range paranoia

[3twelves]

Had thoughts walking down the range to change targets adding up the cost of the rifle sitting on the bench unsupervised thinking it wouldn't be hard to take me out with my own rifle or walk off with it. Not much I would be able to do with a pistol at 200+ yards.

 

[Plan2Live]

How about a slightly different angle. I'm a volunteer RSO at a public range. The RSO's are allowed to open carry while on duty. It's always in the back of my mind that if someone goes rogue the RSO is a likely target, espcially if it's during a cease fire. Am I paranoid?

 

[22-rimfire]

My rule #1... NEVER EVER leave keys in the car even if you are only stepping out for a minute like running into the post office to drop off a letter.
Rule #2: Lock that car if there is anything inside it that you don't want to loose.

There is no practical way to "protect" your stuff at a public range if you are shooting alone. You walk up to a target and someone could walk away with whatever you left at your shooting spot. Do the best you can and be a little paranoid.

 

[scaatylobo]

YES

Always been on my mind IF the range appears empty except for myself.

I always keep a check on my '6' as I go down range.

And I do not go alone if its to the 100 + yard range unless all guns are secured as well as ammo.

And I will still be armed with a CCW,not that I would ever want to see how I faired against a rifle at 100 + yards.

And I was an LEO during the infamous Miami shootout and yes,I knew where they had gotten a few of their guns.

 

[tacxted]

Ive never thought about this topic. I have a story to share about it though.

Two days ago I was at a gravel pit where alot of people like to target shoot. I was testing loads that I made for my 9mm. Im new to reloading so I was focused on all of the information I was reading from my targets, then I heard, BANG , BANG! Two guys had driven into the pit and set up on a ridge shooting clay birds. They were in a safe direction and so was I. What suprised me is that I didnt know they were there untill I heard the gun shots!

 

[dcarch]

Originally Posted by Cosmoline
Yes, Rev. McCalla. His killers were brought to justice.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/...-McCalla-trial

So no it isn't paranoia. Particularly at isolated ad-hoc ranges with no range master. Always a good idea to use a buddy system and be very suspicious of guys wanting to see your firearms.

Never expect this kind of scum to show mercy. These animals murdered a man of the cloth when the most they were in danger of was a sermon on the evils of stealing. They'll kill any of us given a chance. For our firearms or for fun.

And don't be fooled by appearances. These killers were white and likely pretended to be legitimate vets even though both were deserters.

^That's awful. Very sorry for this family's loss. Yes, I have been paranoid at the range before. I had a very bad incident with a bump firing drunk at the range about two years back, and never have really had my faith in public ranges restored since. That's why I now shoot at a private range in the back of a corn field. Very secluded, and you can see anyone who approaches from a long way off.

 

[22-rimfire]

I only take one firearm at a time to my shooting station at a public range. It is tempting to carry a whole bag full of handguns if you plan on shooting them. Theoretically you could loose thousands of dollars when you walk up to check or change a target. You could also loose your life from one of your own firearms.

There is something to be said for shooting handguns at 100 yd targets.

 

[Tinpig]

I like to shoot alone at my rifle range.

It's in a remote area and behind a locked gate but I'm always aware that someone who doesn't belong there could walk in or show up on an ATV or dirt bike.

I always carry a pistol anyway, and if I'm alone at the range, I carry the rifle I'm shooting on a sling when I go downrange, with a mag or two in my pocket. As someone else said, it's an Army habit. Anything I'm not using stays locked in the truck.

Obviously if other members are there, it's actions open and step away from the bench during a ceasefire.

I'm not paranoid, just cautious, and increasingly distrustful of my fellow man.

Tinpig

 

[rduckwor]

Lock your truck, always put your target up first before unloading. ALWAYS wear a side arm to the rifle range.

Problem solved. I believe I could discourage thieves even at 100 yds with my 1911.

RMD

 

[JohnB]

Use the buddy system. Take turns changing targets.

And why in the world would you ever leave your keys in the car?

That pretty much covers it.

 

[taraquian]

You most definately need to be cautious and aware if you are alone at the range. I posted earlier this year about going to get my targets and turning around with them only to see a grubby fellow with my brand new 1911 in his hand

Now I keep all my guns in the trunk of the car,laid out so I can get whatever I want/need in or out easily, I also carry my 1911 or my CZ on me the whole time and remove my ear protection (if there is no one shooting) as that was how I didn't hear my mystery guest approaching. I try to take someone with me but I shoot every weekend when the weather is nice and my shooting partners are only available 2 weekends a month.

Be safe out there

 

[bobinoregon]

When I used to go to a private club range years ago by myself, I never left a gun in the rack, it either went back in the locked pickup or down range with me. When you are a couple hundred yards away or better and somebody wants it, that gun is gone.

