Gun Range

[Wade Wilson]

Today I was at the gun range, in my lane shooting my pistol, a complete stranger walked up to my lane and stood behind me, then gradually walked into my booth and started to handle my guns without my permission and asked me questions while I was in the middle of a magazine, such as "Is this an XD?" while holding my Glock 23. I was baffled by the bizarre behavior and left after the encounter.

Anyone else have uncomfortable encounters at a gun range?

 

[Nushif]

... What on earth was he thinking?
Did you tell him to like ... not do that?

Did you tell the owner or a RO?

I mean, I'm obviously not gonna say no if he asked to see my stuff, but I *would* like some courtesy. And at least the time to finish my mag.

Maybe he was somehow "testing your cool?"

 

[ainokea]

wow that would actually be dangerous. You might have handled it calmly but if they did it to someone else it could easily escalate.

 

[gbball98]

Doing something stupid like that in my neck of the woods could get you hurt.

 

[fishinbill85]

A grown adult just invading your private space and handling your things without so much as a, "hello"? HMMM...It seems that upon his upbringing he was denied basic manners' training..... So, I would have probably treated him like a child and slapped him on the hands followed with a stern, "NO"!!! I wonder if that would have gotten his attention... if not embarrassed the heck out of him.

 

[Russ Jackson]

Did the guy have his own gun? I would have stopped at the counter and asked if he was a regular and tell them of his odd behavior. I have noticed alot of people at the range in the past year that do not know range etiquette. ...Russ

 

[22-rimfire]

This behavior would not have "set well" with me. I would have instructed him to put the gun down immediately as I held my loaded gun ready to send a few more rounds down range. I have to think something was wrong (like "off") with the guy which is even more reason to tell him to put the gun down immediately. You ask permission to handle other folks property. That includes looking at guns at gunshows if possible.

 

[vaupet]

I always ask permission and I'd rather have the owner perform a safety check before handing me the gun. I always do before i hand one of mine over to someone else: basic safety rule.

 

[jonmerritt]

umm, your firing a gun, I stay away untill your done if I have a question. And I sure as hell don't stand behind you! I keep my distance. And the first thing I do is say "Hi, I am Jon" And I never touch another persons weapon (firearm) untill permission is clearly given and it is safe to do so. Just common sense. I don't ask to handle another persons firearm unless I am buying it.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Publc indoor ranges make me nervous. I'm glad I have other options. I don't blame you for leaving, I would have also left.

 

[Harley Quinn]

You did not say or do anything Shows a real lack of concern, you gave off no bad vibes, just smiled and now you complain

Was this a range person that pushed self onto you Got to be more to the story I would have to think

Self defense mode is pretty low keyed IMHO...No aggrivation shown just leave say nothing ???

Regards

 

[Average Joe]

You knew he was there, why on earth did you let him get that close to you and handle your guns ? If it was me, he couldn't have handled my guns, because he would be on his ass...

 

[Wade Wilson]

You knew he was there, why on earth did you let him get that close to you and handle your guns ? If it was me, he couldn't have handled my guns, because he would be on his ass...

At first when he was behind me I figured he was just watching me shooting, then he walked up on me. Lets be realistic or smart, I am not going to get into a physical confrontation with a complete stranger at a gun range, I would rather walk away then risk getting shot by someone who just escaped the loony bin.

 

[gym]

You could have gone either way with that situation. Initially I would have to assume he was just an idiot, and be prepared to take controll while speaking to him in a calm deliberate voice. If the gun was loaded and started to come my way, "we all know what could happen". It's just a crazy world out ther and you never know who you are dealing with, a gang member, a jerk, a wise guy, or just an uneducated person in firearms or life. I use a hard case padded with heavy 3 inch foam on both sides. I can throw all my stuff in there and snap lock it so there is nothing on the table but a box of ammo and maybe a couple of mags, and targets. Stuff dissapears too easy in the blink of an eye. If I am not using it right then, it goes in the case. Also I only bring two guns plus my carry at any one time. Usually it's all the same caliber like 9's, or 45's, just so I can glance at any given time and know where everything is and keep track of things easier. I would have said something to the owner of the range, and made sure that he knew that this guy was a danger. I also would have made sure he didn't get my plate afterwards.

