Range accident today (not me)

cwhit23 · January 27, 2013, 07:57 PM

I went to test out and eagerly fire a couple hundred rounds through my new XD-9mm today. I went to the range and fired my shots and was packing up and ready to go. (XD rocks btw) I was at the check out register to pay for my lane rental and some extra ammo when all the sudden BANG....

Some freaking idiot accidentally discharged his firearm in the lobby of the range. He was apparently taking it out of it's case and fired it. I'm not sure where the bullet went but I think it ricocheted off the floor and up through the ceiling as dust was falling from the ceiling tiles after the discharge. This really just made me boil over with anger. At first I was shocked and a little shaken making sure no one was hit. then I just got angry.
1st off , one the main rules in gun handling/ownership is never touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. So why was this numb nuts having his hand near the trigger? Why was this guy unpacking his guns in the lobby instead of the firing lane? People need to think before they act when they are in possession of a deadly weapon. smh.. it just boils me over people's lack of respect and negligence.. .. there were kids at the range, families, etc. Thank God no one was hurt. A lady got a little shrapnel in her leg but no one was directly hit or seriously injured.

This is just a reminder that no matter how comfortable you are or laxed you become with a weapon. Safety is still a priority and should be taken seriously. The guy at the range said they had been there for 5 years and it's never happened. However, that's not good enough. It should not happen.

Do ranges you guys go to have rules set in place to keep this sort of thing from happening?

Sorry if this is the wrong section, but appeared to be the best section for this content.

arch308 · January 27, 2013, 08:10 PM

Pobody's nerfect. People make mistakes, sad but true.

ScottRiqui · January 27, 2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Do ranges you guys go to have rules set in place to keep this sort of thing from happening?

At our range, all weapons have to be unloaded and remain cased until you're on the firing line if you're on your way in, or until you've left the building if you're on your way out.

Joe_Pike · January 27, 2013, 08:18 PM

I stay faaaarrrrr away from ranges during panic times. Lots of new shooters that don't have any training or experience. It really is putting your life in other's hands in that situation.

shootniron · January 27, 2013, 08:20 PM

People make mistakes...there have been more people killed by mistakes in automobiles than will ever be killed by mistakes with guns. With that said, this incident just drives home the fact that we can never be too careful when handling guns...just like driving cars.

StukaJU87 · January 27, 2013, 08:25 PM

Maybe I'm naive but you said he was taking out of its case, if it was in a case, why was it loaded? Why was he transporting a loaded weapon? I'm guessing it wasn't his carry gun, since it was in a case. Maybe I'm wrong but either way, he should have removed the round in the chamber. The whole "I forgot it was loaded" nonsense has never worked with me. First rule of firearms: "treat every firearm as if it is loaded!" Therefore, there is never a reason to "forget it was loaded."

I agree with the OP, its frustrating when owners of firearms get careless and stop respecting their firearms. It makes us all look bad, especially now.

RamItOne · January 27, 2013, 08:32 PM

There's no safety switch for idiots around you.

A lil shrapnel is definitely a better outcome than what could've been esp if its as crowded as a lot of these places have been.

Every gun within reach in my house is loaded, when I load up to go to the range the guns I take are all unloaded except of course my edc.

youngunz4life · January 27, 2013, 08:36 PM

there is almost no excuse though. It is ridiculous gun owners andor gun users don't know how to make sure the firearm is cleared

**JohnKSa** · January 27, 2013, 08:42 PM

There's a range a few miles from my house that instituted a rule some years ago after they acquired one too many bullet holes in the range lobby.

Nobody is allowed to bring ANYTHING into the range lobby. You leave your cases in the car, come in and pay and then take your cases/guns directly to the line.

YARDDOG(1) · January 27, 2013, 08:43 PM

GLAD I go to private propery to shoot,, Much more safer for me and my family/Freinds.. Though there are NO Rules broke when I'm there ; ) PS Stay Safe & follow rules!!

Y/D

Jeremiah/Az · January 27, 2013, 08:59 PM

I used to be an instructor at our range. We get many new shooters from the Phoenix area. It is unbelievable what people will do. I have seen shells loaded backwards, but my favorite is when they turn to talk to you with a loaded gun pointed AT you, if you are not close enough to stop it, which I always try to be.

JWT · January 27, 2013, 09:07 PM

Range I shoot at:
No guns out of case or holster in the lobby.
Guns out only when on shooting lane.
No changing of lanes without placing gun in case prior to move.

**Aguila Blanca** · January 27, 2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwhit23

Do ranges you guys go to have rules set in place to keep this sort of thing from happening?