 

[KTXdm9]

Platt and Matix robbed and shot a couple of target shooters.

Don't leave your keys in the vehicle when you're nowhere around!

I second that.

 

[sgtstryker]

The last gun club I was about 40 miles away. We had pistol, rifle and skeet ranges,but, it was very close to US 75, with access. The rules stated to close and lock the gate on entering and leaving, but there always seemed to be those that would not follow this rule. Anything can happen, I would always carry my carbine downrange. Where I shoot now is much the same only there are LE living on the property. On a side note, the other range was closed by the FAA after we cleared some property to build a 3-D archery shoot. An official could see the skeet tower from a runway, were too close to the airport..

 

[Trent]

On a side note, the other range was closed by the FAA after we cleared some property to build a 3-D archery shoot. An official could see the skeet tower from a runway, were too close to the airport..

What, they think you were going to take down an aircraft with a shotgun?

Don't they understand physics?

 

[Reefinmike]

What, they think you were going to take down an aircraft with a shotgun?

Don't they understand physics?

I used to do trap shooting here!

http://goo.gl/maps/zc1lH

I was 14 or so at the time and never thought of it, but then I drove by it on my way to a gun store recently and was like WOAH, I was shooting at an airport! however it does appear the place is no longer operational. it looks as if the airports runways were expanded. no way they'd allow shooting that close to a runway

 

[Warp]

According to most posters in the body armour thread, if you worry about getting shot at the range, you should never go there to begin with. You need a new range.

Here it is: Might as well read it if you haven't, it goes in a pretty similar direction. Well, in that thread people base it on being accidentally shot...I think this thread would be even less likely (shot intentionally)

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=688189

 

[smalls]

Don't they understand physics?

Believe me, the FAA is almost as stupid as the ATF.

They may have a fear of shot getting into engines, though. Which WILL destroy the compressor.

Idk how far the range was from the runway, though.

 

[Trent]

Believe me, the FAA is almost as stupid as the ATF.

They may have a fear of shot getting into engines, though. Which WILL destroy the compressor.

Idk how far the range was from the runway, though.

You made me think of "the golden BB"...

.... and now I have to go watch Air America again.

 

[coloradokevin]

This kind of stuff has definitely happened before, as you mentioned. When at ranges where I consider the threat of such action to be a possibility (national forest, unsupervised public ranges, etc) I'll typically leave a shooting buddy at the firing line, or take a gun down-range with me.

I used to shoot at a now-defunct public range near Colorado Springs, and often shot there alone. More than one time I found that unsavory individuals were showing up there during my visits, including a car load of dressed out gang members during one trip. As such, I started slinging my AR-15 when I went downrange to change targets. Doing so prevented it from being stolen, and also gave me a very viable means of defense if someone decided to rob me at that location.

Anyway, you aren't being paranoid by worrying about this stuff, and I think it is smart to consider the possibility that this is a risk in some areas. I don't worry about it at my primary range these days, since I shoot at a private members-only club, where the firing line is located about 1/2 a mile down a road behind a locked gate.

 

[Onward Allusion]

I usually go to the range when it's quiet, and I'm usually the only one out. Believe me, it's not paranoia. Where else can a criminal find a stash of guns just sitting there with loaded mags and its owner 100 yards or more down range? If I were a BG in need of a firearm or two, I would stake out a quiet public range or even a private club with woods near the shooting station.

Fortunately, I'm a pistol shooter so my targets aren't far downrange at all. That and I have a full size loaded pistol strapped on. I just started on longer distance rifle and I think I'll be walking down to the targets with my rifle or at the very least the bolt.

 

[DurangoKid]

Back in the late 1970s I had 2 friends murdered for their firearms. They were changing targets on a isolated shooting range in the Big Horn Basin in Wyoming. A stranger picked up one of their rifles from a bench and shot both of them. He was later caught selling their guns and etc. I always change targets with a 1911 on my belt.

 

[BBDartCA]

From a practical standpoint, would a thief want to try to steal a gun or something else at a range when there is probably a very good chance somebody armed is probably not too far off? Thieves like convenience and getting into a shoot out can ruin a day.

 

[David White]

I don't know what kind of ranges you have in your state but at mine, my guns are with me at all times.
I always carry two guns to the range. The one I plan to shoot and the other one concealed, in case of a close encounter of the wrong kind.
My range is in the middle of now where and has no range officer or authority figure of any kind.
My guns never leave my hands while I'm there.

 

[Ignition Override]

Do you guys remember reading about a firefight at a rifle range parking lot? Maybe within the last few years.

I can't remember whether a regular break-up or possible divorce was in the works, but I remember that one or two people were seriously injured or died.
My impression is that it was in the Florida Panhandle, possibly Ft. Walton Beach or Pensacola.