Personal Defense At The Range.

[BlueTrain]

There are those that believe that and, yes, accidents happen. I'm sure you're as safe as can be but I'm not so sure about everyone else. It isn't the carrying, it's the handling and the shooting. You aren't responsible for anyone else's safe gun handling practices but the range might think they are, whether or not that actually are. After all, you've already decided that a range is a dangerous place.

[kraigwy]

I agree with Sharkbite,

Why are you safe carrying your CC everywhere else but not at the range.

It might be worth wearing a bullet-proof vest

That will be the day. I didn't wear one as an infantryman in Vietnam, and most of the time I didn't wear one as a LE officer (except when I got caught in my later years when they became mandatory).

As too the range, I highly doubt.

If I find someone that dangerous I'm taking them aside and providing some one on one training.

[Capt. Charlie]

We said that from now on we will both carry while shooting at the range.

It's a shame that we have to do that, but it's good, sound policy.

I used to shoot at an unmonitored public range. One day, a bunch of gang-bangers showed up and proceeded to shoot up everything in sight. Picnic tables, trash barrels, etc. were all perforated. It also seemed that their language was limited to 4-letter words. Needless to say, we left, never to return.

I now shoot at another public range which has a much more mellow group of shooters. Even so, I always wear a sidearm. When you have to walk 100+ yards to change targets, carrying a rifle, spotting scope and range bag just isn't practical. If nothing else, having a sidearm gives me peace of mind.

[BlueTrain]

I was serious about the bullet-proof vest but it wasn't my idea. That was the suggestion of Massad Ayoob.

No matter how safe you are with a firearm, accidents still happen. Again, I'm not saying you're unsafe or accident prone but those around you might be. And anyway, you don't spend six and a half days amongst people who are shooting. They could put up a "No Accidents" sign to solve the problem, I suppose.

[Dragline45]

It's not uncommon for people to get robbed at or outside gun ranges.

As far as carrying while at the range, I always have a gun on my hip. No different than going anywhere else out in public.

You realize that many ranges BAN loaded firearms behind the shooting points and/or during "people down range" periods?

What they don't know wont hurt them. That's why I keep mine concealed.

[Mobuck]

"What they don't know wont hurt them. That's why I keep mine concealed."

So, you assume to be "better" than "them", safer than "them", or just above the rules of the range?
This sort of thought process is one reason why I have my own private range.

[shafter]

Keep it concealed and keep quiet about it.

[Sharkbite]

"What they don't know wont hurt them. That's why I keep mine concealed."

So, you assume to be "better" than "them", safer than "them", or just above the rules of the range?
This sort of thought process is one reason why I have my own private range.

Its not a matter of being "better", but rather Professional. Just like at gunshows, my CCW pistol stays CONCEALED. Its purpose is to protect me and mine. Not to try holsters or anything else.

The same goes on the range. The pistol im carrying is for defense. Not to be whipped out on a lark and shot

[psalm7]

One of the more risky things I do is if Im wanting to stretch out my rifles more than plinking in my yard . I often go to a remote range alone . Im sighting down thier Sniper range in my bubble and no ones got my 6 . Expensive weapon systems and gear , what ever I have in my pockets at the time . Not a good choice but with my work schedule its not always easy to find someone that has time to go when I do .

[darkgael]

You realize that many ranges BAN loaded firearms behind the shooting points and/or during "people down range" periods?

Yes, that is certainly true. When I am at the range (down a rural byway) to which I referred earlier and other shooters are there, then the .44 comes off and sits in my shooting bag. Then I leave my guns on the bench or in the rack when I go down range.
Alone is different.
Pete

[leadcounsel]

Doesn't matter if you have a concealed carry permit or are a law enforcement officer - no loaded guns unless they're in a case and being carried from your vehicle to the shooting line.

So, your pro gun gun range has an anti-gun policy, doesn't trust you with a concealed handgun despite the fact you're probably firing significantly greater firepower... and I assume they pat you down and wand you to ensure you're not carrying.

Gun store employees carry handguns, don't they? Same thing. Patrons at gun ranges are standing there with tens of thousands of dollars in firearms, scopes, and ammunition. Oh, and keys to nice vehicles. All ripe for the pickings.

I mentioned before, but there are enough incidents of criminal assaults and robberies at ranges to encourage me to carry. What better place for a group of thugs to stock up on guns and ammo than to ambush a range while it's cold, right?

