little disturbed to chat with an otherwise affable fella at the range on two occasions, both of which times I could smell alcohol on his breath. The second time I made a point of leaving as soon as he showed up.
 
typevx wrote:


the world's coming to an end
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Useless post. The world isn't coming to an end, and no one has suggested otherwise. But it nonetheless is worth a bit of $%^#@.

As somone has lost firearms-- including a couple heirlooms-- to a break-in, I find this sarcastic comment to be unsympathetic, callous, and immature.

Exactly what was the motive here?


-- John
 
I keep my shotguns in well-marked bags with my name on them. I also make certain memory marks on the recoil pads and such in case I had to prove that someone took one of mine (such as lightly etching my initials on the bottom of the stock or something). I may leave them up on the bench for when I go for more targets, but I'll notice them get taken because the lobby of each bay overlooks their respective lanes. Before I walk back into the bay, I'll make sure it's still there. If it's not, then I tell an employee and nobody leaves that bay until I get my gun back and the thief gets arrested.

I guess thats the only REAL good thing about indoor ranges aside from the consistent good weather.
 
Couple of suggestions

This thread has made the think a lot about how our range will be rebuilt soon, and some of the changes I will suggest to our range officer.

1. Camera monitored parking lot.
2. Lockers at the pistol range for locking up firearms not in use.
3. Locking gun rack for "downrange" walking and leaving your guns at the table. It could be as simple as a place for a gun lock to be threaded through a metal plate.
4. Range I.D. cards from the Department of Natural Resources (or whoever operates the range). A "card holder" could be at each shooting station so you have to display your i.d. when you shoot or give the RO your i.d. to enter the shooting area.
5. Adding license numbers to the sign in sheet.

I know some people don't want to be identified when they shoot, but if you're using a public range where such incidents as the one described happen, you have to help make it better for everybody. If you don't want to be identified, don't shoot at a public range... go to a private range. They usually cost about $150 to $300 a year to join and you still have to be on a membership list to use the facilities... and if you think your identity is hidden, all it takes is a subpoena to look at all the range records... and I doubt if the operators are going to go to jail to protect who's burning ammo on the weekends. They just provide more services than the public ranges.

WT
 
Missunderstood.

Hey there :
Sounds as if I may have been missunderstood about the photo thing.
I really did not mean walk over and start taking pictures. I do carry a camera phone and if I am uneasy about a situation, I do not hesitate to act as if I am taking on that phone while maybe accidently snapping a pic.
No invasion of privacy about it.
A camera phone may have helped find the guys gun , Had a photo been taken of the get away car. I know ! How could you have known what was going on. Anway it was just an idea.
I have my camera at the range a lot as many photos of guns and shooting sessions are taken. No matter. No real answers to exactly how to handle that type of deal other than be very careful.
 
I think it is odd

You noticed a man running with a gun and you did not watch for detail. what was he wearing, what was he driving, what was his plate number.

I find it strange that you were not observant enough in this very strange situation that was at hand.


steve:confused:
 
a old mentor once drilled this into me

Standard Operating Procedure

at all times, in the field, in the mess hall, in the barracks, in the vehicle, at the house, on the range;

Maintain positive control of your weapon at all times.
Do not head down rang with an unsupervised weapon behind you.
And if you have a weapon, have ammo for the weapon.

I always ask myself, "could afford this mistake", and if the answer is no, then I work for prevention.

my 2 c's

st
 
42 said:
Bump fire?
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it's a vernacular, used to describe a method of rapid firing a semi automatic rifle. the basic principle involves momentum and energy to increase rate of fire.

basically what happens is, the user controls the rifle in such a way that it basically rocks on your finger. so instead of moving your finger for rapid fire, the whole rifle basically moves instead. and its own kinetic energy is enough for a user to control and mimick F/A operation.

a user simply grasps the rifle with one hand, positions the rifle at waist level (rambo style), and loops his other hand's thumb through the trigger and then inside his belt loop. thumb on the trigger and using forward pressure on the rifle, pull it out in front of you until it begins to fire, keeping the rifle stiff. doing it correctly will result in the rifle 're-setting' and chambering/firing a new round subsequently for the whole magazine. of course describing it isnt as easy as watching it. so here is a video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=U-nUA52BS3c


p.s. be careful if you attempt this...
 
This is why I like shooting at the private club I belong to. We are at the end of a 1 mile dirt road so between the dust and the club being gated there is no sneaking in unless you walk and then there is no quick get away. Not all shooters are trustworthy though. Even at my club. Last fall I was cleaning my guns in the club house and took off my windbreaker and forgot it. I went back the next day and it was gone. I posted a sign about it with my number on the cork board but never heard anything. It was just a $12 jacket from Wal-mart that I bought to wear when shooting so I was surprised when it didn't turn up.
 
I haven't thought of it, but I think in the market that we are in now, things like this will happen more and more. It is a good place to get guns.

We are all on notice now, watch your 6 and keep your eyes open.
 
One thing I didn't see mentioned that seems a little scary is that here you are witnessing this guy's crime. He's got a gun in his hand and maybe he doesn't like witnesses.
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Another thought that occured to me later. Although the gun was empty (according to the owner) when it was stolen and the theif did not thinkto steal the ammo that was laying on the table beside the gun.
 
Stolivar said:

I think it is odd

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You noticed a man running with a gun and you did not watch for detail. what was he wearing, what was he driving, what was his plate number.

