Is it appropriate for a RSO to go through your bags?

[BCCL]

It should be his last day as an RSO.

 

[Rosstradamus]

I'm an NRA RSO and at my club the SOP states RSO's are not to be challenged, what we say goes when on duty. You got a problem ,write a letter to the BOD. Too many folks try to push the envelope, his approach was coarse but not inappropriate. You get belligerent the Sheriff is on speed dial.

It anyone is looking for the definition of Range Nazi, you just found it.

 

[tooltech]

Thank God my club's range is non-policed, or self-regulated or whatever it's called. There's lots of individual ranges there, and we can pretty much have one all to ourselves with no other shooters or any RSO's breathing down your necks. Now, for "events", where there's several people involved in competitions of some sort, sure, there's an RSO, usually a volunteer member. But we don't have Range Nazi's.

560 acres of shooting heaven. Kind of on the windy side of heaven though, sometimes.

Where do you shoot?

 

[Drail]

Having spent a few years as an RO on a private club's range facilities we only watched people to see that they weren't doing unsafe stupid things. As far what they have in their bag, I couldn't care less. If you start busting out targets and stands or lights or buildings, we would get your license number and file charges. But going through someone's bag? No way.

 

[TehK1w1]

I don't mind showing the RSO my ammo. I'd be unhappy if he asked to look through my bags, and would probably leave instead. Rifling through your personal bags and belongings without permission, though, is inexcusable and illegal.

 

[nitetrane98]

As always, different states may vary but I'd love it if somebody would post the law that would make a private citizen, not acting under the color of law, guilty of a criminal offense for looking through somebody's bag. All of this, "Call the sheriff" BS. What's he going to charge him with, "Malicious coon fingering with intent to snoop? Illegal search? Yeah right. Everybody knows those RSO's have to get a warrant to search your stuff. Geez.

I'm an NRA RSO and at my club the SOP states RSO's are not to be challenged, what we say goes when on duty. You got a problem ,write a letter to the BOD. Too many folks try to push the envelope, his approach was coarse but not inappropriate. You get belligerent the Sheriff is on speed dial.

What's the point of having any written rules?

A lot of folks sound like the joke about the fellow getting pulled over and ticketed for speed along with a stern ass chewing. The trooper then walks around to passenger side and chews him out too. "I'm just granting your wish. 100 yards down the road you're gonna say, "Wish he had tried that stuff with me."

Not sure what I'd have done. Dang sure wouldn't have liked it but you know what Forrest Gump says about stupid.

 

[Erik]

"Is it appropriate for a RSO to go through your bags?"

No. Never.

 

[ghoster]

I had a ro walk up holding his gun pointing down but in both hands like he was preped to pull up on my buddy and order him to make his weapon safe, set it on the table, turn around and keep his hands away from his sidearm. My buddy had his 45 in a serpa holster on his side. It was priceless watching wanabe mall ninga poop his pants when he found out he drew on a federal marshal. Needless to say Mr. studrock RO dosent work around guns anymore.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I'm an NRA RSO and at my club the SOP states RSO's are not to be challenged, what we say goes when on duty. You got a problem ,write a letter to the BOD.
Too many folks try to push the envelope, his approach was coarse but not inappropriate. You get belligerent the Sheriff is on speed dial.

Oh... wait.... you were being serious....

 

[rocky branch]

What a jerk-off.
Coutersy and respect are a two way street.
Why couldn't he let you know the situation and explain he needed to see your stuff.
You could have then displayed it.
Thank God for my own range.

 

[jbkebert]

Originally Posted by lilguy
I'm an NRA RSO and at my club the SOP states RSO's are not to be challenged, what we say goes when on duty. You got a problem ,write a letter to the BOD.
Too many folks try to push the envelope, his approach was coarse but not inappropriate. You get belligerent the Sheriff is on speed dial.

Wow a little proud of your title aren't you. I also am a NRA RSO and my hands don't even touch a shooters gun. I may ask a person that I am unfamilar with to see there gun. Just open the case and the action I don't need to hold it. I also may ask someone to show me the ammo the intend to shoot. The main reason to make sure it matches the firearm brought to the range or to make sure they are not bringing tracers or the like on the firing line. If a person shows up with a older firearm or a new firearm I may ask that they load one round at a time for the first 10 rounds to make sure they can safely operate that gun.

Now I do have a copy of the NRA RSO manual and I can't find the page that says I have absolute authority to search the property of a person wishing to shoot on the range I am operating. I do have the right and the responsiblity to first correct any negative actions caused by shooters. For the most part I will tell them to correct themselves first. If there is a lack of response to my request I will ask them to leave. If they don't leave then the LEO is called. Shooting is supposed to be fun but safe. I had Drill SGTs with more personality than your post suggest.

