Range etiquette: what would you do?

[Professor Frink]

I have never been hesitant to talk to someone about poor gun handling.

I generally stay away from the range on Friday nights. Too much firepower and not enough common sense.

[BamBam-31]

You have to say something. Can't just let something like that go. I'd suggest being friendly and courteous about it, but when it happened to me, I must confess I was less than courteous about it. Something about staring a barrel straight down the bore makes courtesy fly out the window for me.

If it happens again, either have the RO act, or leave. Not worth the range fees....

[ZirconJohn]

The scenario you described happened to me, very similar situation.

I pulled the person away from the rest of his party and had a chat. We talked for a few minutes, the guy thanked me and apologized etc.

'It did not happen again'

Private conversation is my suggestion. Additionally, if the person becomes angry, argumentative, or continues to repeat the same unsafe condition, go to the Range Master! An unsafe condition is NOT conducive to a friendly firing line environment and MUST be addressed immediately.

[paintballergb]

I generally stay away from the range on Friday nights. Too much firepower and not enough common sense.

I am like that but I try not to go to the range on the weekends at all. There are numerous reasons I like to go to a relatively empty range.

[Ledbetter]

That is a too-common problem. When it happens to me I "Very Firmly" tell the offender not to ever point their gun at me again. If it happens again, I get the rangemaster and let him know their is an unsafe shooter at his range pointing guns at people.

[domokun]

+1


2) I spoke with my bro about the experience. We both agreed that confronting the individual was a bad idea. As polite as I can be, I don't know how these people will react, and they're armed. So, what would you do if you saw something that was either marginally or blatantly wrong?

Remember, so are you.

Wait for the cease fire period if you're on the outdoor portion of the range and then have a chat with the folks. If you're in the indoor portion of the range, you can either wait for them to stop to reload their magazines for a chat or you can walk up to the counter and tell the RSO in the office about it and they'll take care of it for you. The RSOs there can't watch everyone like a hawk so you'll have to do your part in reporting or resolving issues at the range.

[n2k]

Wait for the cease fire period if you're on the outdoor portion of the range and then have a chat with the folks. If you're in the indoor portion of the range, you can either wait for them to stop to reload their magazines for a chat or you can walk up to the counter and tell the RSO in the office about it and they'll take care of it for you. The RSOs there can't watch everyone like a hawk so you'll have to do your part in reporting or resolving issues at the range.

Sorry, I was quoting the OP's statement of the offender being armed.

That should not be a reason for the offending party not to be informed of their un-safe practice.

[domokun]

That should not be a reason for the offending party not to be informed of their un-safe practice.

+1 on this. I was shooting at a range one Saturday and a shooter's young son was being kind and sweeping brass up around the benches around his father's shooting bench area and the ones adjacent to it, however the kid was doing it during a cease fire period and going in between the benches. I went up to the kid and kindly reminded the kid to stay behind the safety line during the cease fire period and the father thanked me for doing it and reinforced the safety line rule.

[rabagley]

The choice is not between confrontation and nothing. It is possible to be firm, clear, and non-hostile about a situation like this. The problem is not one of malice, but one of carelessness bordering on negligence. If you let the offender know about the issue immediately and in a way that doesn't humiliate them, you're likely to get the reaction you want, and without worrying that your day at the range is ruined by bad vibes and paranoia.

The fact that they're armed is no reason to give up on our responsibility to inform. 99% of muzzle sweeps are by well-intentioned people who simply haven't learned to be continuously aware of where the gun they're holding is pointed. Take the opportunity to remind them of this critically important issue and you'll have helped them get better at it. If you say nothing, they remain a hazard to everyone around them.

[CSACANNONEER]

As an RO and as a shooter, I've politely confronted many shooters about their apparent lack of training/concern for safety. Most of them listen and try to be safe. The one that stands out in my mind happened at Agoura (I hope the guy reads this) a few years ago. I was shooting with the range to myself and this semi-regular comes in with a rifle and procedes to shoot 5 lanes away from me. He was having trouble with his gun. I can't even remember what he was doing wrong but, I politely corrected him because his actions were extremely unsafe. He was a rude, know it all and ignored me. I saw him do the same thing again and said something a second time. When I corrected him a third time, he packed up and left. He went out and complained about me to the guy at the counter. Who told the guy that I worked there and he needed to listen to me. I hadn't mentioned my position there because, I was not on a power trip and, as far as I was concerned, he needed to be safe no matter what. The guy just huffed out of the place and never came back.

[eccvets]

Theres no range master where I shoot but I would have said something to the guy sweeping everyone. I dont tollerate anyone pointing a firearm at me. If he dosent comply help him loose a few teeth.

and then you get a bullet in your ***!

[Salty]

From my experience that happens a lot at indoor ranges; probably because the RO's typically aren't paying as much attention to the shooting as they are the selling.

I have once or twice gone back inside and told someone behind the counter that the guy next to me is being unsafe and that I'd like to move. They are always very understanding and politely move me and then talk to the unsafe person. I haven't confronted anyone myself though as I don't want to escalate the situation with the wrong person. The indoor range I go to tends to attract more punks than my outdoor range, and I have seen a few verbal fights break out (which is not cool around loaded guns IMO) so I choose to let the RO's do the talking.

[recshooter]

Say something to the person.

And always remember to be a Calm and Assertive Pack Leader.

[sb_pete]

Always say something. Most people that do that aren't aware of it and will feel bad about and try to correct their behavior. Mostly they are not trying to be cavalier or rude, they are simply unaware.

Always be polite and friendly about it the first time though. I find you can simply smile at someone and make a hand motion and they will become aware of that kind of thing. If they do it again, politely say something. If that doesn't do it, you firmly say something. Polite but firm and no smile. After that you need to either talk to an RO, leave, or make them leave.

-Pete

[4ntvings]

safety safety safety

notify the range master immediately (it avoids confrontations and in appropriate escalations)