Range Officer Rant :D

[Disposable Heart]

Retracted due to demand: INGO and all others have my sincerest apology for the unprofessional and rude thread.

 

[Disposable Heart]

Retracted due to demand: INGO and all others have my sincerest apology for the unprofessional and rude thread.

 

[btownie]

Sheesh. These ranges sound like death traps.
If you make them watch a video of someone getting shot by accident maybe they will get the hint?

 

[Westside]

on every single word.

I will add. When we correct your thumb position on semi-automatic pistols it is not because we are trying to make you feel bad or embarrass you in front of your friends or girlfriend. We correct it because we don't want you to slice your hand open and we don't want to clean up blood.



Think we can talk Guy into a different color shirt?

 

[paddling_man]

Hey, hold my beer and watch this...

 

[Westside]

Sheesh. These ranges sound like death traps.
If you make them watch a video of someone getting shot by accident maybe they will get the hint?

the thought of showing up dressed like this with my red shirt on has crossed my mind.

 

[Jake46184]

I avoid ranges these days but, back when they were my only option, I found that both customers and employees (or, as the OP suggests, sometimes volunteers) at said establishments often left much to be desired. I'm not sure I ever did run across either who knew 1/2 of what they thought they did. Ranges, public or private, are a shooter's worst-case option. If you can find private land to shoot on, even if you have to drive a long way to get there, it's a far better solution to one's shooting needs.

 

[maxmayhem]

I just went to a range the other day. A young couple had rented a glock 17 and had opted to go shooting instead of putt putt. The guy and girl about mid twenties were saying..."Ok, we racked a bullet in. Now we have to do it again, right?"....I said, "Did you ask them how to operate this gun when you rented it?" Answer.."No"......I get really nervous at shooting ranges. If someone around me is new then I just stop shooting and watch them. I am not bashful and jumping in to let them know that they are doing something wrong either. I helped them and gave them some basic safety and shooting tips to keep them killing me or themselves. I get what you are saying.

 

[green55]

Very nice rant…don't get a chance to say that often! I like the part about people who, just b/c they are or used to be associated with a group, think they are crack shots.

I've seen PLENTY of Soldiers at a range shooting like they had never held a weapon before (sadly…and they're usually female, but that's an argument/thread all on its own).

 

[green55]

I just went to a range the other day. A young couple had rented a glock 17 and had opted to go shooting instead of putt putt. The guy and girl about mid twenties were saying..."Ok, we racked a bullet in. Now we have to do it again, right?"....I said, "Did you ask them how to operate this gun when you rented it?" Answer.."No"......I get really nervous at shooting ranges. If someone around me is new then I just stop shooting and watch them. I am not bashful and jumping in to let them know that they are doing something wrong either. I helped them and gave them some basic safety and shooting tips to keep them killing me or themselves. I get what you are saying.

Well played…I would have done the same thing. The safer you keep them, the safer you are keeping yourself too!

 

[sparkyfender]

Wow.
Makes me glad I own my own land.
NO one to bother me; be it another customer or a "range officer."

 

[Westside]

Wow.
Makes me glad I own my own land.
NO one to bother me; be it another customer or a "range officer."

just for the record we don't like "bothering people" we would much rather just sit back and relax.

And, we only "bother you" if you are doing something unsafe.

 

[GIJEW]

Sheesh. These ranges sound like death traps.
If you make them watch a video of someone getting shot by accident maybe they will get the hint?

The death-trap is on Laffayette Rd next to Laff. Sq. mall. I could tell stories that explain why I don't go there anymore, but it would become a thread jack.

 

[churchmouse]

No problems from me OP. You stay the course. I belong to a local range and for the most part it is self policing, safe and comfortable. A guest did not recognize or pay attention to call for Cold. People were down range on the other end and I removed my eye s and ears for a relax. Hot day. Darn fool stepped to the yellow and got 2 rounds off from a .44 Mag right next to my head. My falling to the ground in pain drew his attention to the issue and he was disarmed and escorted out with no resistance. I know he did not do it on purpose but man, pay attention. I still have a ringing in my right ear and it has been near 3 weeks. Stay safe.

 

[Disposable Heart]

Wow.
Makes me glad I own my own land.
NO one to bother me; be it another customer or a "range officer."

And that is perfectly fine.

I think clarification is in order: I am not paid to be a jagov to customers. I am paid to be nice and help people if they ask. The other thing I am paid to do is make sure the rules are followed. Yes, some rules that we offer may seem obtrusive, but all are there to help protect not only the "professionals" but also new shooters. Organized ranges are places for beginners, no doubt. Personal land is generally reserved for folks who want to shoot their way, and in a way, accept personal responsibility for their actions if something happens.

No where am I paid to give instruction (unless I am helping with a class), I am not paid to help people shoot. But if they ask, I am there. There are some ROs that I have met that will try to change people's shooting or "help" them and they are usually dealt with by the other ROs (had this happen a few times). I am not out there to "bother" you.

I shoot long range at a friend's farm close to Cloverdale. I have to muck animal stalls for an hour before hand, but it's worth being able to shoot 600+ yards. But even there, it's my friend's land and I have to follow his rules. Think my range's rules are strict? His are even more strict and stifling in some concepts. But it's HIS land and HIS range.

 

[Roscoe38]

R/O

I've been a Range Safety Officer for quite a while now, over 6 years now. I've worked in a gunstore as well, but not quite as long. I have seen some really wacky stuff, other days bored out of my gourd. Then again, it's not supposed to be a fun job, just a safe one.

