303lithgow

I went to the range today and saw a few of the weekend shooters. They seem to be younger then the weekday guys and don't have a lot of experience. I was amazed at some of their safety practices or lack of them. Our range does not have a rangemaster but we do have rules that we much adhere to and have a light/buzzer.

Some weren't putting their weapons in the rack with the bolt open. Some were handling their weapons with people down range. The rifle shooters must check with the pistols shooter right next to us because they have to ceasefire when we do (we don't when they ceasefire) and the younger people were not checking with them.

I had to talk to several people about the safety rules.

Mayor Al

Remember, The Laws of Evolution... Survival of the fittest.. You can teach'em, but they don't have to learn !!

303lithgow

Most of them had brand new guns too. I like the weekdays at the range when chances are I will know the other people. Most are retired and have been shooting for at least 50 years.

shootist

And you didn't even invite me the young need schooling don't get mad teach them it's your job you didn't know you had, can't expect them to be like all the old retired gezzers that hang out every week day, take them under your wing and you'll be all the better for it.

303lithgow

I didn't get mad and I did point out the rules but I'm more concerned the club isn't teaching them better before giving them a membership.

SrBanjo

Even though I'm new to shooting I know the rules of the range and I abide by them. Nobody has had to correct me so far lol. Don't judge all of us new shooters.

303lithgow

Most new shooters do know the rules but it only takes one bad incident to close the range. I didn't lecture them and they did apologize. I even let them shoot the Mare's Leg as they had never seen one.

jaxrider14

You did the right thing. Pointing out the rules, explaining as necessary, but not yelling and lecturing. Best way for them to learn and to get their willing compliance.

303lithgow

I made it a point to not show them up in front of others and gave them respect. Last summer there was a fist fight at the range. I didn't see it but know one of the guys involved. It was for a similar reason and he got in someones face right off the bat.

shootist

So this range doubles as a boxing ring?

303lithgow

Mud wrestling. We had an open shoot Tuesday 10-noon where a bunch of us retired guys would come out and shoot and then have lunch and lie about how good we did. It had been going on for years, how long I don't really know but I went for close to 10 years. The incident broke up the open shoot as people took sides. The whole thing was kinda Jr.-highish.

James6591

Our club has a strike policy.
Strike one, strike two, strike three... you're out.....

303lithgow

Some here have been kicked out on the first strike but thats rare. Most people want to do the right thing but sometimes just can't remember.

Akboater

We also have an uncontrolled range; somebody walked downrange (without clearing the range); I had just emptied a mag in my 10/22 and stuffed in another when I saw him out of the corner of my eye...I just about lost it...and yelled "Cease fire, cease fire"....cleared my gun (and the range), walked over and asked him what he was thinking...here's his reply:

"I was watching you and knew you were out of ammo!"

I replied, "..and I just reloaded and was getting set to fire again! You were watching me but I wasn't watching you and that is why the range rules say the range must be cleared completely and no handling weapons before someone goes downrange" He seemed apologetic and (I think) understood my point. Hopefully, he'll never pull that stunt again.