What do you like to see in a Range Safety Officer?
- Thread starter Andrewsky
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GlowinPontiac
Member
I would like to see somebody who is professional and serious about his job yet friendly and not a range nazi. Somebody who can point out a minor mistake and the seriousness of gun safety without trying to make the offender feel like an idiot.
I dont like RO's who think they know everything and want to be treated like a god just because they work at the range.
I dont like RO's who think they know everything and want to be treated like a god just because they work at the range.
smullen
Member
Agreed 100%
I might add Firm, Yet Friendly, helpful to the newbies and be approachable...
possum
Member
i like the guys that allow you to do and shoot as you lease as long as they are safe while they are doing it. with that said, i have been to only two ranges that have had these, well in the civilian sector that is. most ranges that i go to and the ones i frequent most don't have rso's.
Robert Hairless
Member
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- Oct 11, 2003
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Andrewsky, what would you like to see in a range safety officer when you're on the range?
I like to see that they have all their fingers in tact.
Seriously, courtesy. I don't mind firmness as long as it is respectful. I'm a serious-type shooter. My enjoyment comes from making personal improvements more than the social aspect. If I commit a faux pas, I expect to be corrected just like anyone else.
Good luck
Seriously, courtesy. I don't mind firmness as long as it is respectful. I'm a serious-type shooter. My enjoyment comes from making personal improvements more than the social aspect. If I commit a faux pas, I expect to be corrected just like anyone else.
Good luck
Phil DeGraves
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Proficiency - They have to be able to perform at a masterful level.
Knowledge - they have to know what they are talking about.
Analytical/Creativity - They have to be able to see why techniques don't work and come up with ways that do.
Patience/Approachability/Courteous - They must be firm in maintaining Range safety, but not judgemental and must be willing to help those that struggle.
Integrity - They must hold everyone to the same standard of performance regardless of rank.
Ability to Communicate - they must be able to convey the information to their students effectively.
Enthusiasm/Passion - They must have a genuine interest and voracious appetite for the topic and an almost evangelical desire to share this knowledge with others and help others improve.
Flexible - They cannot be so rigid in their thinking that they are not open to new ideas.
Knowledge - they have to know what they are talking about.
Analytical/Creativity - They have to be able to see why techniques don't work and come up with ways that do.
Patience/Approachability/Courteous - They must be firm in maintaining Range safety, but not judgemental and must be willing to help those that struggle.
Integrity - They must hold everyone to the same standard of performance regardless of rank.
Ability to Communicate - they must be able to convey the information to their students effectively.
Enthusiasm/Passion - They must have a genuine interest and voracious appetite for the topic and an almost evangelical desire to share this knowledge with others and help others improve.
Flexible - They cannot be so rigid in their thinking that they are not open to new ideas.
MilsurpShooter
Member
Someone who's knowledgeable, easy to approach, will offer advice and help out if they can. Someone who, while enforcing the rules and notifying those of mistakes does so with some discretion.
For example, someone shoots through a sandbag because they have it too far forward doesn't deserve the same scolding and yelling someone would get if they swept the entire firing line with a loaded firearm (seen both happen)
A range I went to in Connecticut had a range officer I didn't care for. Very Stern, not that it's a bad thing but anything you asked him for it seemed like you were annoying him. He told me what lane to shoot on however I missed the number he said due to the sound of a .50 caliber going off behind us. Asked again and he kind of sneered and huffed as he repeated himself. People would ask for targets he'd give them an annoyed stare before he got up to get them, then would slam them on the table. This is where I saw him go into a tirade when a guy accidentally put a round through the sandbag. Overall the guy just didn't want to be there I don't think.
For example, someone shoots through a sandbag because they have it too far forward doesn't deserve the same scolding and yelling someone would get if they swept the entire firing line with a loaded firearm (seen both happen)
A range I went to in Connecticut had a range officer I didn't care for. Very Stern, not that it's a bad thing but anything you asked him for it seemed like you were annoying him. He told me what lane to shoot on however I missed the number he said due to the sound of a .50 caliber going off behind us. Asked again and he kind of sneered and huffed as he repeated himself. People would ask for targets he'd give them an annoyed stare before he got up to get them, then would slam them on the table. This is where I saw him go into a tirade when a guy accidentally put a round through the sandbag. Overall the guy just didn't want to be there I don't think.
