Range idiots

[Drizzle]

I was shooting at Bill's North today, and had a few fools not following the rules disrupt and end my range time. First were the guys to my right in the rifle bay sighting in what looked like their deer guns. One took the soft case off of his pump shotgun at the back bench and walked to the firing line with it swinging around. Then his buddy, who seemed to be the more experienced of the two, stood around while shotgun boy sighted in with his BAR held in his arms, muzzle to the wall, like a bird hunter walking across the corn, hunting pheasant. I wandered out and asked the range staff to mention to them to uncase on the line only, and this was done, and i heard them speaking about 'getting in trouble'. Ok, whatever.

Next, the guy to my right assembled his Beretta semi auto shotgun, tried it out, and left it sticking out of the plastic case, muzzle aimed at me whenever I would walk back to my range bag on the counter in the back. Then, as I was loading mags, I turned and saw him take a Springer XD out of his duffel on the back shelf and cover me with the muzzle as he walked up to the firing line. About that time I decided I was done.

I went out front and mentioned what had happened to the range officers, and they said the guy with the Beretta shotgun and the XD was an old range hand, who probably thought he knew better than to follow the rules to uncase on the line. They gave me a token for a free visit, which was nice, but I wonder if they spoke to Mr XD later. The funniest thing was that the woman running the range counter asked me if I knew all the rules when I signed in. I didn't expect to be reporting so many safety violations for other people during my range time.

Would you have packed up? i still had a .22 Beretta I wanted to shoot, but these guys were getting on my nerves. And I wonder how much the range officers pay attention to what's going on out there all the time, like I imagine they're paid to. It's the closest range to me, so I'll probably keep going there, but it's a little disconcerting.

[princewally]

I not only would have packed up, but I would have said something to the shooters immediately.

[macphisto]

Unfortunately, as you've discovered, Bill's is not a good place to shoot if you're uncomfortable having guns pointed at you. A lot of newbies, once-a-year shooters (twice, if they're lucky), as well as experienced shooters that think the rules don't apply coupled with lazy rules enforcement makes every range trip there an adventure.

[mrokern]

That's a big reason why I prefer BPR. Roger and Sue will not tolerate that crap.

If I get swept, first time is usually a polite-ish reminder. After that, it's a "what the h-e-double hockey sticks do you think you're doing??????" as I get the RSO's attention. I don't do well with guns pointed at me.

-Mark

[1911fan]

I usually don't fret such things IF and it's A Big IF they are otherwise being safe. I mean not loading the gun behind the line. Or showing any loss of muzzle control once they pick it up. It's hard with multiple shooters in one bay not to leave the line uncased if you have a large bag set on the rear table. If people start to act like they don't understand the four rules I will leave, leave till they are done, request a new lane or ask to move to the other room. If were to see a closed action being handled carelesssly I will speak up. If I see see someone with an uncased revolver with a finger through the cylinder window or an auto with the slide back and the muzzle down I have no trouble.

[MostlyHarmless]

The range where I learned how to shoot permitted unloaded guns with the action open away from the firing line. No, it's not as safe, mainly because it's more difficult to monitor compliance, and I'm not advocating that we go back there, but at the same time it's not something I would necessarily make a big deal about.

[45usp45]

I don't stay where there are idiots with guns.
I shoot where the members are gun savvy or on private land.

[RobD]

Well at least you have a token to go and do it all again!

[bstrawse]

I usually shoot at Bill's North -- in these situations, I've always said something to the shooters and then reported it to the staff. Had one guy ejected from the range back in July or so after repeating his safety violations.

i would agree though that I see more issues there than say, Oakdale, where I shoot from time to time.
b

[mmcnx2]

I am pretty aggresive with shooters pointing guns at me, I tell them nicely once to stop, the second time is not so nice.

Bill's is nice place to shoot, unfortantely used by alot idiots. Between the poor muzzle control and the brass hounds, I have not been there in a few months. I'm with some of the other folks, if the chamber is open, they are moving to the bench and they don't sweep me, I don't tend to make an issue. I know it is not perfect but hey, if it is obviously open and no mag or rounds in it, it is really no worse than at the gun shops(which by the way is a whole story in itself, was in Cabelas last year when someone 'test fitted' a round in a used gun from the racks outside the library).

I shoot at In-Range mostly these days. A little more low key and private.

[V Man]

+1 for BPR. Roger and Sue, who I havent seen in awhile will take care of any issues right away. It is hard to have fun shooting or to practice when you are worried about your safety and looking over your sholder all the time. Take a look at the bays at the range and you will see that AD's happen all the time.

I would have left too.

[selurcspi]

I haven't been back to Bill's since I was covered by several cops who were all "Hot" while qualifying; they were waving loaded guns around oblivious to everyone else in the range. I spoke to the cops instructor who informed me that "these guys know what they're doing", I then spoke to the staff who said the cops have their own RSO and I should talk to him. I packed up and left, and I doubt I'll go back.

[jgalt]

I haven't been back to Bill's since I was covered by several cops who were all "Hot" while qualifying; they were waving loaded guns around oblivious to everyone else in the range. I spoke to the cops instructor who informed me that "these guys know what they're doing", I then spoke to the staff who said the cops have their own RSO and I should talk to him. I packed up and left, and I doubt I'll go back.

"So, mister cop instructor, you won't care if I'm pointing my loaded weapon at you right now either then, right? After all, I know what I'm doing..."

I would have been mighty tempted to ask exactly that, with the muzzle of my gun at his gut - or maybe a little lower... - mag in, slide closed. I'm not an idiot of course, so I'd be sure there were no rounds in either the mag or the chamber. Might that make the point?

[selurcspi]

There are fights you can win and some it's just best to walk away from....I walked!

[jgalt]

There are fights you can win and some it's just best to walk away from....I walked!

Oh, I'm quite sure I wouldn't have done that myself - but I definitely would have been tempted...