by oldgunman on Sun Aug 27, 2017 11:25 am
Hey Citiot,
Please don't give up on the Burnsville Range. It is one of the only indoor ranges left south of the Minnesota river now that Gander Mountain has closed. I think you are being too harsh.
First of all, I expect many of my customers to be like I was when I was searching for my concealed carry weapon. I am 67 years old and have fired handguns since my first experience in the army with a 1911. I owned a home defense gun (Beretta 92FS), but wanted something more concealable for carry purposes. I had been a combat veteran and former military policeman and was comfortable with guns. But I believed I needed to fire the gun before I fully understood whether it was the right concealed carry weapon for me. I ended up going to Bill's Gun Shop and rented seven different handguns, some more than once, to check out what would be best for me. Being a Burnsville resident, I ended up driving over 25 miles to get to rent at Bill's for three or four sessions. And man was traffic ugly during rush hour. So I thought that it would be useful to anybody, new or experienced, to be able to rent guns down south of the river.
My point is that my customers will be a mix of experience levels and very few of them will be brand new shooters who have never fired a handgun before. When I get a brand new shooter, my whole approach is different. I emphasize that I am the Range Officer and that they need to listen to me. I warn them repeatedly to keep muzzle downrange, no trigger on the finger until ready to fire, and no loaded handguns will be passed between us (laid on table first). I am then right behind them as they begin to shoot and usually start them with a 22. I do not leave the lane. Only one round in the magazine to start! I have special compression technology headphones for my customers that allow the best communication possible. All during the shooting, I keep my eye on their muzzle direction and where their finger is on the trigger. I am there to help them through any operational issues or stoppage issues which is much more than most rental places provide. I have taken everything that I learned as a NRA certified pistol instructor and Range Safety Officer to create my protocol.
So come on Citiot- reconsider. I would welcome your suggestions for improving my approach to make it safer and make you comfortable to shoot at the Burnsville Range.
Sincerely,
Oldgunman
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer