Shooting Range Etiquette...

[whoppo]

In the "plinking targets" thread there is some discussion of shooting ranges that are plagued by irresponsible shooters who leave the ranges in bad shape and sometimes actually vandalized. I was going to reply in that thread, however it would have really been off-topic, so here's a new thread

I was thinking that we, as a collection of (hopefully) responsible shooters, could collaborate on a Shooting Range Etiquette pamphlet that can be downloaded, printed and distributed at our local shooting ranges, gun shops, firearm-related events, etc., as a "gift" from the S&W forums.

Thoughts? Comments? Content contributions?

Cheers!
Ron

 

[brent701]

sounds cool. but the bad apples are still going to be the bad apples. Doesn't matter what rules or etiqutte there is if they want they still are going to show no respect for the range

just my thought

 

[mg357]

i think its a good idea

 

[xopher88x]

Sounds like a good idea. As I see it, there isn't much content for me to provide. As long as you leave the area cleaner than how you found it there should be no issues. It's common sense to me. As the previous poster stated, sadly not everyone agrees. It's remarkable the number of people who read rules, understand them, and choose to not follow them. I just try to lead by example.

This sort of thing applies everywhere, not just our shooting ranges. State parks, town greens, our own backyards. We simply need to clean up after ourselves and look out for each other.

 

[enfield]

We put in a new pistol range at my private gun club -- within a month there were bullet holes in the benches and roof of the shelter.

No public access, and paying members act like that!

Sure would be nice to have a hidden video camera at all of the ranges to identify the members without character and get rid of them.

 

[Fkimble]

I'm not sure if that is vandalism or just some folks that can't control their forearms. Maybe they were doing quick draw or had an auto go full auto on them. We recently had a quickdraw guy shoot himself in the lower leg. Seems gun went off before clearing the holster. It was a stout closed end holster which slowed the 45colt bullet a little. This range recently added a new quickdraw range with dirt sides to contain wild shots. No drawing from holster on the other ranges.

 

[Starr]

I go to a public range and anyone can attend anytime of day as long as it daylight. 90% of the people who go there take care of the place and clean it up (leave it cleaner than you found it). But there are a few who come and destroys the place, lighting fires and shooting anything in sight and leaving all kinds of trash. It's a real shame that some people just don't know how to act and respect the freedom that we have in this country.

 

[one eye joe]

Gotta roll with Enfield on this one. I've belonged to several gun clubs, and it seems that there is always a small percentage who indulge in vandalism to the very club that they pay dues to belong to. I doubt that a pamphlet would cure this problem. Every range/club that I have ever shot at has had ''Range Rules'' prominently posted. Doesn't seem to help. Cameras appear to be the answer, IMHO.......

 

[drusier]

Quick question: Should I be picking up my spent casings? I always clean off the concrete or shooting rest. Just wondering what you guys do with that 22 brass

 

[HalfSwiss]

Seems there are always those that must raise their handgun up and then come down to the target. Then there are those that lower it and bring it up to the target. The ones that put bullets in the ceiling and benches are the ones that violate the rule of not putting your finger in the trigger guard until you are on target. They are not intentional, but they are not accidents. They are negligent discharges. My 2 cents worth.

The manual that comes with every new gun has the list of shooting rules. There are range rules. The fish and game annual booklets seem to also have the shooting rules. While I think the intent of a pamphlet is good, I doubt that the problem people would read it, or even care about it, or are incapable of comprehending it.

 

[11B Lifer]

No simple solution

A pamphlet might help.
I certainly don't haved any solution-other than I trained my kids and my wife keeps track of me.
The CCW instructors in this area have some major problems-you'd think they should set the example-
Standing in front of a firing line, and telling students to load!
Instructor handing a model 29 to a student and telling him to "point it at me (the instructor) and on and on.
So, as to shooting at the proper back stops, cleaning up etc. hell, they can't even be safe!.....

 

[motonut]

Sounds like a good idea. As I see it, there isn't much content for me to provide. As long as you leave the area cleaner than how you found it there should be no issues. It's common sense to me. As the previous poster stated, sadly not everyone agrees. It's remarkable the number of people who read rules, understand them, and choose to not follow them. I just try to lead by example.

This sort of thing applies everywhere, not just our shooting ranges. State parks, town greens, our own backyards. We simply need to clean up after ourselves and look out for each other.

Good for you!

Around here we have recycle containers for AL cans and plastic bottles. Signs plain as day right next to the openings say "No Plastic Bags". There are even trash cans right next to these bins for the plastic bags. Guess what, there are always plastic bags in the containers. Some people are just lazy and inconsiderate and don't believe the rules apply to them.

Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

[MnCowboy96]

Can ranges charge a deposit for membership so if they do catch someone destroying the range that they can at least recover the cost?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

CRC

 

[ladder13]

Can ranges charge a deposit for membership so if they do catch someone destroying the range that they can at least recover the cost?

We just expel them from the club, and WILL notify local authorities of acts of vandalism.
We have clear rules posted just about everywhere, and also hand out Club etiquette when one joins the range.
However, rules are broken, you can't fix stupid.

 

[one eye joe]

Ladder13, we follow that exact protocol at my club with similar results.

 

[chuck s]

The main range I shoot at told us there's no reason to pickup our brass unless we're taking it home with us. They salvage the brass themselves, so don't think you 're doing anyone a favor by picking it up.

-- Chuck

 

[john3136]

We had some brass buckets on the range.
People were encouraged to pick up their 22 brass an put it in the bucket (along with any split etc centerfire brass)
When we had a bucket full it went to a scrap metal dealer and the club got a few bucks out of it.

 

[ladder13]

I pick up all my brass, it's mine, not the range's. I've seen people taking brass out of the range buckets, I'll be darned if they're gonna get mine.

 

[Scuds03]

Its so cheap to setup cameras now-a-days I'd just do that. If somthing happens review the video, find out who did it, and ban their ass. Have a camera in the parking area too in case you don't know their name you can see what car they get into. Make it very clear with signs that all actions on the line will be video recorded and people won't act up as much. You can post written rules all day long but unless you can enforce them, there will be those people who don't give a crap. If you can hold them accountable and/or kick em out on the other hand, then things would change.