Sigh,
This will be my last post in this thread because it's making me ill, although for some reason I am compelled to reply again. I'm dumbfounded and shocked at some of the replies.
Is it any wonder why outdoor ranges are becoming a thing of the past, and why liability insurance is so outrageous?
Don't get involved! As long as they aren't hurting you let them have their fun!
I wonder, if you saw someone keying cars at the grocery parking lot would you just let them have fun as long as they stay away from your car?
Live and let live. Don't be a petty tyrant.
Is that what we call people who see unsafe activity and take enough initiative to simply
say something? No one is advocating taking any overt action such as telling them to leave or any such thing. Simply getting involved to the level of
saying something in a friendly manner.
I also belong to an indoor range in Pflugerville.
redneck2 got it right describing the walls and the ceiling! It's laughable. But the indoor range (1) will let anyone shoot there who pays the range fee; (2) has an RO watching shooters and to enforce rules at all times; (3) has walls and ceilings so any gun pointing down range can pretty well be considered "safe".
The outdoor range we have been discussing is (1) a private range for members only; (2) requires an orientation course; (3) has rules against this sort of thing which are discussed in orientation AND are visibly posted at each range; (4) requires new members to demonstrate proper gun handling and ability to shoot at the range as a part of orientation; (5) specifically says in the rules that members are requested and required to monitor each other to insure safe practices are being followed.
Frequently when I go to the range I am the only one there; especially if I go on a weekday. But if I saw the activity described in the original post I would gently and in a friendly manner (non-confrontationally) caution the father that he should ask his kids to slow down a bit and keep their shots safely aimed.
MisterPX asked: Did you see where his rounds were going?
This is a great question! If you see shots impacting the lower half of the berm then let them have fun. But if you see shots impacting the upper part of the berm then you can be sure there is a problem and you
should speak up.
I know most gun owners believe in self-reliance and individualism. I am completely in agreement with that and live my life that way. But, that does not mean that we have no responsibility to each other or that we should close our eyes to what goes on around us as long as we don't feel personally threatened by what we see.
But, maybe that's just me.
Best regards,
ChickenHawk