Safety at gun ranges?

[Marktallica]

Hey guys, I hope this is the right forum for this topic. In my town (Placerville), we are currently debating a proposed gun range. A lot of us are very excited at the prospect, but of course the main opposition to the range is from people who have never shot at a range before. They keep arguing that gun ranges don't "seem" like safe places, what with all the big, evil guns around. They seem to think gun ranges attract the same clientele as shady dive bars, liquor marts in bad parts of town, etc.

Now, as we all know, gun ranges are extremely safe places because 99% of gun owners are responsible adults. Can anyone point me in the direction of any statistics or articles demonstrating just how safe ranges are? I'd like to have some harder evidence to cite than my own personal anecdotes when I talk to people who have concerns. I've searched a few times on Google, but to no real avail.

Thanks in advance!

[S.P.F.]

For me, its all about first impressions.

When I go the first time, they should start by interviewing you as a customer. I say that I am a seasoned shooter looking for a new range closer to my commute route.

My expectation is and should be that my verbal statements should be discounted, even if I claim to be experienced and safe. The range should assign you a customer account and to a stall, accompanied by a range officer who will ask you to demonstrate your safe skills with a drill involving mock loading, unloading, safe handling and malfunction clearance. If the range does not perform this to make sure I am safe, then they likely will not perform the same with others.

With my favored range, I witnessed a polite refusal of a new potential customer who had never shot before, and was requesting to rent a gun. I felt a bit safer that they don't relax their stiff checkout procedure for a few bucks.

I think statistics are of only limited value, as they don't measure the current policy application, or the safety. Yes, there will always be idiots, and if you see the range tolerating violations, it's time to leave.

[rdtompki]

Have you contacted the NRA to see what sort of assistance they have available? When the Laguna Seca range was shut down the NRA sent in a team to review the layout, recommendations were implemented and the range reopened. I'd be surprised of the NRA didn't have information packets and someone on staff who could provide information that would be of some assistance.

[saugustine]

I like the NRA suggestion but more importantly you need to have a solid plan and policies set up that demonstrate how you will insure the range is safe. It doesn't matter what others do or have done or what you think is right. What matters is what is that new range going to do and what policies and checks will you have in place to ensure those policies are followed. I would also enlist the detractors to be part of the solution. Ask them to participate in a safety committee to audit the range's safety practices on a regular basis.

[Full Clip]

I'd be more afraid to have a high school in my neighborhood than an organized, supervised gun range. Far fewer incidents of crime and violence...

[BillyGoatCrawler]

Just show them this and tell them safety is for Nancy and Gina.


Good luck with the range.

[Carcassonne]

Can anyone point me in the direction of any statistics or articles demonstrating just how safe ranges are? I'd like to have some harder evidence to cite than my own personal anecdotes when I talk to people who have concerns. I've searched a few times on Google, but to no real avail.

Thanks in advance!

I think your best bet is to contact the NRA. They had a booklet on operating a gun range 20+ years ago. They should still have something similar.


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[Cal10]

For me, its all about first impressions.

When I go the first time, they should start by interviewing you as a customer. I say that I am a seasoned shooter looking for a new range closer to my commute route.

My expectation is and should be that my verbal statements should be discounted, even if I claim to be experienced and safe. The range should assign you a customer account and to a stall, accompanied by a range officer who will ask you to demonstrate your safe skills with a drill involving mock loading, unloading, safe handling and malfunction clearance. If the range does not perform this to make sure I am safe, then they likely will not perform the same with others.

With my favored range, I witnessed a polite refusal of a new potential customer who had never shot before, and was requesting to rent a gun. I felt a bit safer that they don't relax their stiff checkout procedure for a few bucks.

I think statistics are of only limited value, as they don't measure the current policy application, or the safety. Yes, there will always be idiots, and if you see the range tolerating violations, it's time to leave.

Many ranges are not allowing any solo shooters because the suicides at ranges are usually solo shooters. Most ranges won't allow you to shoot solo unless you are a member. This makes sense, especially from a liability standpoint for the range.

If you point this out and propose this as a safety measure for the new range this could help.

[saugustine]

Also, though we may not like to admit it there are a lot of unsafe gun owners out there. And all of us are capable of spacing out and doing something stupid. So in some ways their fears are not unfounded. The indoor range I frequent (On Target in Laguna Niguel) has cameras on the firing lines and one or more range officers watch it on a large screen monitor at all times. Also a range officer will randomly walk the firing line checking things. I like that they pay attention and deal with any safety issues immediately.

[walterSOBCHAK]

I'm my neck of the woods, I've never heard of any human beings being shot at any of the 4 local ranges or out at the BLM shooting spots. We have, on the other hand, had several people shot at the local walmart. I don't know where you would find stats regarding incidents at gun range because it's such a rare occurrence, I don't know who would compile such things.

[ParanoidCivilian]

It's tribal land so the range is going to open no matter what the public may think.

[Midtown]

Sacramento gun club is a good example of Safety taken seriously. Maybe check it out and bring back some ideas. Lot's of rules but essentially, there is an RSO for every 6 lanes or so, they are constantly watching to make sure people are shooting safely and are always ready to help with jams, misfires, etc.

They only allow 2 guns on the bench at a time to make it easier to keep track of, all other guns are to be kept in locked cases in the back of the room.

New shooters are required to watch a short safety video. If a new shooter wants to rent a gun, they won't let them shoot unless an RSO is free to assist them. They have cameras in all the range rooms and you can see everything that is going on in the ranges from the lobby.

Guns are required to be unloaded in locked cases between the car and the range. All unloading of cases is done on the bench and then cases are returned to the table in the back. (legal CCW excepted, although they require it to remain concealed until you reach the firing line).

This system makes for a much safer atmosphere and they are tough on the rules. It can be a little off putting at first to feel like someone is constantly watching you, but most of the guys and gals that work the ranges are pretty friendly and eager to help.

[sl0re10]

I like the NRA suggestion but more importantly you need to have a solid plan and policies set up that demonstrate how you will insure the range is safe. It doesn't matter what others do or have done or what you think is right. What matters is what is that new range going to do and what policies and checks will you have in place to ensure those policies are followed. I would also enlist the detractors to be part of the solution. Ask them to participate in a safety committee to audit the range's safety practices on a regular basis.

I think people might be missing what he is asking about.

The anti's are implying gun ranges attract the 'wrong element' (I think).

[sl0re10]

I guess see if you can find, or create, any video from a range.

Normal people with jobs shooting... sorta like golfing.

Then redirect the concern back; why do you think gun ranges attract other kinds of people (when they don't)? Re: as a shooter with experience at such places I've never seen what your describing or implying....

PS
This is the second time this objection to a range has come up in the last couple months... someone ought to do some video / documentation on this to share, in general, at city council meetings...

the antis thrive on people not knowing better... so the more info you can put in front of people who don't have their minds made up... the better you'll do IMO. Reality is; actual criminals will go no where near a gun range. Scares them to death to be around middle class working people with guns. We all know this.

[Bill Steele]

Many ranges are not allowing any solo shooters because the suicides at ranges are usually solo shooters. Most ranges won't allow you to shoot solo unless you are a member. This makes sense, especially from a liability standpoint for the range.

If you point this out and propose this as a safety measure for the new range this could help.

The only time I have seen a policy similar to this is a prohibition on single shooters renting from the range. I think the logic is if the person already owns a gun, going to the range to commit suicide is likely not their first choice. On the other hand, for someone who doesn't own a gun and has decided they want to take their own life with a gun, a gun range rental might be a fit.