XDKingslayer
member
I like to see someone who is first and foremost aware and paying attention to their surroundings but at the same time is willing to chat with people without shirking his duties.
My favorite range officer is a guy that used to work at a local range. He had no trouble correcting someone politely the first time. If it was something little, he'd tell them again, this time a little more firm and explain to them why. If it was something stupid, you were gone.
But at the same time he had problem talking to me, my wife and my daughter. He told them how well they were shooting and how it's nice to see more wives and kids at the range.
He also didn't interject himself into other people's business even though he had a better idea or way of doing something, but at the same time if you asked him for help he was personable, helpful and offered a few ways of doing something.
My favorite range officer is a guy that used to work at a local range. He had no trouble correcting someone politely the first time. If it was something little, he'd tell them again, this time a little more firm and explain to them why. If it was something stupid, you were gone.
But at the same time he had problem talking to me, my wife and my daughter. He told them how well they were shooting and how it's nice to see more wives and kids at the range.
He also didn't interject himself into other people's business even though he had a better idea or way of doing something, but at the same time if you asked him for help he was personable, helpful and offered a few ways of doing something.
take the nra rso class first. you will get some good ideas from the class as to just what is safe and what is not.
your job is making sure the people shooting are doing so in a safe manner. but, there is no reason you cannot be helpful and polite at the same time.
do not pretend to be an expert on anything you are not.
your job is making sure the people shooting are doing so in a safe manner. but, there is no reason you cannot be helpful and polite at the same time.
do not pretend to be an expert on anything you are not.
No one has mentioned appearance yet, and while it may sound a bit trivial, I think it's important. A professional appearance will go a long way to helping people respect your authority on the range. Lots of times I've encountered RSOs wearing jeans and T-shirts with shaggy beards and crumbs on their clothes, and it although I wouldn't disobey their range commands, they just didn't inspire confidence. Wear khakis or a polo shirt or something. Trim any facial hair you have, stay clean etc. You never know when someone's going to bring an open-minded anti to the range, and seeing a RSO who looks straight out of Deliverance isn't going to help our cause.
bogie
Member
Common sense, and intelligence.
I like my pistol-calibre carbines for plinking.
I can't shoot them on the pistol range. They are "centerfire rifles" and they had problems with blithering geniuses shooting steel core out of AKs and ARs and destroying the targets.
So, no centerfire rifles. Even with light .38 specials.
The "fun" reactive targets are on the pistol range.
I like my pistol-calibre carbines for plinking.
I can't shoot them on the pistol range. They are "centerfire rifles" and they had problems with blithering geniuses shooting steel core out of AKs and ARs and destroying the targets.
So, no centerfire rifles. Even with light .38 specials.
The "fun" reactive targets are on the pistol range.
bogie
Member
Conqueror...
The range officer isn't in sales. He's there, either being paid little, or as a volunteer.
I'm probably going to get trained the next go-round. I wear jeans, tie-dyes, and I've got a beard that I am NOT going to trim up. If I wanted to look like a cell phone salesman, I'd go into that line of work.
The range officer isn't in sales. He's there, either being paid little, or as a volunteer.
I'm probably going to get trained the next go-round. I wear jeans, tie-dyes, and I've got a beard that I am NOT going to trim up. If I wanted to look like a cell phone salesman, I'd go into that line of work.
Henry Bowman
Senior Member
Somebody who thinks it's OK to have fun shooting...
Somebody who thinks practicing things that would be useful to self defense (as opposed to rigid stance, slow fire to a bullseye target) is OK...
Somebody who thinks practicing things that would be useful to self defense (as opposed to rigid stance, slow fire to a bullseye target) is OK...
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
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- 3,700
I appreciate a friendly Hello. Not touching my guns or rifles. Paying attention to the line NOT watching TV or playing on the computer.
A, " Thank you", Nice to see you", "come again" would be nice before leaving.
A, " Thank you", Nice to see you", "come again" would be nice before leaving.