 

[Nushif]

Lets be realistic or smart, I am not going to get into a physical confrontation with a complete stranger at a gun range, I would rather walk away then risk getting shot by someone who just escaped the loony bin.

This.

I am surprised at how often people ignore their own H2H or even diplomatic abilities when they are carrying a gun.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

I've seen some bad etiquette at ranges over the years, but frankly, not as much lately. I've read about some pretty irritating incidents here, but it's been fifteen years or better since I had a problem run-in myself.

I might lean in and look at another fella's guns, maybe even ask about the model, caliber, or how it shoots, but it's rude to ever handle another shooter's guns without being offered. I won't even ask to handle one; the owner offers or I admire from a safe distance.

It's just polite.

KR

 

[Claude Clay]

another Ambian event

 

[TXHORNS]

No doubt that's odd behavior, I'm happy your situation ended without much fuss. I don't shoot at public ranges anymore but if I did and this happened to me I would bring limited guns from now on with everything cased or locked that wasn't being shot, probably keep one concealed at all times too.

But the best thing to do is make friends with someone with a private range!

 

[Harley Quinn]

I believe if it bothers you now, it bothered you then...As far as Ambien and other thoughts.

Never allow someone to pick up your pistol, or take it from you, is my thoughts...

Realistic is, you had no idea what to do, for you seemed to be the correct way, for others, NOT...

Natural reaction for a Marine, is not for others, I would think...
Why they are only looking for a few men...It is an attitude thing

Regards

 

[W L Johnson]

If he asks for one round and one round only, well.... don't give it to him!

 

[rodensouth]

Realistically, squaring yourself with him and giving him your full attention to ensure you regained control of your weapon quickly is not getting into a physical confrontation.

If he wanted a confrontation, he had your back.

Predatory individuals will test your resolve sometimes, confidence can often cause them to rethink situation.

The RO really needed to know.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Wow... even my 3 year old knows pretty well "If it's not yours, don't touch!"

Certainly more restraint than I would have shown, but I've had 2 rounds put within 18 inches of my gut by friendly idiots already.

My range is private, keycard access, so I'm not TOO worried about random people, but I'm there absolutely alone often.

I'm uncomfortable enough with people at the range I habitually keep one sidearm loaded on my hip while shooting/handling the others. Right now the BUG is the .45 Schofield with Winchester 225 silvertips.

It's not paranoia, it's just unfortunate history and a lack of exposure to more shooters in person.

If a complete stranger, without a word, walked to my range bag, picked up a weapon while I was cranking the target back...they'd have about 5 seconds to put it back, and leave the premises before the police were summoned.

Being big has some advantages, fewer people screw with you at random, but you get the more "committed" ones instead. Being disabled means "self defense" is a heck of a lot easier for a judge to understand.

Note the Sig. Machiavelli had it right.

 

[Gouranga]

Wow, even when I was a noob, I would NEVER, NEVER just walk up and grab someones gun. he does not know who you are, if the gun is loaded, etc. You just do not do that period. it is just common courtesy with any private property.

You were nicer than me, I would have said something to him about that. I would have not went of my rocker but I would have been a firm "You mind asking before handling my stuff?". Just bad form.

 

[doc2rn]

I would have put my hot barrel on his hand the moment it landed on my pistol if I where you, but thats just the devil doc in me.

 

[Prion]

"Excuse me, do you mind?" followed by courteously relieving him of my firearm. Then put them back in whatever you carried them to the range in and resume shooting.

Maybe you should only have one gun out at a time. I usually do if only for my organizational OCD but it might be wise as well.