What would you guys do?

[Rem222]

NOTHING, as long as they were safe...

I don't bother anyone at the range unless they are unsafe!

I have to agree. As long as they were handling the rifles in a safe manner I would stay out of it. Perhaps go up and say hello and mention Calguns to them. Never hurts to make new friends....

[truthseeker]

I would just ask them if they are members here!

If they said yes, then I would stay out of it.

If they said no, I would right down the web address and tell them to join!

Or I would just wait till they are leaving and go ask them the same questions above and if they were not members here I would give them a copy of the "good papers".

[Vinz]

If they are doing something illegal striking up a conversation will not hurt. Some people just do not know the law, not everyone is trying to make a political statement with their illegality. They could be normal gun owners that made a mistake. Your actions could save them a lifetime of problems.

Think of it this way, worst case scenario:

If you talk to them-they are breaking the law and do not care. They tell you to get lost and you do.

If you do nothing-they get arrested for a felony, loose there 2nd A rights, there life is ruined, and all gun owners now look bad.

I agree. Some of you said that it was none of own business but in the larger picture it actually is. Every bad event is a mark against us. No harm in starting a conversation for a closer look. If he's legal good if he is not compliant than you can make friendly suggestions. You just saved a fellow gun owner. Why are we so afraid to get to know each other?

When ever I get questioned at the range I try to be friendly about my answers. I have made a lot of good friends at the range over the years. I've let strangers handle and shoot a few of my rifles. Come to see them the next time out with a fresh OLL build.

Like Ivanimal said "information is king".

vinz

[MontClaire]

How in a h*ll do you know if they were not registered AW? They could have been registered to someone else ( a relative for example ). They could have been old "granpa", "uncle" stash. There could be 20 other explanations that I can think of the bat. Don't assume anything yet. Better not to poke in to other people's business especially at the range.

[mrhappy]

I've had that happen at a local range that is members only (supposedly) and there's practically never any rangemaster or other official. Me and my shooting buddy were diligently top loading our AK's and AR's--this is before the BB's became readily available. A group of five very young guys show up with AR's and commence to break out hi-caps and do their thing. We don't know these guys, and the last thing we want is a confrontation in this situation. Shortly, we packed up and left.

[doc1buc]

To the OP- are you sure the guns in question were not configured with BB's? Especially if a person was using a tool mounted on a finger-ring, that might give the impression of one rapidly dropping mags.
Just a thought. I would mind my own business.

+1,
To the OP, you are ASSUMING that the shooters had AW and were automatically breaking the law based on their ASSUMED age, that is prejudice. That would be like ticketing a corvette because it MIGHT go fast.

[Stormfeather]

I agree. Some of you said that it was none of own business but in the larger picture it actually is. Every bad event is a mark against us. No harm in starting a conversation for a closer look. If he's legal good if he is not compliant than you can make friendly suggestions. You just saved a fellow gun owner. Why are we so afraid to get to know each other?

When ever I get questioned at the range I try to be friendly about my answers. I have made a lot of good friends at the range over the years. I've let strangers handle and shoot a few of my rifles. Come to see them the next time out with a fresh OLL build.

Like Ivanimal said "information is king".

vinz

And that right there ladies and gentlemen, is exactly how it should be done. We arent in this for ourselves, we are in this fight as a collective whole. As Turby said, if/when these guys get busted, if they was doing something wrong, whats the first thing all of us would probally say? "Gee. . .maybe they should have checked out CGN". ..or " man this makes us look really bad. . ."
Stop and think about this. . . . every single person who we put on the right track, is a point for us. . .every single person who is doing it wrong, and one of us witness's it, and does nothing, is a mark against us. The days of MYOB need to be OVER! Every single person here needs to know what Stewardship is. . . . and practice it. Each and every time you do not, you are doing nothing but hurting the good fight.

[Fate]

Depending on what they have, I might actually ask to shoot it!

[BONECUTTER]

I have sold 30 round mags to an FBI agent who looked like he was 16 max.

