Robbed on BLM?

[Jimi Jah]

Are those wide open parts really that dangerous? Sounds like the wild west.

Not really, some think it's worse than downtown LA after midnight, but it isn't.

Pay attention and it's fine. Just like any other place. And don't fire warning shots at people! Just holding an AR pistol usually says enough to strangers.

[JTROKS]

Back in the early part of the 90s there was a public place in Palmdale where my uncle, cousins and me would go up to to shoot. We would set up bowling pins and shoot at distant rocks with our 30-30s and my 270. I knew there were risks involved shooting in that area for I've seen guys with gang related tattoos shooting their guns fast at any junk or target left by other shooters. They usually shoot and scoot as in gone in 10-15 minutes. We usually have at least 2 in our group with the Mini-14, AK and AR with the big mags as a deterrence to anyone thinking about robbing us. If the gangbangers are bold enough to put hits on LEOs they wouldn't think twice taking easy targets.

http://www.policemag.com/channel/gangs/news/2012/10/23/sureno-gang-member-gets-life-for-killing-l-a-county-deputy.aspx

[Phouty]

I mostly shoot in BLM. Never any issues. Only people eager to try each other firearms out.

Old geezer here.
There were times in the history of our so called Golden State, that carrying a loaded handgun in the glove compartment of your car was legal, and such places as the (in)famous Lyttle Creek was a regular "war zone" on every weekend. And it was legal to target practice in the forest around the Big Bear, Wrightwood and so on.

Never any issues on BLM land near Barstow. More than 25 years of shooting on my self professed "private range" over there. (Incredible place...although not gonna share the info about its location with others...mind you). Many accidental guys approaching and being curious about firearms I was shooting. (I mostly go there alone).
Never any issues, but loaded S&W or H&K always on my hip.
Found many new friends in such situations. Among the others (this was funny), one "shabby character" approaching me one day and asking to try one of my guns. I was really scared based on the way he'd looked liked. Anyway, he's been my trusted tax attorney for the past 20 years.
Also met my one-and-only auto mechanic in a similar situation.

So, lets not be paranoid, however so called full awareness is a must.
And don't be afraid of trusting strangers!
It makes life really simple and easy.

I know, I know...my generation was taught in schools, that in a case of any trouble, simply go to the first available adult and ask for help. Scary by today's standards, isn't it?

Trust, but be ready for everything.
(End of one old geezer's BS stories).

[JDay]

but no safe (young and stupid, plus it was not the law back then either).

The law only requires you to have a safe if a prohibited person lives with you.

[CityHunt3r]

YOU ARE A F@$%&* MORON ...........................

Yeah that was a bit... overkill. I undetstand one should always be safe but there is a line where you gonfrom being cautious to paranoid. Not everyone that approaches you is going to try to rob you.

I've approached other shooters and have had other shooters approach me at the blm I go to. Usually its just a greet and sometimes we shoot each other's guns. Ive bumped into a few fellow calgunners as well. If you see me out in the BLM feel free to say hi.

[PseudoTsuga]

I have heard a version of the same thing happening at Panoche Hills in the central valley.

Story goes, couple people finish shooting. Having shot all their ammo they are cleaning up. Vehicle makes contact as friendlies.... "Hey how's it going? You leaving? Can we shoot here? What were you shooting? Gimme me all your guns!" as they draw a weapon.

Something alone those lines. Not sure if it really happened.

Spiddy sense on high when out on BLM. Always have a way out and a way to defend yourself.

That's funny. I guess not everyone learns the same lessons growing up!

I remember when I was about twelve, plinking with my 10/22 off of the back porch. Shot a brick.
Wanted to shoot some more so I went to my dad and asked him if he needed to go to town anytime that day and if so, if I could go with him to get more .22 bricks.
He asked me how much I had left.
When I told him none, he was pissed!
"You NEVER shoot ALL your ammo!!! What good is a gun you don't have ammo for??"

[SB1964]

I went out today, all by myself. Wore my big boy britches too! Last spring, out on some BLM I was setting up a small spot by myself & a large group nearby kept waving me over. Nice group a few small kids shootin as well. They had some really nice targets set-up & let me shoot a 762x39 AR. I let 2 guys shoot my .308. Turns out a few weeks later I sold some ammo to a calgunner that was part of the group, cool dude. I saw a Calguns shooting sports sticker today on a 4runner. I don't normally approach people outdoors, but I'm usually friendly. I did a mini cleanup in my area today as I left.

I have a decent 3 part swinger target, 3/2/1 inch. Bent up the 3 inch with 9mm, guess I should be happy.

[Press Check]

I'm pretty confident someone was thinking hard about robbing my small group about a month ago in barstow blm.

At about 10 pm a white civic drove by our camp quickly, then came back and slowly drove past our camp as if checking it out, then drove off, came back passing us slowly and did this a total of 3 times. On the last time they came by instead of leaving they took a turn and drove up a hill about 300 yards from our camp perfectly overlooking it and turned off their lights and sat there for about 20 minutes before finally leaving for the night.

I'm in the SFV, but Barstow BLM is where we shoot because it's near my brother in Victorville. In our trips there, we have found soot-covered drums indicative of a bonfire, piles of burned garbage, make-shift campsites in odd areas, abandoned vehicles, ATV tracks, dirt bike tracks, and all sorts of tell-tale signs that point towards "off the beaten path" activities, in addition to other things that point towards a certain degree of lawlessness that can be had away from public view.

You can never be too careful, and I'm glad nothing became of that incident with the Honda.

[Nacho_Eater]

I'm in the SFV, but Barstow BLM is where we shoot because it's near my brother in Victorville. In our trips there, we have found soot-covered drums indicative of a bonfire, piles of burned garbage, make-shift campsites in odd areas, abandoned vehicles, ATV tracks, dirt bike tracks, and all sorts of tell-tale signs that point towards "off the beaten path" activities, in addition to other things that point towards a certain degree of lawlessness that can be had away from public view.

Sounds like an episode of Breaking Bad!

[Inkman]

Northern and central Nevada are great places to go shooting in the hills. Rarely ever see or run into anyone.

Yes, be aware but don't live your lives in fear of what could happen. Life is too short.

Al

[patriot_man]

I've only ran into another group once. They were asking if they could pass through.

Just keep your eyes open. Everytime I go out I just wear my helmet and plate carrier. Nothing has happened so far and I hope it stays that way.