Logan 5
Member
Range Officer
A lot of insight here. Apart from the importance of the position (safety), it is important to be able to interact with all sorts of different people and keep the range a place where people want to go.
Some folks want to get a lane on the end and be by themselves, focusing on what they are doing. Others have conversations with fellow shooters and like to ogle what the guy/gal next to them is shooting.
The RO is not my buddy. I don't care if he is Steve McQueen cool or has zero personality.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HE KEEPS HIS EYE ON THE LINE AND THE FOLKS ON IT.
I have been to a couple ranges where the RO simply checks you in and then you are off to the line with other shooters without anyone checking up on the line. I have not gone back due to the safety factor. I don't trust anyone else with a firearm. The RO is there to see a dangerous situation and quell it while that I am focused downrange.
I am sure that you'll do great, especially if you have the passion like most everyone else here does.
A lot of insight here. Apart from the importance of the position (safety), it is important to be able to interact with all sorts of different people and keep the range a place where people want to go.
Some folks want to get a lane on the end and be by themselves, focusing on what they are doing. Others have conversations with fellow shooters and like to ogle what the guy/gal next to them is shooting.
The RO is not my buddy. I don't care if he is Steve McQueen cool or has zero personality.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HE KEEPS HIS EYE ON THE LINE AND THE FOLKS ON IT.
I have been to a couple ranges where the RO simply checks you in and then you are off to the line with other shooters without anyone checking up on the line. I have not gone back due to the safety factor. I don't trust anyone else with a firearm. The RO is there to see a dangerous situation and quell it while that I am focused downrange.
I am sure that you'll do great, especially if you have the passion like most everyone else here does.
eagle45
Member
Apply all the rules fairly across the board. Don't let your friends get by with things that others cannot. Let your friends know that while you are serving as the RO you are the RO first, their friend second. This is one of my biggest gripes at a local range. One RO in particular will talk with his friends that he used to work with, then ignore the needs of the shooters completely.
During a cease fire, do not let anyone handle their weapons. I know, I know they are always unloaded, but don't allow it anyway.
During a cease fire, do not let anyone handle their weapons. I know, I know they are always unloaded, but don't allow it anyway.
Mainsail
Member
Absence
CountGlockula
Member
Certification.
That's pretty much all you need.
Also, remember you're a "Safety Officer" NOT an Instructor. Make sure those that don't know what they're doing are kindly escorted out of the range.
And make sure the customers show you that they are proficient in using a weapon BEFORE they enter the range...it'll save a lot of hassles and lives.
That's pretty much all you need.
Also, remember you're a "Safety Officer" NOT an Instructor. Make sure those that don't know what they're doing are kindly escorted out of the range.
And make sure the customers show you that they are proficient in using a weapon BEFORE they enter the range...it'll save a lot of hassles and lives.
Sav .250
Member
Somebody who is always aware of what is going on all the time. Hot and cold
range conditions.
range conditions.
Geronimo45
Member
Heh. Got to agree with you there. The range near me has an RSO, but he never bothered me. Apparently helped a lady shooter nearby, however. Since it's got the targets on... electric thingamajigs, no need to call a cease fire to get to your target or send it out. It's the Bullet Trap, in Plano - and the gun store and range sections are very well run.
The RSO should leave people be when possible. Be polite at all times, firm when you have to enforce rules.
On busy days, I like to have an RSO help with cease fires. You get some clueless people who don't notice the 6 of us all waiting with targets and they keep shooting away, oblivious to everything. The RSO makes it much easier. On light days, RSOs can and should maintain more of a distance.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
That right there has to be up there near the top.
I am reminded of something I had happen to me a couple of years ago at a local indoor range.
The RSO came over to admire one of my SAA Colt .45's, as he said he had never got to handle a real Colt before.
I, being a great guy, offered to let him shoot it.
So he loaded it with 6 rounds,
and promptly shot a hole in the ceiling with it.
Seems pointing the gun straight up while cocking it, with your finger in the trigger guard, then "throwing down" on the target is not the best or safest way to shoot SAA's!
Then he chewed me out for having a "hair-trigger" gun on his range.
BTW: He was a bit of a "Range Nazi" also!
I haven't been back since!
rcmodel
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