I find it strange that you were not observant enough in this very strange situation that was at hand.
Click to expand...

I wish I had been more observant. My thought wash that the guy had gotten an emergency call and had to leave. It never occured to me that a theft was in progress. I feel awful about that.

I think it is odd

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You noticed a man running with a gun and you did not watch for detail. what was he wearing, what was he driving, what was his plate number.

I find it strange that you were not observant enough in this very strange situation that was at hand.
Click to expand...

So true. My expereinces at that range have been absolutely wonderful until this incident.
 
What a bummer.:(

I really hope this guy recovers his firearm...Hopefully they find it still with the scumbag that took it (two birds with one stone/shot).

Man, hearing crap like this really bums me out. There aren't too many things worse than a low-life thief.:barf:
 
The (unattended) range that I goto only has targets set up at 100 yards.. if you want closer bring your own. I was shooting at the 100 yard target when out of the corner of my eye I see a "homeboy" walking downrange. I immediately stop and watch him unload a magazine at the 100 yard target from about 10 yards away (missing almost all btw) When he came back I pointed out that he had been walking about 15 feet to the left of where I was shooting. He just said "oh, I wanted to get closer" completely oblivious to the danger. I left, got lunch, and came back after he was gone.
 
I have heard that thieves and 'bangers are catching on that ranges are a ripe place to go looking for weapons to steal. They know that people walking out will probably have guns and may have shot most or all of their ammo.

I always look both ways when I'm leaving my range and I never shoot off my last full mag.
 
The man is lucky. Stealing at a range is a daring stunt. Someone tried mugging a retired navy seal at a local firing range a few years ago. The thief didn't live to tell about it.
 
Quote:

The man is lucky. Stealing at a range is a daring stunt. Someone tried mugging a retired navy seal at a local firing range a few years ago. The thief didn't live to tell about it.

~~~~~

Good one!

Catherine
 
It is not paranoid to be careful...

I used to shoot alone often back east @ an indoor range and @ a Sportsman's Club.

No range officers on duty unless there was a special even going on.

I did not leave my firearms unattended even if I was 'alone' or had another person with me. If the person with me was someone that I KNEW like my late husband or a best friend or super close GUN friends... OK... we watched each others GEAR.

IF there was another person there, always a man or men, rarely any women there at either place when I shot... I took out what I was shooting and used it. I kept one firearm loaded - holstered on me and when I LEFT the indoor or outdoor range - I had to UNLOAD the LAST Self Defense Firearm because it was a NO CCW deal in that RINO lying governor state even though he made false promises to get elected. UGH. When I shoot totally ALONE and the range is empty or NO one is there... I do the same deal.

Out here... I mainly go to the range with my husband and/or with our gun friends.

We follow the same deal. At events: MOST of the small group of out of state friends and IN state friends conceal and open carry. EVERYONE is packing plus what we already are shooting. Guns are all lined up and each guy has his stuff OUT. Ammo, brass because most reload, gun gear, you name it! Sometimes there are so many firearms... we put things out... put them away... bring more out! (Speaking of militias! Dang good shooters too! Ha ha!) We shoot each others firearms IF it is something that interests us. These guys come from several professions, most are former military, some are corporate guys, some are forest rangers, some in medicine, some in their own security business and detectives, some are railroad people and some are retired as I am. You name it and it is a VERY super close group of people.

MOST of the time back east... I shot ALONE. I went alone when I was safe enough to shoot alone. Once in awhile... my late husband went with me if he was able to go, my police and/or military friends, a gun/political buddy or two and I even took some ladies to the range too. Newbies.

You never know and I would trust most people but there are some in any sport that I would be cautious around. Not because of THEFT but because I don't like them SAFETY WISE or just do NOT care for them as PEOPLE.

Some man on a board that I recently quit said/wrote to me that paranoia runs DEEP. It was about a computer security issue on THAT board that I dared question among other things. Well, if he could see me now... I would say that STUPIDITY runs even DEEPER and it is better to be SAFE than SORRY whether it comes to firearms or ANY other OBJECT or TOOL that one is using. That goes for anything - anywhere!

As they say... watch your six and shoot straight!

Catherine
 
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it would seem to me that a range without a ro would have some kind of camra system just to cover their own butts in case of an accident or what ever,closest range around here is indoor and lots of security,the local police force use the place also,so that helps some i guess
 
I have heard that thieves and 'bangers are catching on that ranges are a ripe place to go looking for weapons to steal. They know that people walking out will probably have guns and may have shot most or all of their ammo.

I always look both ways when I'm leaving my range and I never shoot off my last full mag.
Click to expand...

Exactly, I never leave with a completely empty firearm.
 
Gunrange South of Springfield Missouri

I know that particular range in the valley south of Springfield, MO

The first time I took my wife and (teenage) kids to a range it was that one (my 3rd visit). There were LITTLE KIDS RUNNING AROUND.

The kids belonged to a bunch of yahoos who were grouped around a bench. One of the guys at the bench had a cigarette dangling from his mouth while he shot a 12 guage from the hip. It jumped out of his forward hand--he wasn't even hanging on to it very well.

In retrospect, we should have left and I should have called the sheriff. My wife hasn't let me take the kids to an outdoor range since then and I haven't been back--its been a couple of years.

The rotting food from shot veggie cans was a bit of a turn off too. Its a pity - that could be a great range if the yahoos didn't show up.

BRL
 
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