Rules at the range

[Taurus627]

At my local shooting range everybody had to take a range rules class (to many chuckle heads) and from now on everybody who wants to shot will have to take the class (one time and free) one of the rules I thought was very funny was no holding the hand gun sideways like the movies or shooting two pistols at the same time. Pretty amazing that they actually need to have these rules in writing

I wonder if it really helped. Because after about 10 years working with the general public in a retail setting I discovered that there are 2 things most people can not do,
that's read or follow directions!!!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The club I belong to has 1k members, electronic gate that requires your membership card to enter and exit, six separate ranges and surveillance cameras. We have no on duty range officers other than at organized events. New membership is typically through sponsorship via club member of three years or more. Our rules are basic safety, which allows pretty much anything with a trigger including machine guns, though you have to first be checked out by an officer before you can bring machine guns to the club. We police ourselves and it works out wonderfully. Anyone who demonstrates that they are exempt from the rules due to their long standing with the club or superior knowledge and abilities, find themselves with a permanently deactivated gate card.

 

[mjr]

... the range officer stops me and tells me I need to leave after shooting two 10 round magazine telling my shoes don't comply to range rules.

What were you wearing? Those boots gangbangers were wearing two or three years ago? Some restaurants and bars in my area refused entry to people wearing those.

 

[LTC]

It's unbelievable to me the actions of some shooters who frequent our club. We have electronic gate and club house access only. We also installed video cameras both indoor and outdoors. We have posted range rules. New members are required to submit their application in person. A NJ firearms Id card or similar proof of being a non-felon is required. We have trained RSO's observe the new shooters first session. Muzzle discipline is enforced at times.

Even with all this some person or persons can't seem to keep all their shots in the confines of a 7' x 35' indoor steel backstop.

We find hundreds of holes in the wooden faced steel roof baffles. entire sections of 2x6's shot to splinters. We have been unsuccessful catching the offending person or persons in the past 2-3 years.

Our rules are common sense safety. First offense is a discussion with the RSO. Second offense and you go home for the day. Third offense and you are at risk of losing your membership.

There is always a percentage of the group who, without rules, would be a danger to all.

LTC

 

[Capt Steve]

I don't need no stinking rules!

Rules are a necessary evil but the problem I encounter all to often and not just on the range are the idiots that think rules do not apply to them... to everyone else, but not to them. From parking in Handicapped slots to drinking and driving they simply just can't be bothered. Now arm these chuckleheads and the fun really begins.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

WHOA THERE

I dont understand what the huge deal is. It used to be free but people leave all their trash behind, destroy tables and stands. Someone has to be paid to repair and clean it all. So now you need to pay $30 a year to use. This is what happens when people abuse stuff. Or you can go to a regular private range and pay $15 or whatever every time you go.

As for the 3 round rule.....in 5 years of going to state game lands i only once saw a park ranger. I load 5 in my bolt guns, 6 in my revolvers, 10 in my semi autos (too lazy to load all 15-17). For AR & AKs i load 4-5 mags with 5 rounds or 2-3 mags with 10 rounds. Now.....some state game lands arnt too far from civilization. So some noob loads a full mag and proceeds to blast away blindly while not controlling his muzzle flip. Or guy with a slide fire or guy with a real full auto. At least this way after 3 rounds the weapon stops. Go to an indoor range and count all the holes in the ceiling. No ceilings at the state game lands to stop that bullet. Its gonna land somewhere

And finally ITS NOT PA law!!!! Its the game commission rule.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Arik- you seem to have taken offense -- none meant-- I have no problem with the permit thing, but the 3 shot rule, or 6 shot rule as I read here above, I DO have a problem with. I am 69 years old and have MORE than my share of range time. Wont even go into the training etc. I don't care much about the rifle rule of three shots, unless it includes .22LR, which I have no reason to believe it doesn't. My 250 SIG holds 13 shots, so what? Yes, I know we ALL have to pay for the ignorance of others. So find someplace else to shoot-- in this case we have. My Son is a former Army officer, and I really doubt any of those writing such rules could show Him anything. As far as not seeing a ranger, just because you do see one doesn't mean they are not around. I have see more than one game warden sit and watch with glass. There was one guy who got busted up there for the 'over the shot rule' and he presented a fake permit-- they stuck it to him but good-- JMHO

 

[rwsmith]

Many people could....

The range I frequent has a rule(among several)against shooting from a draw. I don't mean just fast cowboy style draw, but any kind including defensive draw. I guess I kind of understand this as a liability concern, but I really don't think that practicing at home is as effective as being able to follow through completely to the shot. Is this a common rule?

Many people probably could practice this safely, the hard part being to follow the rule that says the gun should be pointed safely downrange and not 'covering' or 'sweeping' anyone else with your muzzle. I'd think the safest way to do this would be to draw by picking up from the table, but fumble fingers might spell a bad day for somebody. It's surely best that the rule is there as safety is foremost.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I belong to a private club with annual dues of $140. That's peanuts compared to the local state-owned range of $8/half hour, but it does discourage some who live with no cash.

We recently did major improvements(4 new pistol bays) to go with our 100 yd rifle range and 4 trap houses. All firing positions are covered and have concrete floors. In order to pay for all this, we are taking every member we can get and are up to nearly 700 members.

The range is fenced but so low a 71 yr. old could crawl over and a electric gate with key pad combination. We are getting some vandalism(what range doesn't). No one wants to talk about full-time RSOs or limited hours. We have security cameras but the pix are so bad you can't identify anyone.

I worry about the idiots.

 

[Grayfox]

No matter how stupid a rule is, bear in mind that in most cases it was something that someone did that caused this rule to be writtten in the first place.
We are victims of our own stupidity.

 

[GaryS]

No matter how stupid a rule is, bear in mind that in most cases it was something that someone did that caused this rule to be writtten in the first place.
We are victims of our own stupidity.

This is what I call the Second Rule of EMS.

"You don't want a rule named after you, because the bosses don't make rules when someone does something smart."

 

[houdini26]

if they did not have those rules some one will do that stuff and maybe get hurt