Here's a few real world news examples in the last few years:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/08/02...verthrow-govt/

A prison guard accused of shooting a lawyer to death at a gun range told police he found the man dead and stole his rifle so it could be used by an extremist group bent on overthrowing the U.S. government, court records show.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Co...p-robbery.html

A Bonnie and Clyde pair of armed bandits robbed two men and shot one outside a Far Northeast gun shop and range Thursday night, making off with seven stolen firearms and leaving one of the victims critically wounded.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Co...ehmLuOdKgGl.99

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...kyle-shot-dead

Of course, Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his friend were shot and killed on a range.

Police said Sunday that the body of Chris Kyle was found by officers responding to an incident at the Rough Creek Lodge in Glen Rose the previous evening. Chad Littlefield, a 35-year-old friend of the war veteran and author, was also killed at the scene.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1818296/posts

Jeffrey Lane Dudney, 43, of Tampa, was facing attempted murder charges when he went to the shooting range Thursday afternoon intending to steal a firearm and flee the area, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said.

So, be armed and prepared when you're at the range.

[Dragline45]

So, you assume to be "better" than "them", safer than "them", or just above the rules of the range? This sort of thought process is one reason why I have my own private range.

The only assuming being done is by you sir. If it's not illegal to carry my gun, I am carrying it. The most they can do is ask me to leave the premises, and I am willing to take that risk, personal protection means alot more to me than abiding by a ranges ridiculous rule of banning concealed carry.

[leadcounsel]

Another thought is that if they ban LOADED firearms, just sling an unloaded AR on your back and put a couple mags in your back pocket as you walk to change your target. I cannot see how anyone could object since it's clearly unloaded.

[armoredman]

As a guy who did work more than one range, can I interject one thing here? the reason for bans on carry of loaded firearms on public ranges is the same reason some gun shops ban loaded carry - these are places where you are expected to manipulate your firearm, and the chance of negligent discharges goes up many many percentage points when people are handling loaded firearms instead of carrying them holstered. That's the logic, and yes, it's a lawyer thing, as well.
I also frequent an unmonitored outdoor range which is treated as a hot range by everyone there. It doesn't hurt that when I train at work we maintain a hot range as well. If a place doesn't allow me to carry, (not many here in AZ), and don't provide professional armed security, I tend not to frequent the place.

[thump_rrr]

I wonder if the same people who will carry concealed regardless of range rules would carry in states where their CHL is not valid?

[Sharkbite]

I wonder if the same people who will carry concealed regardless of range rules would carry in states where their CHL is not valid?

You are comparing a business's policy and a State LAW. Vastly different things

[Tactical Jackalope]

Funny you should mention that.

The gun range where I worked at (I haven't worked there since last year) had an incident. Here is how it went:

Man goes into the showroom and asks for a 9mm rental package. Which includes the following for $65.00; Glock in 9mm, 2 targets, eyes and ears, and 50 rounds of ammunition.

He shoots downrange. 46, 47, 48, 49..... Keeps the last bullet.

Chambers it. Puts the gun to his head (temple) and squeezes the 115gr full metal jacket into his head.

RO's are active or prior military. They administered first aid until the ambulance came. He died in surgery at the hospital.


He could have just as easily gone down each lane had there not been RO's who are trained and armed.

That said, I always have my own SD gun on me.

[FireForged]

Strangers are exactly that.. and I do not get all caught up in the brotherhood that armed citizens seem to simply accept on face value. I am still guarded with information and I am always ccw while at the range. I go with my gut and if some clown seems off, I dont try and talk myself out of that impression. Stay safe

[FITASC]

Lock the gate when you enter so it isn't easy for a stranger to get in.

[SARuger]

I carry while at the range. Its a private range and very remote. No one there minds and I'm not the only one.

[Onward Allusion]

It's amazing how a gun can jump out of its holster and shoot its owner. Amazing I'd tell you.

[armoredman]

And the further on with the range suicide - the indoor range I worked at had a Ruger SP101 snub that was used in a suicide. That gun was a very popular rental afterwards. Dead serious, no pun intended.

[thump_rrr]

Lock the gate when you enter so it isn't easy for a stranger to get in.

They can practically walk around or climb over the gate.
It's there as a mere formality.

[seeker_two]

Originally Posted by Mobuck

"What they don't know wont hurt them. That's why I keep mine concealed."

So, you assume to be "better" than "them", safer than "them", or just above the rules of the range?

Yes.

That's also why I keep a full reload of whatever I'm shooting in my pocket for any SD situation that might arise. I don't need to trust anyone else's level of competence or malice....I just need to know that I am prepared.

[boondocker385]

I always have a loaded pistol on my body at the range and often wear my vest...the latter mostly because of the poor gun handling I have seen. I ALWAYS wear my vest at police ranges.