Rules? We don't need no steenkin' rules.

Asking about rules "to prevent this sort of thing from happening" is a lot like passing laws against guns in schools to prevent another Columbine or Sandy Hook. Rules are useless if stupid people think they're so smart that the rules don't apply to them.

My range has the rule: Take your gun out of the case only at the firing station, unload it and put it back in the bag before leaving the line. But if the shop is crowded and some doofus pulls a LOADED pistol out of a range bag in the shop area -- how's a rule going to prevent that?

cwhit23 · January 27, 2013, 09:10 PM

Yeah, I know people make mistakes and to err is human. However this shouldn't be an issue. I don't think I have enough post yet but I wish I could quote because a lot of you guys made good points I'd like to comment on.

Number 1 was why was it loaded in a case? It should not have been. It tells you that even in the owners manual.

secondly was people referring to the guns having to be unloaded until entering the range. I have already emailed the owners of the range expressing my concern and heavily suggesting this idea become law of the range rather than just a good idea.

lastly was about panic times and new shooters. I am one of those new shooters, but in my defense I did take a safety class , carry permit class before I even bought my first gun. Safety was beaten into my head as it should have been.
I know that's not the end all/ be all but it is better than walking in and not knowing a dang thing and causing accidents to occur.

The range did email me back and said they were investigating the incident and would keep me informed.

cwhit23 · January 27, 2013, 09:16 PM

You are correct about rules not always being followed and there will always be someone that breaks the rules. And a rule itself will never prevent some from breaking it.

I am new to the scene so forgive my ignorance. I just wondered if in some ranges there was actually faculty that watched for this type of stuff and enforced the rules at hand.

I am smart enough to know that you can't be everywhere at once and they'll be some goober that's going to do something stupid. I guess I was more curious as a newb other ranges are really strict and have something in place to make sure weapons are unloaded until the firing line and unloaded before leaving the firing line.

HK_Flo · January 27, 2013, 09:49 PM

Every range I have been to has had a rule that guns are to remain cased/holstered until on the line.

The range I go to downtown is run by ex-cops and I do believe they would of drawn and possibly fired at some idiot taking his gun out in the lobby.

A person only has 2 reasons for taking a firearm out in the lobby of a store/range:

A) they are planning to rob the place

B) they are a moron

Even if the gun is unloaded no one around you knows that. I do hope they at least kicked the guy out right?

breakingcontact · January 27, 2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

He was apparently taking it out it's case and fired it.

Thank you for saying this correctly. He fired it.

cwhit23 · January 27, 2013, 10:28 PM

most definitely. A gun does not fire on it's own. I do not blame the gun in this situation. It was the owner.

DaleA · January 27, 2013, 11:28 PM

Quote:

My range has the rule: Take your gun out of the case only at the firing station, unload it and put it back in the bag before leaving the line. But if the shop is crowded and some doofus pulls a LOADED pistol out of a range bag in the shop area -- how's a rule going to prevent that?

This ^!

And Aguila Blanca is right. We, more than any other group should understand that 'rules' (or laws) will NOT keep something from happening.

shootniron · January 27, 2013, 11:34 PM

c

Quote:

cwhit23

Yeah, I know people make mistakes and to err is human.

However this shouldn't be an issue.

These statements contradict each other...

cwhit23 · January 27, 2013, 11:39 PM

I agree about the rules: But we as a group of gun owners should know that we are the bullet and we are responsible. We should take extra precautions so that these things don't happen. We as gun owners should also know that every error and every broken rule will be highly scrutinized by those with an agenda to take away our rights. Things like this hit the media and adds fuel to an already anti gun agenda. We have to do things right in order to keep respect and keep our argument strong and valid. If the media learns of bumbling idiots out here negligently firing their guns off how does that make us look? H

I know this was a minor event being that no one got hurt etc. For that I am thankful to God. However, it still points back to being responsible and being safety minded at all times. This cannot be said enough imo.

I know accidents occur, but like I said, I feel their is no excuse for this type of accident. If you follow basic safety rules and basic rules for protecting you and your firearm. There should not be a problem.

However, I think I'm going to join a private range from this point and stay away from the 20 dollar lane fee's where all the people who just ran to a gun store , bought a box of ammo, and gonna go shoot are going. lol

shootniron · January 27, 2013, 11:45 PM

Quote:

If you follow basic safety rules and basic rules for protecting you and your firearm. There should not be a problem.

I agree with this statement...

