Personally I prefer official gun ranges

[Win231]

I only shoot at ranges too. But....I do miss the group of guys at a shooting area who bring a bunch of guns...
and cases of beer....

[smak28]

I think "Casual shooters" is too nice of a description. The definition in the article is exactly what describes most of my friends who always go to BLM land to shoot and they all think I'm too strict on safety. There's this one friend that I call him reckless and it was proven in our last trip to BLM land where he fired an AR a few feet away from me when I didn't have my ear muffs on, because there was no "going hot" or any signal to put ear muffs back on. My left ear isn't as good as it was before that incident. This reckless friend treats firearms as if they were toys.

[The Shootist]

I think "Casual shooters" is too nice of a description. The definition in the article is exactly what describes most of my friends who always go to BLM land to shoot and they all think I'm too strict on safety. There's this one friend that I call him reckless and it was proven in our last trip to BLM land where he fired an AR a few feet away from me when I didn't have my ear muffs on, because there was no "going hot" or any signal to put ear muffs back on. My left ear isn't as good as it was before that incident. This reckless friend treats firearms as if they were toys.

[ef9boy88]

Gun Club or company range days only for me, will go to some public ranges.
ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT return to Lytle Creek, saw them at the gun show talked all about safety and how they make sure everybody is being safe. Was very much the opposite the last time I went. RSO was more worried about the soldier with Texas Plates not having a bullet button than the kid sweeping the range with a 9mm because his dad wasn't helping him learn to shoot.

[OCRebote78]

I think "Casual shooters" is too nice of a description. The definition in the article is exactly what describes most of my friends who always go to BLM land to shoot and they all think I'm too strict on safety. There's this one friend that I call him reckless and it was proven in our last trip to BLM land where he fired an AR a few feet away from me when I didn't have my ear muffs on, because there was no "going hot" or any signal to put ear muffs back on. My left ear isn't as good as it was before that incident. This reckless friend treats firearms as if they were toys.

Everyone I take (not that many) get's an earful from me prior to start.
They always mention how they've never seen me that serious about anything.

I tell them that's exactly how important gun safety is too me. None of my "foolish" friends ever make it out shooting with me.

[smak28]

Everyone I take (not that many) get's an earful from me prior to start.
They always mention how they've never seen me that serious about anything.

I tell them that's exactly how important gun safety is too me. None of my "foolish" friends ever make it out shooting with me.

My group of friends know I don't like going with this one really reckless friend, but I wasn't doing the invite and he will always go. At least the last incident helped a few of the others understand why I was so anal about safety/rules. They are all confident they can handle firearms safely, but it's clear they didn't. I think I will have to boycott going to BLM land with them.

[OCRebote78]

My group of friends know I don't like going with this one really reckless friend, but I wasn't doing the invite and he will always go. At least the last incident helped a few of the others understand why I was so anal about safety/rules. They are all confident they can handle firearms safely, but it's clear they didn't. I think I will have to boycott going to BLM land with them.

Definitely the old adage of "less is more" applies when taking folks out shooting. You also take a non gun owner once, maybe twice. After that, he or she better buy they're own guns and ammo or at the very least bring ammo. lol.

[ja308]

The last public range I went had one guy with a few guns and he brought a couple of new to guns guys along.
1st thing I noticed was the finger inside the trigger guard! I explained its the marks of a professional shooter to keep his finger out until the shooter is ready to fire.
Both persons thanked me and I said" you help the next person" and we keep everyone safe.
Had those people been on BLM or elsewhere the bad habit would have been reinforced.
safety is everyones responsibility !

[Scratch705]

H Still can't figure out why so many target shooters still think it's fine to turn ranges into dumpsites.

because many of the types that go out into the desert to shoot are not shooters. they are idiots that own guns. they treat shooting as being "cool" or "gangster". they don't care about 2A, they just want to shoot their guns, which they obtained legally or illegally.

every hobby have people like these. these are the bad apples that ruin it for the rest of us.

[bronco75a]

Besides the comaradery and sense of community the safety of public ranges is mostly comforting !

Here is an example of amateur hour on display. Sadly an innocent woman lost here life in Arizona.

https://bearingarms.com/tom-k/2018/01/16/buckeye-az-shooters-respond-tragic-stray-bullet-shooting/

You come off as snobish.

Go during off times or where others aren't and have a good backstop and don't fire across roads.

[audiophil2]

because many of the types that go out into the desert to shoot are not shooters. they are idiots that own guns. they treat shooting as being "cool" or "gangster". they don't care about 2A, they just want to shoot their guns, which they obtained legally or illegally.

every hobby have people like these. these are the bad apples that ruin it for the rest of us.

most people that own guns are not shooters. if they were then ranges would not have so many idiot proof rules. public land is free and mostly unregulated so it will always have the worst of the worst but i have seen more safety issues at pay ranges.

[Jimi Jah]

Sold my single cab Chevy and went ahead and bought me a new Tacoma off-road for the sole purposed of accessing BLM areas I can shoot at to be alone.

My lifted Jeep Wrangler JKU gets me anywhere. I leave the rest behind. Plenty of space out there if you can access it.

[j15w]

I've been to a range three times in my life, and once was to qualify for my ccw permit.

There's something about being up in the woods by yourself or with a group of friends, shooting how you want and when you want, that is awesome. Not having to worry about other people, the peacefulness, etc. Not a big fan of ranges.

This is one great thing about my part of California - lots of National Forest to go shoot in!

[LkPillsburyDude]

I enjoy shooting, a lot. Just like fishing and hunting and camping. But its also an excuse to get outdoors. If i was regulated to clubs and indoor shooting ranges i would probably stop shooting. The places i shoot are either private property or public land, far out enough that you dont see other people.

[omega]

Ive often seen groups of Hmong with very poor gun handling / gun safety training

like this kid firing from behind the line, and he sweeps the muzzle of his AR with his finger still on the trigger, very unsafe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlU4DFHTRbc