Markley's customer robbery/shooting (Nov? 2012)

[Wicked K5]

Wife and I saw this on the news this morning. Looks like we'll have to drive up to Metcalf or Laguna Seca from now on. The few times we've shot at Markley's, we've been lucky enough to park within 75 feet of the front door. Sounds like these victims had parked further into the ghetto down Blanca/Vic Rugh.

[uhlan1]

Brother, the whole town is gangville, there is no safe part. But someone can do this at virtually any public range.
I'm surprised the story doesn't have more legs here. This can happen at any range to law abiding gun owners. Someone said they like shooting at Reeds better because of LEO presence, but there are many LEO's that shoot at Markley's. Reeds also gives any bad guy almost instant freeway access.
Went to Markley's after work to get an hour or so in. About 20 lanes, only one couple in there. Left shortly after I arrived and I had the whole place to myself until I was almost finished.
Far more employees than customers, sad. Great guys there, it was on the house.
I think it's important we stand, frequent our ranges so they stay in business and not let the bangers control us.

[DeanW66]

Heard about this on the news too. Waayy scary to happen, I always wondered why it hadn't happened more since it would be like shooting ducks frozen in a pond.

[Iflyfish]

OK---I feel enough time has passed that I can say what I want here. I was the one who confronted the little GB A hole that tried to rob me of my guns-we WERE targeted! We had to park around the corner because it was our first time there and we did not know about parking in the back. Nor does this facility have a SAFE and SECURE parking area where gun owners can enter and exit without the possiblity of assault. I noticed one man in a car two vehicles behind ours-i looked him down pretty hard-hence the reason they did not get out of their vehicle right away-after securing my weapons in the back of the vehicle I felt I could relax as my SIL unlocked the doors from the drivers side. When i turned to look back the kid held a 45 to my head gang bang style (tilted) and ordered me to give him my guns-I lowered my hands as he lowered the weapon-I then saw my opportunity to grab his gun hand and pull the weapon behind me-as I did so I was able to warn my SIL and he turned and ran. I did not have a good grip on the gunman and could not complete my take-down and warn my SIL at the same time-so the gunman-who is maybe 16-fell back away from as I went into a tuck and roll toward him-he then ran AWAY from me -so I ran faster than I ever had down the street when I heard three shots fired-thought he was shooting out the window of my vehicle-turns out he was shooting at my SIL-SIL caught a bullet right through the middle of his right lower leg-shattering both bones-two surguries and a cadaver bone-he will still walk with a limp-I would like to see that ALL gun shops be made to have a safe and secure entrance and egress for its clients--I do NOT recommend going to Markleys again until then-because of my actions-the next guy will just be shoy right away.

[tmh1]

Wow, just WOW. Looks like I will be carrying my Taser between my range and the car for now on.

And for others who want to do the same, the "cosmetic blem" C2's are still available for $180 + $12 shipping = $192 here:

http://www.ar500armor.com/taser-c2.html

I got mine yesterday, and could not find any "cosmetic blemish". And it was nice that the unit had been "pre-activated" by Taser - no need to go through the activation process. A Blackhawk Tactical Holster from Amazon finishes out the ensemble, and now I can feel a little less helpless.

[uhlan1]

OK---I feel enough time has passed that I can say what I want here. I was the one who confronted the little GB A hole that tried to rob me of my guns-we WERE targeted! We had to park around the corner because it was our first time there and we did not know about parking in the back. Nor does this facility have a SAFE and SECURE parking area where gun owners can enter and exit without the possiblity of assault. I noticed one man in a car two vehicles behind ours-i looked him down pretty hard-hence the reason they did not get out of their vehicle right away-after securing my weapons in the back of the vehicle I felt I could relax as my SIL unlocked the doors from the drivers side. When i turned to look back the kid held a 45 to my head gang bang style (tilted) and ordered me to give him my guns-I lowered my hands as he lowered the weapon-I then saw my opportunity to grab his gun hand and pull the weapon behind me-as I did so I was able to warn my SIL and he turned and ran. I did not have a good grip on the gunman and could not complete my take-down and warn my SIL at the same time-so the gunman-who is maybe 16-fell back away from as I went into a tuck and roll toward him-he then ran AWAY from me -so I ran faster than I ever had down the street when I heard three shots fired-thought he was shooting out the window of my vehicle-turns out he was shooting at my SIL-SIL caught a bullet right through the middle of his right lower leg-shattering both bones-two surguries and a cadaver bone-he will still walk with a limp-I would like to see that ALL gun shops be made to have a safe and secure entrance and egress for its clients--I do NOT recommend going to Markleys again until then-because of my actions-the next guy will just be shoy right away.

