strange occurance at the gun range

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goinghot

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Hi guys i was at a gun range that is unsupervised on sat. there was 5 of us we had over 6 hand guns 8 long rifles and 4 shotguns. after we set up at 1st light other ppl started to show up and start shooting then lots of ppl showed up. amoung them were 2 guys w no guns to shoot they just were haging out by the back of our truck where we had all the weapons we wernt shooting at that moment. they were in there late 20s i think and after awile we started to get a little uncomfortable. after about 45 min of them just hanging out i said to one of my friends are they going to try to steal some thing. my friend thought the same thing so i told my grp i was going to ask the 2 guys to plz go hang out some where else that they were making us a little uncomfortable. was i wrong in doing this? bwas i rude?
 
ok i went up to them and said hey not to b rude but you guys are mkeng my grp and i unconfortable by hanging out at the back end of our truck and just watching. the one guy said its a free country. i told him it is but you guys are at a shooting range w no guns haging out at our truck so could you pls go hang out some where else. then i was a called a dick. then they left
 
As they could offer no other explanation other than "Its a free country" I would also assume they were up to no good. After I'm done shooting at my range its not uncommon for me to take a seat and watch the Skeet guys go at it, just for something to do, but I wouldn't act so hostile when confronted.
 
I would have politely pointed out that I have a loaded gun and you don't.Some people have to have things explained to them! Lightman
 
Friendly tip: Poor grammar can really take away from what you are trying to communicate.

I wouldn't have waited 45 minutes to say or do something.
 
Yeah, I would not have waited either.

But I disagree with lightman, they were just standing there, had things escalated or there was a need... I of course would have used my weapon in any appropriate manner. But guns are not for intimidation, particularly against people who are doing nothing more than standing closer than you want to your vehicle in a public parking area.
 
You were in the right. That said, I try to avoid any problems when guns are around. They may have been psychos and pulled out a pistol. I know this is not likely, but they WERE at a firearms range. I may have turned the truck around so I could watch better. Minimally, I would have put the guns in the locked truck. This would let them know that you are on to them.
 
I probably was not clear about my reply.That is what I would have said after I ask them to move on,and they smarted off.I have let strangers shoot up hundreds of dollars of ammo,just to get someone new introduced to the shooting sports,and I have taken new hunters hunting and paid to have their deer processed. But, I have no plan to let someone intimidate me,or steal from me.I am also not bashful about letting someone know this.Sorry about any misunderstanding,or hurt feelings. Lightman
 
lightman said:
I probably was not clear about my reply.That is what I would have said after I ask them to move on,and they smarted off.I have let strangers shoot up hundreds of dollars of ammo,just to get someone new introduced to the shooting sports,and I have taken new hunters hunting and paid to have their deer processed. But, I have no plan to let someone intimidate me,or steal from me.I am also not bashful about letting someone know this.Sorry about any misunderstanding,or hurt feelings. Lightman
Click to expand...
Fair enough, I retract my previous statement.
 
No problem,its hard to add everything with a keyboard that you would say in person,and I type slow.And Thanks,no hard feelings. Lightman
 
I used to be a member of a local neighborhood range where everyone had a key to the gate. Our one stedfast rule was that the gate was to remain closed and locked at all times ESPECIALLY when you were there shooting.
 
FWIW......I catch people stealing for a living, (loss Prevention) and your gut feeling or first impression is usually correct. They were probably up to no good.
 
It's kind of hard to say from here. You had to go with your gut and it wasn't telling you these guys were enthusiasts.
 
The range I use is unsupervised and it's 12 miles from anywhere, in the middle of wheat farms in north Idaho. I was out there once last winter with the gate locked, my car was the only one in the range. I turned around when I was done with a magazine of 9mm and there were two guys standing there watching me. I was about to ask for their membership cards when they turned and walked out real fast.

To the OP: You did the right thing.
 
Weird, haven't had that problem at my local range...
But I either keep my guns on the line or locked inside
and I see nothing wrong with asking them to leave

Did the pay range fees?
what exactly are the doing
politely saying, hey, we are set up here and you are in our stuff, can you move it over some, is fine, the called me a dick, well, I would take that up with management, as they don't like lurkers.
 
You placed temptation in the back of your pickup. I used to shoot at gravel pits and leave gun and ammo there, then walk to the target. On a 1/4 mile walk to such a target, a group pulled up And thought a gun was left there,until they spotted me. They could have taken everything and left with me too far away and no way to say otherwise. I carry the rifle now or pack a handgun. IHO You handled the situation well but do it sooner. I keep mine near me or locked up in the truck. Keeps honest people honest. Have fun and bangaway.
 
My method...

I would have approached them with a big grin and a "How's it goin', Gentlemen?" That would have communicated that I (with my group to back me up) was in total control.

Then I might have suggested that they might be more comfortable, not to mention safer, right up closer to the firing line; I might've even offered them a seat. After all, "standing behind a truck like that can be hazardous, y'know, and we wouldn't want you fellows to get hurt". All said with the aforementioned big grin; I find that usually gets the point across without threats or impoliteness.

The trick, I believe, is not to let on that they make you uncomfortable, but rather to make them uncomfortable.
 
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Though it is a rare, sometimes a youth group has an event at our LGS range. You cannot avoid the hyperactive young men who overreact (loud, immature) and stare like monkeys through the back window.

The last time it happened, I set my weapons down, ensuring that the young men could observe safe handling procedures, and located their group leader. He got an earful about minding his charges. Sometimes you just cannot take kids to adult places.
 
Even at the range, the guns I'm not shooting or on the shooting bench with me are LOCKED in my vehicle. They can stand by my car all they want and I don't have to worry unless they break into it which I will see and hear.
 
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