Question on Safety

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CTGunner

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Here's a scenario I observed recently. The line is hot. The line is crowded. A shooter leaves the line and approaches the group of range safety officers at a table behind the range. The shooter says something to the effect of "are you guys watching the line?" RSO response - "Excuse Me?!". Shooter- "I'm seeing unsafe behavior on the line."

I believe the shooter was reacting to the fact that they were sitting down (i.e. not actively moving up and down the firing line) as well as looking at a photo album. The RSO was clearly offended (didn't like the "tone" of the question etc). I believe the shooter apologized for the way his comment came off but the RSO was upset, really upset. I think the RSO said get back on the line I'm getting angry. Nothing happened after that.

IMO an RSO has a responsibility not to get distracted. Then again, I haven't been through an RSO class so I don't really know what is acceptable and what isn't. Generally I think the shooter was correct and perhaps the RSO got upset because he knew that he himself was in the wrong. What's your take?
 
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I was Range Master on a central calif. handgun range. I was required to observe all shooters on the line and behind the line. Sitting down or looking at a photo album is not on the RM's agenda. Insuring all observing range safety and giving aide to shooter's problems was the only thing I was suppose to do. Believe me that, in its self, is a full time job.
 
I agree: happy-fun-photo-time is not when you are on duty as RSO. An RSO's complete attention ought to be focused on the range.

ETA- Sounds to me like the range officer didn't like being caught goofing off, was embarrassed, and had a tantrum.
 
I was Range Master on a central calif. handgun range. I was required to observe all shooters on the line and behind the line. Sitting down or looking at a photo album is not on the RM's agenda. Insuring all observing range safety and giving aide to shooter's problems was the only thing I was suppose to do. Believe me that, in its self, is a full time job.
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If you were a shooter on this particular line, what would you have done...would you have said something to the RSO? If so what would you have said?
 
Very simple CTGunner. I would not have confronted the RSO. I would have gone to the office and told his higher up. That would have kept it off the range where it didn't belong.
 
Very simple CTGunner. I would not have confronted the RSO. I would have gone to the office and told his higher up. That would have kept it off the range where it didn't belong.
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I get what you are saying. In this case, that wouldn't be possible. This is a state run operation. There is no office. The closest thing would be to call a higher up at some state office after the fact. When the range is open, the RSO on duty is at the top of the pyramid. Part of me wants to say, you know what it's not my problem and stay out of it, but I also have a vested personal interest in keeping the range as safe as possible.
 
Hmm, CTGunner, I think I might know the range you're talking about, but I'm not positive, if you're not comfortable posting it publicly can you shoot me a PM with the name?

Personally though, I think the better route would be if you notice unsafe behavior, maybe go up to the RSO(s) and say something like "Hey, I don't know if you noticed but, the guy in stall 5 is letting his barrel wander a lot and I've seen him flagging the line a few times."

Doing something like that I would think would get at least the one problem watched for specifically, and it should give them a little kick to pay more attention, without directly confronting them.

That's just my opinion though.
 
I think you did what you are supposed to do. The RO's reaction is not something you need worry about.
 
Honestly, I don't know how you guys/gals do it (dealing with big/formal public ranges).

I have all the respect in the world for range officers and supervisors. You hold a HUGE ammt. of responsibility in your hands, possibly with even DEADLY results for a mishap....

I guess I should be thankful that my range is usually me-myself-and I, my friends and/or my family. NONE of the headaches of the OP or other stories. My 'formal' range experience is limited to my police certifications and upkeep, and there is NO room for horseplay there at all. I can't imagine working at a place where everyone runs the gammut of experience, ethics, attitudes, etc.
I certainly would leave with a migrane every day.

There is a million and one ways you could approach the above problem like a formal letter of concern, setting up a meeting to discuss your thoughts, etc. but the whole dynamic seems full of ego (anywhere I mean, NOT this one situation) and reeks of a "know-it-all" mentality on BOTH sides of the equation. I think the OP did the right thing by mentioning something, but maybe the timing was off (????) Maybe I'm reacting too exclusively in that I only rely on NO.1 at the range because no-one is there to keep tabs on me. Seeing people show up at the range without a good basis of safety and respect would absolutely drive me up a wall.
 
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If any good came out of this situation it was that after the RSOs were confronted they became MUCH more engaged in 'patrolling' the line.
 
I wonder how I manage not to have horrific accidents shooting without range "safety" officers.
Somehow I and everyone else in the places I shoot manages, even at the rental ranges I visit once in a while.
 
I wonder how I manage not to have horrific accidents shooting without range "safety" officers. Somehow I and everyone else in the places I shoot manages, even at the rental ranges I visit once in a while.
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Seriously? Accidents at gun ranges do happen. I have never been hit by a drunk driver, nor have any of my friends, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen quite regularly.
 
Just finished the NRA RSO class yesterday. I can tell you that sitting and looking at photos is NOT in their RSO job description.
 
The RO may have that responsibility, but most are volunteers.

I generally head home or just watch if I see lots of folks shooting. I just don't want to deal with all the noise and formality. That's why I often drive an hour to a small free range when I have a membership at a place 10 minutes from my house.
 
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