However, you will never be at any place, private or public, that is immune to mistakes happening. This is not to say that we should not be extra vigilant, but stuff like this is still going to happen...that is just the way it is.

cwhit23 · January 28, 2013, 12:02 AM

I know you and all of you guys are correct and I agree with everything said here. I guess I just got a little shaken and then mad about the situation.

shootniron · January 28, 2013, 12:16 AM

Quote:

I know you and all of you guys are correct and I agree with everything said here. I guess I just got a little shaken and then mad about the situation.

It is good that you are shaken as this means that you learned a valuable lesson early in your firearm experience in which no one was injured and that will stay with you for the rest of your life and will probably prevent your ever having a negligent discharge. It probably had the same effect on most everyone there...and that is a good thing.

This is what I call a cheap life lesson...cheap, in that it did not cost a life and could very easily save a life.

cwhit23 · January 28, 2013, 12:41 AM

^ That's a very good point. I never looked at it that way. however, we as people become complacent very quickly with stuff and tend to think things won't happen to us. You're right, Every time I go into a range I will be conscience of what happened today and like you said, I bet the others will be too.

January 27, 2013, 07:57 PM	#1
cwhit23 Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Posts: 21	Range accident today (not me) I went to test out and eagerly fire a couple hundred rounds through my new XD-9mm today. I went to the range and fired my shots and was packing up and ready to go. (XD rocks btw) I was at the check out register to pay for my lane rental and some extra ammo when all the sudden BANG.... Some freaking idiot accidentally discharged his firearm in the lobby of the range. He was apparently taking it out of it's case and fired it. I'm not sure where the bullet went but I think it ricocheted off the floor and up through the ceiling as dust was falling from the ceiling tiles after the discharge. This really just made me boil over with anger. At first I was shocked and a little shaken making sure no one was hit. then I just got angry. 1st off , one the main rules in gun handling/ownership is never touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. So why was this numb nuts having his hand near the trigger? Why was this guy unpacking his guns in the lobby instead of the firing lane? People need to think before they act when they are in possession of a deadly weapon. smh.. it just boils me over people's lack of respect and negligence.. .. there were kids at the range, families, etc. Thank God no one was hurt. A lady got a little shrapnel in her leg but no one was directly hit or seriously injured. This is just a reminder that no matter how comfortable you are or laxed you become with a weapon. Safety is still a priority and should be taken seriously. The guy at the range said they had been there for 5 years and it's never happened. However, that's not good enough. It should not happen. Do ranges you guys go to have rules set in place to keep this sort of thing from happening? Sorry if this is the wrong section, but appeared to be the best section for this content. Last edited by cwhit23; January 27, 2013 at 10:23 PM.

January 27, 2013, 08:18 PM	#4
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	I stay faaaarrrrr away from ranges during panic times. Lots of new shooters that don't have any training or experience. It really is putting your life in other's hands in that situation. __________________ Stay Groovy

January 27, 2013, 08:32 PM	#7
RamItOne Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2011 Posts: 990	There's no safety switch for idiots around you. A lil shrapnel is definitely a better outcome than what could've been esp if its as crowded as a lot of these places have been. Every gun within reach in my house is loaded, when I load up to go to the range the guns I take are all unloaded except of course my edc. __________________ M&P- the other dark meat https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...rtant/DJyvnHz0 Last edited by RamItOne; January 27, 2013 at 08:43 PM.

January 27, 2013, 08:36 PM	#8
youngunz4life Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2010 Location: United States of America Posts: 1,877	there is almost no excuse though. It is ridiculous gun owners andor gun users don't know how to make sure the firearm is cleared __________________ "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" -Admiral Farragut @ Battle of Mobile Bay 05AUG1864

January 27, 2013, 08:42 PM	#9
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,969	There's a range a few miles from my house that instituted a rule some years ago after they acquired one too many bullet holes in the range lobby. Nobody is allowed to bring ANYTHING into the range lobby. You leave your cases in the car, come in and pay and then take your cases/guns directly to the line. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 27, 2013, 08:10 PM	#2
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	Pobody's nerfect. People make mistakes, sad but true.

January 27, 2013, 08:20 PM	#5
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	People make mistakes...there have been more people killed by mistakes in automobiles than will ever be killed by mistakes with guns. With that said, this incident just drives home the fact that we can never be too careful when handling guns...just like driving cars.

January 27, 2013, 08:25 PM	#6
StukaJU87 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2011 Posts: 256	Maybe I'm naive but you said he was taking out of its case, if it was in a case, why was it loaded? Why was he transporting a loaded weapon? I'm guessing it wasn't his carry gun, since it was in a case. Maybe I'm wrong but either way, he should have removed the round in the chamber. The whole "I forgot it was loaded" nonsense has never worked with me. First rule of firearms: "treat every firearm as if it is loaded!" Therefore, there is never a reason to "forget it was loaded." I agree with the OP, its frustrating when owners of firearms get careless and stop respecting their firearms. It makes us all look bad, especially now.

