Range Etiquette

[Krejaton]

Late last week, I took my teenage daughters to our local indoor range and we had a blast. We each had our own bay as the place was otherwise empty. As we were packing up to go, a couple came in and began to set up. I noticed that they were both huddled around a bucket of ammo with the man holding a handgun. Just the way he was holding it suggested to me that he was a novice. Having only been shooting since April, I am fairly new myself though my girls and I have taken an NRA beginners course and a self-defense class.

I asked him if he needed some help and he said that he didn't know how to "get the gun open". So I showed him how to release the mag and then I showed him the blessing that is a Uplula. He asked me to show him how to shoot so I gave him a 5 min lesson in gun safety and use--even shot his Glock 19 (never shot a Glock before--it wasn't as bad as I had heard. ).

Then he brought out his AR15. Now I have shot an AR15 but I know very little about them. He asked me how to work it but I thought that I wasn't qualified to do that and said he should get some help from the RO.

Here is my concern: I have been to this particular range a couple times and like the staff, so just as a precaution, I told the guy at the desk that the couple inside could use some help since they have never shot an AR15. The guy got pretty uptight because he specifically asked them if they knew how to operate all of their firearms and they said yes. Like I said, this is all a bit new to me so I wasn't sure about range etiquette...was I right in telling the employee? Safety first, of course, but I didn't want to get those folks in any trouble. Just not sure if I should have handled it differently.

[SkyHawk]

Yes - you did the right thing. If anything looks hinky and that includes people, let the RO know about it.

[Garv]

It wasn't your fault if they lied to the staff.

If I owned a range I would expect my employees to help people understand what they were doing so that everybody is safer.
If noobs felt the staff was helpful they could be more likely to come back.

[bsg]

in effort to ensure that the novice couple didn't get lost in-between the cracks, you reached out to the RO to give them the assistance they sorely needed. that was a thoughtful, safety conscious effort on your part.

[SB1964]

You did the right thing. I prefer it when a RO hangs around & helps people. Tried a new build a few days ago & saw a few sketchy dummies with poor handling skills. I woulda spoke up but I left.

[pacrat]

Ya done good

You gave what assistance you could. Which is always a positive for shooting PR. Then when you hit your comfort level you informed the proprietor that further assistance was needed.

Safety first, of course, but I didn't want to get those folks in any trouble. Just not sure if I should have handled it differently.

That kind of trouble amounts to a little embarrassment at most. Far easier to survive than another range accident.

Far better than saying nothing. Then reading in the paper next day that the person had an ND and shot themself or another.

JM2c

[AE102]

What I don't understand is how does he own these firearms without even knowing how to release the mag? Did he just take the HSC test, passed it, and bought the firearms without taking any intro to firearms classes?

[tanks]

What I don't understand is how does he own these firearms without even knowing how to release the mag? Did he just take the HSC test, passed it, and bought the firearms without taking any intro to firearms classes?

From what I have seen I'd say that applies to majority of firearms owners unfortunately. A lot of people just buy a gun and a box of ammo for "protection", load it up and put it aside.

[v.kevin]

Good job, Krejaton. I wish more people at the range would do what you did.
We are all safety officers at the range. When someone seems clueless with a gun, it's not time to mind your own business.

[Merc1138]

What I don't understand is how does he own these firearms without even knowing how to release the mag? Did he just take the HSC test, passed it, and bought the firearms without taking any intro to firearms classes?

Of course. Do you really think most gun owners take classes?

Put aside the fact that it's a firearm for a moment(and the idea that someone owns a firearm yet has ZERO clue how to operate it). Think about the random goofy crap you run across in every day life, usually stemming from a failure to RTFM. Everything from people failing to understand how to use a microwave, not knowing how to open the glovebox in the car, can't plug a usb flash drive into their computer, no idea how to change a car tire, can't start a lawnmower, which way to put headphones on when they're clearly marked L and R, can't operate a screwdriver, etc. the list just goes on and on. If people can fail so horrendously at using/doing common/average/easy things, and to them a firearm is simply yet another object they don't understand(to some people, it seems the only difference between a handgun and a coffee maker is the pricetag), of course that scenario is going to happen(probably hundreds of times a day across the country).

OP did the right thing, idiot did the wrong thing and lied to the range staff. The reason I called the guy an idiot is because he is. Yes, everyone was new to firearms at some point. However, most people have the sense to read the manual, check one of the thousands of youtube videos, seek assistance, take a class, etc. It's better to let the idiot feel embarrassed, than let him accidentally injure/kill someone.

[toby]

You did the right thing.

[purer00r]

I'm sure the staff was glad you told them, if I was working the line I would've thanked you.

[Steve_In_29]

You did the right thing OP.

[Soginator]

Late last week, I took my teenage daughters to our local indoor range and we had a blast. We each had our own bay as the place was otherwise empty. As we were packing up to go, a couple came in and began to set up. I noticed that they were both huddled around a bucket of ammo with the man holding a handgun. Just the way he was holding it suggested to me that he was a novice. Having only been shooting since April, I am fairly new myself though my girls and I have taken an NRA beginners course and a self-defense class.

I asked him if he needed some help and he said that he didn't know how to "get the gun open". So I showed him how to release the mag and then I showed him the blessing that is a Uplula. He asked me to show him how to shoot so I gave him a 5 min lesson in gun safety and use--even shot his Glock 19 (never shot a Glock before--it wasn't as bad as I had heard. ).

Then he brought out his AR15. Now I have shot an AR15 but I know very little about them. He asked me how to work it but I thought that I wasn't qualified to do that and said he should get some help from the RO.

Here is my concern: I have been to this particular range a couple times and like the staff, so just as a precaution, I told the guy at the desk that the couple inside could use some help since they have never shot an AR15. The guy got pretty uptight because he specifically asked them if they knew how to operate all of their firearms and they said yes. Like I said, this is all a bit new to me so I wasn't sure about range etiquette...was I right in telling the employee? Safety first, of course, but I didn't want to get those folks in any trouble. Just not sure if I should have handled it differently.

I'm not sure where you are in the IE, but I know FT3 in Stanton has RO's patrolling the firing line, as does Burro Canyon. They might be a better place for you to go if you need instruction, and you want a place that regulates on some of the people who handles firearms unsafely. But you definitely did the right thing. Even if I was the person that you were complaining about, I'd rather have someone correct an unsafe behavior before something bad happens than try to be PC and not say anything.

[Jimmybikes]

I'll repeat it, you absolutely did the right thing. As stated we are all an RSO when at a range. We should also be friendly and helpful whenever possible. Again, you did the right thing by not showing off when you reached you limit of knowledge.
The only thing that bugged me a little was the staff getting angry. The customer did the absolute wrong thing by lying but I would hope the staff members made a good learning moment for everyone. Maybe even recommend some classes for Shooters if they offer them and gain a customer and safe gun handler for life.