Public Shooting Area, Moral Dilemma

[Donny1]

Slightly longwinded.

Most people here from So Cal are likely familiar with Hodge Rd near Barstow. I live very close, about 20 minutes so it is a very convenient place to shoot. However, I generally only go on weekdays because of the mass amount of uneducated, unsafe shooters.

For those who don't know, it was legal, then it wasn't, now it is again, I guess. Shows as BLM open shooting on the SB County shooting map and there are dozens of people there every weekend now. There was a microwave tower idiots would not stop shooting at, now they took it down and moved it to the other side of the freeway. Anyway it has a bad rep.

I wanted to try out a couple of things today so I figured I would try to beat the crowd, go early and be gone before the masses arrived. Even though I went far away from the shooters already set up, there were a couple of small groups that showed up and parked near me, inevitable. So one guy, obviously the owner of all the guns is teaching some newbies. I walked over and introduced myself and listened to everything he was "teaching". All was inline with common safety. No guns were ever pointed in an unsafe direction. He was clear about everything and kept an eye on everyone very carefully. He was respectful to me, asking shooters to clear actions, place guns down before anyone went to place targets and the like.

I'm the first one to pack up and go if I think someone is unsafe. I'm feeling good about everything that is going on. Until ........... they start throwing objects in the air and shooting them!!!! With a Glock, with an AR!!!!! Clearly shooting over and above the backstop.

This is where my dilemma comes in. A short backstory: There was a shooting area in Azusa Canyon decades ago called Pigeon Ridge that is now closed. A friend of mine, a gunsmith, stopped to help someone with a rifle that was not working. Apparently, he insulted the person somehow and as he was walking away, about 50 yards down the road the guy shot him in the back, left of his heart by inches. He survived but went through years of extensive rehab to just be close to normal.

I'm feeling bad (guilty) that I did not talk to them about their unsafe practice, and even more so because he was teaching new shooters that will carry bad habits on.

I can never forget what happened to a good friend all those years ago and I always think about it when I'm in a public area, coupled with the fact that I am alone in the Desert.

What is your opinion.

On a side note, from what I comprehend of current CA law, you can not just hand a gun (loan) to someone to shoot anymore without paperwork.

[HawkMan]

I would say it has a lot to do with how you approach people, "Hey guys, I don't want to ruin anyone's fun, but please keep in mind you can only shoot bird shot into the air. Those bullets are going to travel very far and could easily kill someone."

[Scratch705]

this is why i don't want to visit BLM for shooting.

sure it is free and you can do what you want, but that also attracts the crowds that would get kicked out of a public range.

for me, it is private range at burro, or no shooting.

[Donny1]

this is why i don't want to visit BLM for shooting.

sure it is free and you can do what you want, but that also attracts the crowds that would get kicked out of a public range.

for me, it is private range at burro, or no shooting.

The open Desert is awesome for shooting, off roading and exploring. I wouldn't give it up for anything. I just made a poor choice to go there, on the wrong day.

If your ever in the area trust me, I can get somewhere in 45 minutes to shoot and you won't see a sole all day.

[Donny1]

I would say it has a lot to do with how you approach people, "Hey guys, I don't want to ruin anyone's fun, but please keep in mind you can only shoot bird shot into the air. Those bullets are going to travel very far and could easily kill someone."

Agreed. I know being tactful and polite would have likely worked out but I didn't want to bet my life on it. Also, 5-1 with guns all over. Like I said, it's bugging me.

[Spyder]

.....

[Win231]

Most morons can't be reasoned with. You aren't going to change an idiot's behavior. Regardless of how polite you are, any criticism will likely get you an "F--- You" response. And, it isn't worth the risk (as your friend found out). Best to just leave quietly.
I only shoot at public ranges; at least unsafe shooters are less likely to escalate when confronted. Unlike "shooting areas," too many witnesses.

[HawkMan]

Agreed. I know being tactful and polite would have likely worked out but I didn't want to bet my life on it. Also, 5-1 with guns all over. Like I said, it's bugging me.

Yea, completely understandable. Certainly don't beat yourself up over it for not saying anything, your safety should definitely be your #1 priority. I think leaving was a smart idea, even better if you can drive away in a direction where their bullets won't be over your head (or even worse, landing in it).

[Strykeback]

I try and find BLM land that no one else is around. Like my area would be rockfront but dependnng on fire or rain season it varies rapidly on closures. Lots of little fingers or canyons that you are pretty well sheltered from any morons that dont know how to handle a firearm. Im prepping for taking my 5 year old out to shoot 22s for the first time and the public range that i love as well. Too many dumb asses shooting large magnum loads at action targets splattering copper jackets everywhere isnt my idea of abquiet introduction.

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[CGZ]

Plenty of other BLM areas in the region with far less or no people.

[Cokebottle]

On a side note, from what I comprehend of current CA law, you can not just hand a gun (loan) to someone to shoot anymore without paperwork.

Still legal in the presence of the owner. This even applies to RAW except that the person must be 18+

[Donny1]

Still legal in the presence of the owner. This even applies to RAW except that the person must be 18+

Thank you

[Unbekannt]

The open Desert is awesome for shooting, off roading and exploring. I wouldn't give it up for anything. I just made a poor choice to go there, on the wrong day.

If your ever in the area trust me, I can get somewhere in 45 minutes to shoot and you won't see a sole all day.

Sometimes I go out to the Chimney Peak Wilderness. It is high desert. I go less than a mile from the entrance and I am all alone. Mountains provide a great backstop. You can see anybody coming from a long way off.

https://www.blm.gov/visit/chimney-peak-wilderness

Maybe we need a directory of cool places to shoot in the desert?

[EricT71]

Sometimes I go out to the Chimney Peak Wilderness. It is high desert. I go less than a mile from the entrance and I am all alone. Mountains provide a great backstop. You can see anybody coming from a long way off.

https://www.blm.gov/visit/chimney-peak-wilderness

Maybe we need a directory of cool places to shoot in the desert?

The "all alone" and "online directory" parts cannot co-exist...

[Marauder2003]

Donny1,

May I recommend the Apple Valley Gun Club at the Stoddard Wells exit on the 15?

4 pistol ranges. 2 trap ranges with throwers. Rifle range with at least one lane of 400 yds. Indoor .22 range. Archery range.

Outdoor gun ranges available sun-up to 22:00. All with lights. Indoor range and archery range available 24/7.

No RSOs. Everyone is responsible for range safety.

NRA membership required.