Safety or BS?

[auser6664]

[texas_law_dog]

Now, how is it unsafe for me to insert a loaded mag into my gun and let my uncle shoot it?

It is not unsafe. What isn't safe is someone unfamiliar with loading a magazine fumbling around and accidently pointing the muzzle in a bad direction. Seems ok to me.

[P5Ret]

Most every range I have been to has a rule along the line of not placing a loaded firearm on the bench. So yeah it's probably their "safety" rule. More than likely because of the risk assessment done by their insurance carrier.

[Jimmy's]

I never insert a mag for anyone.

[Win231]

For a beginner, I'd be more concerned about who chambered the first round than who inserted the magazine.

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

I think it is based on the operator of the weapon having full knowledge and control of what state the weapon is in. I don't think what you were doing was un safe, but a range officer likely has his idea of what is a better safety requirement. neither of those is technically wrong and goes back to the adage of you can never be too safe......

[BrassCase]

When a shooter brings someone to the PISTOL range who has not shot before I ask them to please start them with only one round in the magazine so that they can get accustomed to the explosion that is about to happen in front of there face and the associated recoil. Then I ask them to put two rounds in the next time and then from there load up.

We do not have any rules concerning who puts the mag in or even who charges the gun.

[omega]

the safest way is to let the shooter load it and fire it himself

leaving a firearm loaded can cause an accident for a person not familiar with firearms, it's better to let them learn the whole procedure.

not just hand them a rifle and say just pull the trigger, they need to know how to fully operate it

[CALI-gula]

Most every range I have been to has a rule along the line of not placing a loaded firearm on the bench. So yeah it's probably their "safety" rule. More than likely because of the risk assessment done by their insurance carrier.

Same here; at cease fire, gun if on the bench should be open-chamber/open-bolt/open-cylinder, safety on if applicable, and magazine removed. Sounds like they are applying it between switching shooters to some degree, which to some precaution, seems to make sense.

Learning to insert and remove the magazine to verify empty, should be every part of learning to operate the firearm safely anyway.

.

[Barang]

I did this when taking my nephews and niece to the range and the ROs didn't say anything to us. I was intructing them and stood right next to them the whole time.

[tuna quesadilla]

Was it Lytle Creek? Those guys have gone fully retarded in the name of safety recently. I know for a fact that is one of their rules--you can't hand off a firearm, especially loaded; you have to set it down on the bench, unloaded, and the other person has to then pick it up and load it themselves.

And a couple months ago I showed up with the chamber flags as I always use, only to be told that mine weren't acceptable and that I had to buy theirs. Fortunately one of the other ROs had a few in his pocket that he let me use.

I'll be sticking to BLM land...

[Califpatriot]

Stupid RSO FUD. That being said, if you're handling a firearm, you should be able to operate all basic functions of it while obeying the four rules. I've found it useful to have a few practice rounds and walk new shooters through safe handling while they actually do it themselves until they master basic safe operation.

[Tarmy]

Most places I shoot and I leave the gun on the bench...no mag, chamber open and up. Makes sense if for some reason you need to step away.

From what I see, there are alot of not too bright folks at indoor ranges these days. Never had any RO say anything...but I would never set down a loaded firearm for someone inexperienced to pick up. Too many things that could happen...just my take.

[russ69]

I'm a range rat. The common practice is to leave an empty pistol on the bench with the muzzle pointing down range, no magazine, and the action or cylinder open. You were not unsafe, just a little bit out of normal safety protocols.
For new shooters, I demonstrate that then I let them take the firing position and I expect them to repeat what I just demonstrated.

[dwalker]

Which range?