Gun safety nightmares

[Callahan]

Here's one that happened to me recently that I have been meaning to share:

A few months ago, I noticed a new gun shop had sprung up about 10 miles from my house, so I stopped in to check it out one day when I was in their area.

I don't know who owns it but the counter clerks were a bunch of pleasant younger guys in their 20s who are enthusiastic about firearms.

I was looking at a pistol with a laser sight and the clerk decided to show me how quick it was to acquire a target. He grabbed it, spun to his left, and illuminated the chest of one of the other counter guys. He laughed, target guy looked kinda shocked, and I laughed, too.

I laughed more out of being startled. I had never seen anyone do such a thing.

I've not been back. I'm sure you guys have some good ones from range experiences. Usually folks who go to public ranges have a few.

[TMan]

I spent 2-1/2 hours last night on Range Officer refresher course. The club has made a lot of changes because of the large volume of new members. Safety has become the prime ephasis because of the location - we are within the city limits. A round leaving the range would like lead to a disaster.

["DoubleAction"]

In my neighborhood, the counter guy would be pushing up daisies right about now. ;D

[Callahan]

Jan 28, 2010 18:30:32 GMT -5 TMan said:

I spent 2-1/2 hours last night on Range Officer refresher course. The club has made a lot of changes because of the large volume of new members. Safety has become the prime ephasis because of the location - we are within the city limits. A round leaving the range would like lead to a disaster.

Our range once had a 200-yard area. That has been closed off and a huge berm placed behind the 100-yard section. They also placed PVC in such a way that rifles could only be raised a few degrees at the bench. Not sure they are still there since I have not shot a rifle there since September. I think this is all due to local development. I could shoot for free on private land if I were willing to drive about 70-80 minutes. I'm not, so far.

[Callahan]

Jan 28, 2010 18:34:11 GMT -5 "DoubleAction" said:

In my neighborhood, the counter guy would be pushing up daisies right about now. ;D

I was once changing targets when I heard the action on a revolver being worked behind me. I looked back at the benches and some bozo was handling a big S&W revolver, even though they state quite clearly not to handle firearms when people are downrange or anytime during a ceasefire.

I think a lot of folks are hesitant to complain to someone who is being unsafe. I have pointed out a few folks to the range officer. I figure that's his job, anyway.

["DoubleAction"]

Callahan; Some people has to know the hard way, at the expense of others.

[TMan]

Two weeks ago the yellow lights at the range were on. A new shooter came in and put his case down on the bench. Already this is a violation because we have a red line down the center of sidewalk and you are supposed to stay behind it when the yellow lights are on. He was reaching into his case to get some ammo and a magazine. Also in the case was his CHL, loaded handgun. It went bang. The guys downrange dove for cover.

Did he know better? Yes, he was one of the Range Officers. Needless to say - he is no longer a Range Officer and he is on probation.

We do allow CHL holders to bring a loaded gun onto the range, but it must remain concealed at all times. If someone want to shoot their CHL handgun, they must leave the range, unload it, and bring it back in a case.

So we are getting a lot tougher on people not following the rules. There is redundancy with the rules, but there is on an aircraft too, and I'm sure glad that there is.

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; I think that is because the people who gets the permits, are putting the caboose before the train. We have the problem down here at our range.

[5ontarget]

One of the nice things with the local indoor range is they have automatic target retrevial. just push a button and the target comes zooming back to you. Push the other button and send it down range, release when you reach the desired distance. This works well, until the shmuck next to you shoots the rope off your track. I do not like the fact that some people will load their guns at the table behind the firing line, turn 180 degress, then bring them to the line. (especially those that don't remember where the muzzle is pointed.)

[Callahan]

Jan 29, 2010 10:00:04 GMT -5 5ontarget said:

One of the nice things with the local indoor range is they have automatic target retrevial. just push a button and the target comes zooming back to you. Push the other button and send it down range, release when you reach the desired distance. This works well, until the shmuck next to you shoots the rope off your track. I do not like the fact that some people will load their guns at the table behind the firing line, turn 180 degress, then bring them to the line. (especially those that don't remember where the muzzle is pointed.)

Ouch! I have an indoor range that's new and real nice pretty close to my house, but I just can't stand the air in there when they are busy, which is often. The place I usually go is an outdoor range. I especially like to go there when there is a light drizzle -- I have the place all to myself!

["DoubleAction"]

"One of the nice things with the local indoor range is they have automatic target retrevial"

That is another reason I like to go to the indoor range, another is the weather.