LGS would not let me rent a M&P40c

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flat_topp

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I've been wanting to try out a M&P40 compact for possible purchase for concealed carry (never shot a compact before), so I went to a local range that listed it on their website as available for rental. When I got there, they said I could not rent any firearm because I did not meet their requirements. They told me that they require one of the following in order to rent:

1. Bring a second person with me to the range. OR ...
2. Bring one of my own firearms to the range with me.

When I asked why the rules, they told me because of suicides. I guess there have been too many depressed individuals who show up to a gun range, rent a pistol, and take their own life! I have rented pistols at a different range near me without these requirements, so I was a bit surprised at their rules. Do any of the ranges near you enforce rules like this to prevent suicides?
 
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I've never come across this rule, but my philosophy is their range, their rules. If someone doesn't like it, they can go somewhere else. I wouldn't have a problem since I always bring a few of my pistols along. No one wants to have a suicide happen in their place of business, and it can bring bad publicity that can take a while to recover from.
 
One of the few public ranges in Massachusetts started requiring atleast one person in a party to hold a LTC because of a suicide. Before i got my LTC i went to a range in New Hampshire since i had no where else to go. The range had me call someone to confirm that i was not mentally ill or depressed.

It sucks that a range will do what happened to you, you are there to test out a potentially new handgun. But the range does not want blood on their hands.
 
No. Give them an ID, watch a video the first time and tell them what gun I want to use. Been a while but it seems like there was a form telling them I could legally possess a firearm and I suppose it may have included something about not feeling suicidal but I don't recall now.

I used the option to rent multiple guns for a whopping $2 more and was able to compare the M&P to a Glock.

Bringing your own gun to prevent suicide with their gun? I suppose the theory is you aren't a person who can't get one looking for a source to end it all with. Bringing your own to sit on the bench while silly shouldn't be a real problem I suppose, if you know in advance.

Although coming in to try and buy your first gun would make it more difficult if you don't have somebody who is into shooting looking to spend some fun time at the range/gun shop.
 
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Supposedly there are some ranges across the country doing this because of suicides. They don't have a gun then this is the way to go for it I guess. Can you imagine the relatives of a suicide shooter could even file charges against the gun shop that rented the gun.
Mental illness has been a problem for gun rights and it could become even more of a problem.
 
flat_topp said:
I've been wanting to try out a M&P40 compact for possible purchase for concealed carry (never shot a compact before), so I went to a local range that listed it on their website as available for rental. When I got there, they said I could not rent any firearm because I did not meet their requirements. They told me that they require one of the following in order to rent:

1. Bring a second person with me to the range. OR ...
2. Bring one of my own firearms to the range with me.

When I asked why the rules, they told me because of suicides. I guess there have been too many depressed individuals who show up to a gun range, rent a pistol, and take their own life! I have rented pistols at a different range near me without these requirements, so I was a bit surprised at their rules. Do any of the ranges near you enforce rules like this to prevent suicides?
Click to expand...

My LGS range (small town of less than 20,000) had a negligent discharge which was never officially called a suicide, but the aftermath investigation revealed facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe that suicide was a reasonable possibility. The owner, a close friend of mine, did not change his rules, which were fairly liberal to begin with (no rifle calibers, be sober). Your experience seems like a solution in search of a problem . . .

Edit: He doesn't rent guns, but if you want to shoot something used that's in the case, have at it, if you buy the ammo. The above incident was with the victim's pistol, a 1911 style . . .
 
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It didn't help....

That didn't help the American Sniper guy. What can a person do? You set up like you are getting ready to shoot, put the gun to your head and pull the trigger. Is somebody standing behind you to grab the gun if you do anything dangerous? Anyway, all that aside I can kind of see their point. Maybe somebody is a LITTLE less likely to off themselves in front of a friend.
 
When I was in the SF Bay Area in 2014, the range near my hotel had the same rules for the same reasons. Liability, paperwork, and they would probably lose the gun while it occupies the evidence storage area at the local police department. Can't say I blame them for having these rules.
 
Really?! Someone's going to go to the trouble of visiting a gun range, and jump through the hoops that entails, just to commit suicide? There's an infinite number of easier and more convenient ways to do it. Sounds like an incredible what-if scenario contrived by an anti-gun insurance company to create a burden for the gun-business owner.

I agree with Muss Muggins...sounds like a solution in search of a problem.
 
Local indoor gunshop with a range had a guy just last
year commit suicide on their range.
I don't shoot at indoor ranges because of the guy that
might be standing next to me with a loaded gun.
Fortunately i have two friends with farms who have given me permission
to shoot there anytime i like.

BTW............... The M&P 40C is my everyday carry.
Also my first compact and i love it.



Chuck
 
Guy came into local range, bought target, rented handgun, 50 rounds of ammo, hearing protection. Nice group of 49 rounds in target, #50 passed through his head, but stopped in roof. Hand gun was not scratched.
 
I've not personally seen a rule like this, but they are common, and not a bad idea, IMO.
 
i1afli said:
Really?! Someone's going to go to the trouble of visiting a gun range, and jump through the hoops that entails, just to commit suicide? There's an infinite number of easier and more convenient ways to do it. Sounds like an incredible what-if scenario contrived by an anti-gun insurance company to create a burden for the gun-business owner.

I agree with Muss Muggins...sounds like a solution in search of a problem.
Click to expand...

The gun range I used to use when I lived in Orlando had 2 suicides. One was a murder-suicide,a man brought his mentally unstable mother to the range and it ended badly for both of them. They stopped renting guns to non-members as a result. It's a shame, but the owners of these stores have to protect their livelihoods.
Prior to that my son and I would go there and rent something different each time.
 
My preferred range has similar policies. They did have a suicide with a range-owned rental gun about two years ago. There were lawsuits from the idiot's family, loss of the gun to the legal system, hazmat cleanup requirements, just for a few black holes for our $$$$. As a result our range fees are higher just for higher insurance costs, not to mention the other bills.
 
The local ranges have similar rules. One of the local ranges has been the site of at least two rental suicides.
 
I am not aware of that policy at the range i go to here (doesnt rent guns), or at the one i went to in SC when i lived there (PSA's location which did rent). I normally go by myself, but always take my own handguns with me.
I'm assuming this sort of policy is liability based, but i wouldn't have a problem if that's what the owner wanted or needed to do. But to be honest, it may prevent something happening at the range, but doesnt mean it will prevent the act from happening later somewhere else.
 
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