January 27, 2013, 08:43 PM	#10
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 721	GLAD I go to private propery to shoot,, Much more safer for me and my family/Freinds.. Though there are NO Rules broke when I'm there ; ) PS Stay Safe & follow rules!! Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

January 27, 2013, 08:59 PM	#11
Jeremiah/Az Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Location: Az. Posts: 509	I used to be an instructor at our range. We get many new shooters from the Phoenix area. It is unbelievable what people will do. I have seen shells loaded backwards, but my favorite is when they turn to talk to you with a loaded gun pointed AT you, if you are not close enough to stop it, which I always try to be.

January 27, 2013, 09:07 PM	#12
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Range I shoot at: No guns out of case or holster in the lobby. Guns out only when on shooting lane. No changing of lanes without placing gun in case prior to move.

January 27, 2013, 09:10 PM	#14
cwhit23 Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Posts: 21	Yeah, I know people make mistakes and to err is human. However this shouldn't be an issue. I don't think I have enough post yet but I wish I could quote because a lot of you guys made good points I'd like to comment on. Number 1 was why was it loaded in a case? It should not have been. It tells you that even in the owners manual. secondly was people referring to the guns having to be unloaded until entering the range. I have already emailed the owners of the range expressing my concern and heavily suggesting this idea become law of the range rather than just a good idea. lastly was about panic times and new shooters. I am one of those new shooters, but in my defense I did take a safety class , carry permit class before I even bought my first gun. Safety was beaten into my head as it should have been. I know that's not the end all/ be all but it is better than walking in and not knowing a dang thing and causing accidents to occur. The range did email me back and said they were investigating the incident and would keep me informed.

January 27, 2013, 09:16 PM	#15
cwhit23 Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Posts: 21	You are correct about rules not always being followed and there will always be someone that breaks the rules. And a rule itself will never prevent some from breaking it. I am new to the scene so forgive my ignorance. I just wondered if in some ranges there was actually faculty that watched for this type of stuff and enforced the rules at hand. I am smart enough to know that you can't be everywhere at once and they'll be some goober that's going to do something stupid. I guess I was more curious as a newb other ranges are really strict and have something in place to make sure weapons are unloaded until the firing line and unloaded before leaving the firing line.

January 27, 2013, 09:49 PM	#16
HK_Flo Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2011 Posts: 122	Every range I have been to has had a rule that guns are to remain cased/holstered until on the line. The range I go to downtown is run by ex-cops and I do believe they would of drawn and possibly fired at some idiot taking his gun out in the lobby. A person only has 2 reasons for taking a firearm out in the lobby of a store/range: A) they are planning to rob the place B) they are a moron Even if the gun is unloaded no one around you knows that. I do hope they at least kicked the guy out right?

January 27, 2013, 10:28 PM	#18
cwhit23 Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Posts: 21	most definitely. A gun does not fire on it's own. I do not blame the gun in this situation. It was the owner.

January 27, 2013, 11:39 PM	#21
cwhit23 Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Posts: 21	I agree about the rules: But we as a group of gun owners should know that we are the bullet and we are responsible. We should take extra precautions so that these things don't happen. We as gun owners should also know that every error and every broken rule will be highly scrutinized by those with an agenda to take away our rights. Things like this hit the media and adds fuel to an already anti gun agenda. We have to do things right in order to keep respect and keep our argument strong and valid. If the media learns of bumbling idiots out here negligently firing their guns off how does that make us look? H I know this was a minor event being that no one got hurt etc. For that I am thankful to God. However, it still points back to being responsible and being safety minded at all times. This cannot be said enough imo. I know accidents occur, but like I said, I feel their is no excuse for this type of accident. If you follow basic safety rules and basic rules for protecting you and your firearm. There should not be a problem. However, I think I'm going to join a private range from this point and stay away from the 20 dollar lane fee's where all the people who just ran to a gun store , bought a box of ammo, and gonna go shoot are going. lol

January 28, 2013, 12:02 AM	#23
cwhit23 Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Posts: 21	I know you and all of you guys are correct and I agree with everything said here. I guess I just got a little shaken and then mad about the situation.

January 28, 2013, 12:41 AM	#25
cwhit23 Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Posts: 21	^ That's a very good point. I never looked at it that way. however, we as people become complacent very quickly with stuff and tend to think things won't happen to us. You're right, Every time I go into a range I will be conscience of what happened today and like you said, I bet the others will be too.

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