Yes, Rev. McCalla. His killers were brought to justice.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news...robbery-second-degree-murder-in-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.
Dude.. that is horrible.
I'm thinking back to a couple of things that have happened at the range just this year, and now I got a chill up my spine.
I was out there with a friend and we went out to check / replace targets at the 200 yard mark; while out there a motorcycle rolled up. Usually I'm cool about motorcycles but I didn't recognize this guy (it's a small private club) and I had a gut feeling. As we're walking back he gets off the bike and starts looking at what's on the benches.
Anyway we pass the 100 yard mark on the way back, I don't think he's seen us yet, or doesn't seem to care. He goes over to the table where my buddy's AR is sitting on a bipod and picks up a magazine from Mike's "loaded" stack (empties are sitting in another pile).
I pick up my pace and by the 50 yard mark I've got my rifle off it's sling and in my hands, dude is still holding the mag and looking at the AR15.
I yell "YOU LOOKING FOR SOMEONE?" and he looks up to see us come around the 50 yard berm.
Puts the mag down.
We get back and my buddy Mike is upset at this dude who had just been going through his stuff.
Guy shifts around a bit and says "Hey you seen Larry around?"
"No, no Larry here. You a member, I haven't seen you before?"
"No, just looking for Larry. See you later." Turns around, gets on his motorcycle, and rolls off.
He might have been looking for Larry; or might not.
But after reading that story about Rev McCalla man.. my short hairs are all tingly. Never been in a gunfight, don't WANT to be in a gunfight.
Thinking back to the amount of times I've expended ALL of my ammunition at the range and drove off with a bag of empty magazines... I think that's gotta change too.
When it's dark, I'm alone, and locking the gate to the range... in the middle of nowhere.. yeah that's an easy target.