I don't know about the idea that I am unfriendly and paranoid. Boy you Bozos are really out to get me.
I show my guns to other people, on my terms, and I always like bringing up guns in conversations. I'll let just about anyone handle my guns, again on my terms so that I can be sure it is safe and approriate to do so. To be honest I have noticed a general increase in the lack of respect for other people's property over the last few years, not just thievery but general daily interactions among people and possessions. I suppose some of that spills over into every area of society including guns. Your mileage may vary.
In my experience communication at the range is often very difficult because of the noise and hearing protection, so hand gestures are more common and the ability to converse almost impossible at times. Add eye protection and barricades and shooters are at a disadvantage to their surroundings and the actions of others. Why should situational awareness be relaxed just because it's a range and not another gathering among strangers? If someone intentionally or unintentionally grabbed your gun or range bag how long would it take for you to notice? Do you always have all of your guns in your hand or in your field of view? I doubt it. If someone started to intentionally shoot people at the range, how long would it take for you to notice? I don't have all the answers nor do I really expect a final solution but I do think it is interesting to at least consider these things.
Do I trust other shooters more than strangers in public just because they are at a shooting range? No. Do I relax my safe gun handling rules, including retention and preventing unapproved access to others just because I am at the range? No.
I have seen some really stupid things happen at the range over the years - negligent discharges, tense verbal attacks, cops being called, kids unsupervised, lots of swiping... not to mention all of the news and personal accounts here on gun forums of suicides, people accidentally shooting themselves/others etc... So maybe I do come off as being more cautious at the range than others. Thankfully Strykervet and a few others seem to know where I am coming from so there is hope that I am not delusional or paranoid.
If I let a young woman shoot my gun and hot brass causes her to shoot herself or me, I am responsible. I gave my gun to someone who was not capable of safely firing it without knowing how to deal with a common range hazard. If someone uses my gun to cause harm and I could have prevented it the same thing applies whether it was a child or thief or suicide mission or just a mistake *if I could have prevented it*. Everyone has their own line in the sand to cross between safety and having fun. One can't prevent all bad situations in life and I am certainly not trying to lock down the ranges with sterile militaristic conduct and nanny state rules. In fact the opposite - I do see some problems that happen every so often at the ranges and I believe a free society can self-regulate and inform each other with that First Amendment so that the Second Amendment can be exercised properly.
