Have you ever been turned away at a range

[Maximumbob54]

And then there was this guy who got drunk and ran over a few people before crashing and dying in the fire. So do we bring back Prohibition or make everyone use taxis or the bus???

I get that in any business you have to protect yourself, but this just sounds like a signed waiver sheet away from being held liable. I wish a forum lawyer would pop into this. Unless they are all thinking "not even with a ten foot pole" right now…

 

[H Richard]

If you're going to be in this city many times, why not go to the range, introduce yourself to the owner/manager, and explain your situation and request the next time you are in town you would like to shoot, but don't want to bring any guns with you because you would have to have them unsecured in a hotel room etc. I'm thinking a "reasonable" operator, if you speak "gun language" to him, would be open to your exception.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

EDIT: Just thought of this; how about they allow it if the single guy without a gun of his own has a valid permit/license on his person? If you've got a permit, you've probably got experience and are not as big a suicide threat? maybe?

I wouldn't be surprised if some ranges with renting restrictions have certain exemptions for permit holders, service men and women and others...

 

[Fishslayer]

The range I go to won't rent a gun to a solo shooter.

 

[WNC Seabee]

not by a person present at the range.
a nephew and me drove a good ways to a F&G range here in WNC on a Sunday late a.m. once there I wondered about nonone around but we shot some THEN I noticed a sign says 'NO SUNDAY USE'. we hauled bun outta there. can't see the harm in it myself but it's likely a $$ racket with a Warden w/in short distance or Natl Fst Ranger. so didn't press our luck.

HA! I did the same thing, very likely at the same range (Cold Mountain range off of 215?) not to long ago.

 

[Flat]

I was curious about this rule before I started shooting and thought it was silly until they told me why. You can't always tell who is suicidal by looking at them, people will tell you they can but that is nonsense.

Sucks for the guy wanting to try out guns before a purchase but from a business standpoint, I would do the same thing. Insurance is a bitch not to mention the people who have to witness it.

 

[BuckeyeChuck]

I get that in any business you have to protect yourself, but this just sounds like a signed waiver sheet away from being held liable. I wish a forum lawyer would pop into this. Unless they are all thinking "not even with a ten foot pole" right now…

Depending upon the state in which a range exists, I can see how the 10' pole might even be too short for comfort. The latest issue of America's 1st Freedom is littered with bills that have been filed to restrict gun freedom, including the completely unworkable and utterly stupid microstamping.

Right now the current tactic by those who desire to eliminate guns is basic classification of objects: the firearms themselves, their accessories (including magazines), and ammunition. By increasing the number of classifications, they can progressively make illegal classifications, and if a particular classification doesn't work, they can alter or further subdivide them.

I think the focus on objects is natural because they perceive these to be more easily conquered than people or places. So far, gun owners and their organized efforts have been successful at staving off these efforts; indeed, they have managed to actually reclaim surrendered ground in areas such as "shall issue" laws for concealed carry. But the anti-gun guys are very persistent. Eventually they will begin to focus on the places we shoot, instead of what we shoot. I think range owners inherently recognize this and naturally, they want to protect themselves.

Who knows what form that focus will take? It could be new licensing fees and qualifications. It could be laws or (God forbid) unlegislated rules (for which the BATFE is notorious) that expose range owners to tort. Regardless, I don't begrudge a range owner his right to refuse business for any reason he sees fit. After all, he's selling time to people operating a machine whose primary function is lethality. As the saying goes, with a Russian accent: "Is gun! Is not safe!"

In Columbus, the open-to-the-public ranges are all north or northeast of the city. My range is 26 miles from my house. I see a wondeful business opportunity for any range located west, soutwest, or south of Columbus but I also understand why nobody is jumping to open one.

The next time I'm in to Aimhi I'll ask if they have a "solo shooters must bring their own guns" policy.

 

[Mark_T]

BuckeyeChuck
I spoke to the range guy at AIMHI today. I explained that I was a business traveler and just wanted to shoot a Smith 22a like the one I have at home and he said no problem.

Now that I thought about it, I don't have an issue with the manager at the other shop excluding me from his range based on my profile. I just wish that the other guy I spoke to had mentioned this policy before I drove out there.

To conclude my part of this story, I've been reassigned to a new project in a new city. I would have liked to seen AIMHI, oh well that is how it goes.

Thanks to all for the information and comments

Mark

 

[DeathGrip]

I guess now we all learned a good question to ask when out of town.
Thanks Mark_T,Good thread.

 

[Herknav]

Interesting and good to know for those of us who like to shoot alone.

 

[wbraswell]

I get it now. More than likely, it's an insurance company behind some of this. I understand that a range owner may want to protect his business from this type of tragedy, but I still don't like it. I can't shoot my reloads? Bye, and stick it. I trust my handloads more than I trust most, it not all, factory stuff. Not open on Sunday? Are you kidding? Who can shoot on a Tuesday that has a job? Makes me ill.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I get it now. More than likely, it's an insurance company behind some of this. I understand that a range owner may want to protect his business from this type of tragedy, but I still don't like it. I can't shoot my reloads? Bye, and stick it. I trust my handloads more than I trust most, it not all, factory stuff. Not open on Sunday? Are you kidding? Who can shoot on a Tuesday that has a job? Makes me ill.

Digital high five on that one. I get that there will always be someone that won't follow directions on reloading or is trying to make the latest .44 +P+ in a 629, but rules won't stop someone from sneaking reloads in. It's not like they pat you down. I asked a local range why the range fee keeps going up and they said the city keeps pinging them with more fees. They even have a lead clean up fee despite the fact they clean up the lead and turn around and sell it. But the city gets their cut or they don't renew a permit. Go figure. The plus and minus at the same time is that the range is making very good profits right now since attendance is seriously up. The minus is that it gets way crowded and I bet they start charging by the hour next. At least they are open year round minus major holidays.