tshark

Yesterday, I took my son shooting for the first time. We were the only ones at the range at first, the weather was perfect, and my son was about to embark and his shooting journey. We walked up to hang our targets and: BANG, BANG, BANG!!! Some idiot arrived, didn't put up a target, and started shooting at an old one. He was back at the shooting tables at the far end, shooting while we were hanging targets. (The tables are about 15 feet from the parking area, that is why he was able to arrive and start shooting so quickly.) Talk about a crappy first outing for my son.

Needless to say I was beyond mad. I went up to him and starting yelling at him. His response was just as bad as his reckless act, "I know what I am doing. There is no way I could have hit you. You were off to the side." Of course I colorfully told him that me and my son were forward of his muzzle and he was being careless. It resolved when he through up his arms in disgust and left. What a day. I wanted to share this to remind everyone to keep their head up and be alert. Take care, Frank.

EDIT: Got off the phone with the game commission. (They are responsible for the range.) They took my report and will send officers to the range to check more frequently.

Rivers2k

Just takes one idiot. Glad you an your son are ok. You can look at it this way your son got a valuable lesson.

Marine Division Two

Screw Him,Get his plate # and Leave and report his ( Reckless Endangerment ) To Any P D local to this range,Charges of Menacing also come to mind ! Dont forget to tell The PGC also and give plate # so as to be on a watch list.

Marine Division Two

Would also like to know what range this was as for other members to be on the caustious side if they see him !

bwinters

When a range does not have a range officer it is the people present that need to control each other. Was it a private range or public. If private he should be reported tot eh range board or whatever it is called if public a call to the police is in order.

North country gal

A knucklehead stunt like that at our range would get reported to our range president and that guy would have gotten the boot. Our range is very strict about such things. Sorry you had to experience that.

tshark

Sure, it was the Archbald public range. In hindsight, I should have gotten is information but when he left, I shifted my attention to my son to see if he was shaken up or anything. Luckily he wasn't sure of what was really happening. I used it as an opportunity to give him a safety lesson. I am going to look into joining a private range.

tshark

Forgot to mention, I almost forgot about the PGC. I am going to give them a call and give them a heads up. At the very least they can stop by and check it from time to time. After the fact, I have heard of similar incidents there. At the very least, they can stop by and check for the range permits.

Jtiv19

At my range there are always range officers present during normal hours. If you are a keyholder with after hour access you are required to let others know you are there.

This guy should be kicked out the range for sure.

Glad you are both okay.

RockDoctor

Yes. it's important to try and make sure that dude doesn't injure or kill someone.

tshark

Thanks. I just want to let everyone know this is a public range. Normally when more than one person shows up, someone will take on the role of being a range officer for safety. We were the only ones there when this yahoo showed up...we didn't even see him until he started shooting. (we were down range hanging up a target)

tglazie

Wow. And I thought the people who fail to raise the Hot Range flag at my range were bad.

That is some seriously knuckleheaded, dangerous behavior

PiratePast40

At our range, someone will be reading you the riot act if you case or uncase your gun during a ceasefire.

jaxrider14

Several people were firing at the range I use when two men arrived, started putting their gear at a shooting station and then proceeded to walk out to hang targets while everyone was still shooting. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted them and yelled "Cease Fire" at the top of my lungs. (There is no range officer at this place)

Evidently they thought no stray bullets would veer from targets and hit them. I say "evidently" because neither of them spoke a word of English, and I do not speak spanish.

Several of us left immediately. If they are that dumb, I didn't want to be around when they started shooting.

tglazie

That's the wise move. I go my local (private) range daily so I generally can tell if those around me are regulars or occasional shooters. If an occasional shooter happens to be there and is being less careful than I would like I just bag it and come back later. If anything truly unsafe occurs we police ourselves and then get the RO involved (usually not present)