Why do I think there is more to this story? Mmm?

[ElToro]

38 and a wife whose dad is 46. Good for him.

[Squidward]

This was an unfortunate (and isolated) event. Several of the gun shops in the area that I have been to have sketchy parking lot access. To make a statement like, "I do NOT recommend going to Markleys again until then" is unfair to Markley's. BTW, The area where this event occured is approximately 100 yards away from the Markley's building on a public street..

For gun shops having the luxury of their own parking lot, your idea may work. But for those that share building space and parking lot space (like Markley's does in the back) with other businesses it's probably not an option.

No, I'm not an employee/owner of Markley's. I just shoot there.

[movie zombie]

it is Watsonville.
one must always be on guard.
I park on the street but get their early enough to be right in front or at the very least park in front across the street.
the area around Markley's has always been iffy but at least in the past there was enough off duty LE going in and out that it wasn't a worry.

[smith and wesson]

Why do I think there is more to this story? Mmm?

Hah what more do you want?

[CodyGT46]

it is Watsonville.
one must always be on guard.
I park on the street but get their early enough to be right in front or at the very least park in front across the street.

This exactly.

[Iflyfish]

it is Watsonville.
one must always be on guard.
I park on the street but get their early enough to be right in front or at the very least park in front across the street.
the area around Markley's has always been iffy but at least in the past there was enough off duty LE going in and out that it wasn't a worry.

As clients of a shooting range-we should have access to safe entrance and exit. Until they put armed security in the parking lot-I will have nothing further to do with that facility. I sincerely hope that you shooters that do use that range are not the next victim. The only reason I was not shot was because of martial arts and weapons removal training. I was never in fear, just pissed the bastard got that close to me. My SIL was just too stupid too run when I told him to. And for those that do the math, his wife is my step daughter, she is ten years younger than he.

[Iflyfish]

This was an unfortunate (and isolated) event. Several of the gun shops in the area that I have been to have sketchy parking lot access. To make a statement like, "I do NOT recommend going to Markleys again until then" is unfair to Markley's. BTW, The area where this event occured is approximately 100 yards away from the Markley's building on a public street..

For gun shops having the luxury of their own parking lot, your idea may work. But for those that share building space and parking lot space (like Markley's does in the back) with other businesses it's probably not an option.

No, I'm not an employee/owner of Markley's. I just shoot there.

This event was bound to happen sooner or later-it was just a matter of time. This was the first time I went to that range, and I felt the danger just walking down the street-so, if you want to take your chances, that is your choice. Just remember, they will just shoot you for the weapons next time. They could easily secure the parking lot. I am surprised that their insurance company had not made them do it already.

[Boblaw]

Wow...sounds like some CGr's want to regulate gun ranges...The range has no greater responsibility than any other place of business. The attempted robbery did not occur on their property. These perps were probably just looking for easy victims for the reasons stated by others above. Of course, open carry could have prevented this, but the California Liberals put an end to that as it was just too disconcerting to see people carrying "GUNS". If I lived in the area I would go to that range more often, not less. If I was the owner, I would have armed employees walk the range users to the edge of the lot at a minimum.

[chainsaw]

I go to Watsonville, Castroville, and Salinas occasionally. I haven't been to Markley's in several weeks, but I intend to go there soon.

Remember: There have been way more armed hostage situations and serious shootings in the parking lot of Reed's (one) than at Markley's (zero).