Some of the stuff may make some folks mad, but hey, it's what I have observed.

I'll let you all in on a few things :

I am not your buddy or friend. I am there to make sure you don't shoot someone else or yourself. You signed a waiver, so if you do something stupid, it's on you and now YOUR responsibility. But, I have to make sure everyone gets home alive and with only the factory installed amount of holes. If you do something hinky and we ask you to stop, then STOP. If you don't like rules, go somewhere else. It's safety, not us being nazis, hardarses, or insert the plethora of things we have been called.

Many of us are not paid, that's right, only a small percentage are paid. If we give you some free tips, insight or thoughts, they are adjusted for inflation. But in reverse, please don't give the RO any static b/c you want to show off to your friends or girlfriend. They are there to promote the sport, not stroke your ego.

Wearing camoflauge with white athletic shoes, Unky Mike's floppy-master special holsters, black nylon shoulder holsters, UTG load bearing vests, zombie hunter t-shirts and tea cup/saucer grip while shooting honestly make you look like dorks. Sorry, but that's the way it is.

Just b/c granddad was a Nazi smasher 80 years ago doesn't mean he should necessarily shoot. Folks can barely open a car door generally do not understand the rules, cannot hear you, forgot how to follow directions or are mentally just not cognizant of their actions. Same with kids or new shooters. If you bring out one of "these", please keep an eye on them and not get riled up if we gently remind them or try to help them.

I know, I know, new gun, OMG, you wanna shoot it!!! The excitement of a new gun is certainly an exhilirating thing! But, don't let it cloud your mind and it doesn't exempt you from the range rules or common courtesy. Stow the excitement for 5 minutes so we can give you the rundown on range rules and please follow the rules. Guns are tools, NOT toys. Sweeping everyone at the range or touching the gun when we are cold (people down range) to show it off could get someone hurt.

An Airweight .38 or .45 Automatic is a poor gun to teach a girlfriend or new shooter with. Understand this when trying to teach them, recoil is not cute or funny and the lack of training that can come from fear of the weapon could get your gal or friend killed.

If you have $1k for a budget, and buying yourself a 700 dollar gun and getting your wife/girlfriend a 200 dollar gun and drinking 100 remainder sort of shows up to people who are observant. Pretty sick and self centered, but hey, your life and money.

Just b/c you were, are or are going to be an instructor/cop/military/Power Ranger, etc... doesn't mean you are 1. A good shooter 2. A safe shooter or 3. Above the safety rules that everyone else has to follow. I have threatened bans on countless individuals who thought they were above safety. Wanna be Johnny Tacticool and too cool for rules? Please leave.

We try to be very calm and courteous if we have to give a correction or reminder. Keep acting like a jagov, well, you will likely get a slightly louder reminder, like a "Hey!" or similar. Remember, NOT TOYS, DEADLY WEAPONS you dingus. Please don't horse with your guns when people are down range, loaded or not.

I hope you all enjoyed this. Feel free to scream, threaten or cajole all you want.

You should take a run up to Roush Lake. There the R/O's are friends with anyone who wants to be friends They are not the JBT's you appear to be. Take into consideration that most of us shooters will police the range if needed. A lot of us belong to CC's and we understand that "children" need to be counceled about range courtesys. Get yourself a bull horn and a timer. If you run range like a pro you wouldn't be ranting on this forum.

 

[Disposable Heart]

You should take a run up to Roush Lake. There the R/O's are friends with anyone who wants to be friends They are not the JBT's you appear to be. Take into consideration that most of us shooters will police the range if needed. A lot of us belong to CC's and we understand that "children" need to be counceled about range courtesys. Get yourself a bull horn and a timer. If you run range like a pro you wouldn't be ranting on this forum.

Actually, I think you missed the spirit of the post, but hey, no biggie. Making sure people don't touch their guns during a cease fire isn't being a JBT, it's making sure the environment is safe. But feel free to shoot at a CC. I shot at a CC in Ohio as a kid and was down range with a 'tard blasted loose some rounds.

BUT, that being said, if a customer at our range sees something hinky, we ALWAYS encourage them to be proactive.

 

[nipprdog]

Making sure people don't touch their guns during a cease fire isn't being a JBT, it's making sure the environment is safe.

Agreed.

 

[Mackey]

I just went to a range the other day. A young couple had rented a glock 17 and had opted to go shooting instead of putt putt. The guy and girl about mid twenties were saying..."Ok, we racked a bullet in. Now we have to do it again, right?"....I said, "Did you ask them how to operate this gun when you rented it?" Answer.."No"......I get really nervous at shooting ranges. If someone around me is new then I just stop shooting and watch them. I am not bashful and jumping in to let them know that they are doing something wrong either. I helped them and gave them some basic safety and shooting tips to keep them killing me or themselves. I get what you are saying.

This is an example of good service to the community. It's possible one or both of those people could become responsible gun owners in the future due to what you did.

 

[Mackey]

You should take a run up to Roush Lake. There the R/O's are friends with anyone who wants to be friends They are not the JBT's you appear to be. Take into consideration that most of us shooters will police the range if needed. A lot of us belong to CC's and we understand that "children" need to be counceled about range courtesys. Get yourself a bull horn and a timer. If you run range like a pro you wouldn't be ranting on this forum.

Whoa.
I got to admit, I got a little irritated at the condescending tone of this rant ... but I wasn't going to say it.