I have seen what looks like an 18 year old with a 14.5 colt with 30 round mags....who ended up being an ATF agent.

I have seen a hard core banger type with a 10inch barreled AR who was an undercover homeland security agent.

I have seen countless 18-20 years olds with stadard AR's who all have MAWP's.

Hard to judge books by their covers these days.

[high_revs]

I just do myob. I did post last month or month before I saw a group of guys passing the bullet wrench tool and detaching the mags from a evil-configured rifle. I didn't really pay heed (myob) also because I was on my way out, both hands carrying something along with something hanging at my neck.

I usually don't pay attention also to what others do while I'm shooting (it's my time) but I do socialize and walk down and chat with others (during cease fire and I'm done with my targets, or I finished early during a hot session). 'Sides, these folks are out there for a reason and I can't assume their time out there is not valuable to them (work hard/play hard) and I'm bugging them with a possible assumption.

Now if we can strike a good conversation, I might pose a question or two if they have something out of the ordinary. Maybe even pay the naive part of "have laws changed?!? More relaxed now? Man, I'm out of touch. I need to look that up asap!" Pull them into the conversation thru questions; not push it to them sounding like a know-it-all.

[supersonic]

As a supporter of the uninfringed right to keep and bear arms, I wouldnt get up into people's business or be a tattle tale. The only valid circumstance i believe it is necessary to either say something to chasten another gun owner or report to a range master is to deal with specific safety concerns. I don't care what configuration your 'evil' firearm is- I just dont want it pointed in my direction or to see your nose probe anywhere near the trigger unless you're pointed down range.

AAARRRGGGH!!!!!! You stole my thoughts exactly!!!!!!!!

[gunsmithcats]

I have sold 30 round mags to an FBI agent who looked like he was 16 max.

I have seen what looks like an 18 year old with a 14.5 colt with 30 round mags....who ended up being an ATF agent.

I have seen a hard core banger type with a 10inch barreled AR who was an undercover homeland security agent.

I have seen countless 18-20 years olds with stadard AR's who all have MAWP's.

Hard to judge books by their covers these days.

My experiences reflect similarly
Because of my active duty status, im lucky to have some goodies in California. I'm usually left alone at most ranges but have been casually asked at times what it is im shooting as im clearly using high caps with detach capabilities. At least they ask politely and non confrontationally
"hey there, what you shooting? Looks pretty fun"
I can tell theyre just kinda fishing to see how i respond
"oh just an ar-15 and a mak90, its nice to have them in non neutered status because im military"

"ahh ic, thats pretty cool"
No harm done, dont mind a little small chat.
If someone gave me ***** about it though, then thats a different game and i'd tell em to fock off. They can call the cops if they want, im 100% legal.

[SDgarrick]

I saw some kids at a public range this weekend that I would categorize as "young adult". One had a nice looking Wasr-10. I approached him and complimented his rifle, he seemed excited at the chance to show it off. Really I was just seeing if it had a BB, because as a gun owner, I believe we are all in this together and I'd hate for someone to get in trouble for ignorance. He showed it to me and I said "Hmm Radlock eh? Good call." He just replied "Yup". we spoke a few minutes longer and I wished him a good day. I wasn't sticking my nose in his business, I was simply striking up a conversation with the intent of keeping ONE OF US out of jail. To all those with the "MYOB!" attitude, If it were me and I were ignorant, I hope one of you would educate me. If I choose to ignore you, then that's one me, but at least you offered salvation.

[Adonlude]

Sure their rifles weren't featureless?

[fed20]

Depending on how they were acting, I'd mosey over and ask some simple questions about their gun to start a conversation. If it seemed like it was an illegally configured setup, I'd pull out the handy AW flowchart and give it to them. Just tell them nobody wants the po-po taking ANYONE'S guns. And that a felony can sure put a damper on a young man Firearm owning life.

What they do with the information is up to them. But we don't need other gun owners giving us black eyes. Nor a misguided gun owner being deprived of his 2nd A rights for a loong time. Remember, we are all in this together!

Justin

+1. Just be careful how to approach