 

[bigalexe]

To OP:

Anyone going through your belongings without invitation should be treated with suspicion, I would not hesitate to ask them to stop. In regards to an RSO starting an unwarranted and impromptu lecture on ammunition or weapons could politely be asked "Is any of my equipment against posted range policies?"

Now realize that challenging someone like that is going to upset them and will most likely lead to a confrontational situation but that is their problem and not yours.

 

[taliv]

This is the high road, guys. The ONLY reasonable response to a very minor offense like that is polite conversation, and possibly taking your business elsewhere.

I strongly suspect all this talk about the RSO needing to call the sheriff because you would be belligerent is just childish, toothless internet braggadocio, hopefully by posters who are actually too young to own guns.


Seriously, you should think about what you post BEFORE you post it, as you're proving the anti's arguments!

Oh look! a totally minor offense like someone touching someone else's property, and guys are threatening violence. Imagine what would happen if they both had guns! Oh wait, they do. Well, we just can't allow guns in shooting ranges anymore. It's just not safe!

 

[Justin]

The RSO was absolutely wrong to search through the range bag without the owner's permission.

A bit of civility in asking to see the amunition would have gone a long way.

Unfortunately the RSO in question is the perfect example of a little man with a little power.

 

[Hatterasguy]

I just shoot at places without the Gestapo and other morons that sometimes need them.

Private ranges are the best, public ranges where you have to deal with that are just.

 

[killchain]

I'm an NRA RSO and at my club the SOP states RSO's are not to be challenged, what we say goes when on duty. You got a problem ,write a letter to the BOD.
Too many folks try to push the envelope, his approach was coarse but not inappropriate. You get belligerent the Sheriff is on speed dial.

Good luck looking through my bags without permission.

 

[GIJOEL]

Thanks for the responses I'll call the club when they open in the morning. I really like the club and facilities so hopefully they will let this guy go.

 

[gdesloge]

"This is the high road, guys. The ONLY reasonable response to a very minor offense like that is polite conversation, and possibly taking your business elsewhere."

Doesn't "The High Road" also imply that we follow the rules and the law as we understand them and that we expect others to do the same?

I am not advocating an emotional response at all. However, should not there be some repercussion for someone in a position of authority who breaks the law other than "polite conversation"? Such as answering to their superior or to the legal system?

I do not believe in two standards of behaviour.

gd

 

[achildofthesky]

Delete...

 

[taliv]

absolutely, gdesloge. that polite conversation could also include the range owner. (though it's not clear to me that any laws were broken)

 

[DasFriek]

I would have done as the OP unfortunately as im still rather new to ranges and RSO's.
Ive been asked at indoor ranges to have my ammo inspected as im sure most everyone here has, The key is being "asked".

I shoot at a DNR range in Ohio and the the RSO gets very unhappy if you step off the sidewalks and paths and step on his grass, For the love of god don't step on his grass!
Best RSO ive ever met too.

If i was the OP id never return and send a very unhappy email or phone call to the guys superiors.

 

[spyder1969]

Sounds like a wanna be Sheriff. We have constitutional laws that protect us from idiots like him!

 

[gdesloge]

Thank you for the response, taliv.

If I have a firearm in my possession, then I am responsible for it.

If someone were to attempt to touch or take it without my permission, then I would be irresponsible if I did not take that seriously.

gd

P.S. In the world of "customer service", you are doing the business a service if you report dissatisfaction with their "service". Often, customers just walk away without informing management about their problems.

 

[Zoidberg523]

Originally Posted by taliv
Oh look! a totally minor offense like someone touching someone else's property, and guys are threatening violence. Imagine what would happen if they both had guns! Oh wait, they do. Well, we just can't allow guns in shooting ranges anymore. It's just not safe!

I don't mean to openly question a Mod: I like this site.

BUT......

Since when is touching someone else's property a "totally minor offense"? You wouldn't like it much if I began rummaging through your wife's purse, or through your wallet. A range bag is just as personal as those things, only it usually contains much more sensitive and expensive items.

Plus....

Originally Posted by taliv
(though it's not clear to me that any laws were broken)

Pretty sure that we have privacy laws (which vary by county, but which never permit someone to trespass/meddle with private property without the owner's consent). Not to mention that we have a whole amendment devoted to it. -

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

4th Amendment - Which is not limited to law enforcement, as you can see. Indeed, any person (with the exception of a police officer with "probable cause", and possibly a school security guard/principal with same [though I believe only if the student is under 18]) must have a warrant to trespass upon or meddle with, your private property.

ETA - The only exception that I can think of would be if the range had a sign that specifically stated that they reserved the "right" to search any and all range bags, which I highly doubt that they have (who in their right mind would shoot there, if that was the case?).

 

[Tim the student]

I'd definitely have a problem with that.