MicheleM
Active Member
I'm adding my thanks for this post, too. There were lots of things that I didn't know about concerning range etiquette and safety.
The mall ninja...
The mall ninja...
Speaking of "veteran shooters..."
I had occasion to be around a great friend of mine who's been around firearms practically all of his life. At some point during the day he, very accidentally, pointed a loaded firearm directly at me. Of course I flipped out, both in fear and anger, and then was told that because the safety was on and his finger was off of the trigger that there was "no way" the gun would fire.
2. Most ranges in Maryland do not permit full auto.
4. Some ranges prohibit rapid fire or have a "one shot per second" or similar rule in place
6. Some ranges do not permit targets with images representing a person.
8. Some ranges have a "3 rounds max in a magazine at a time" or similar rule.
these are ridiculous and I would boycott any range that enforced these rules.
Clearly a trolling comment, but i'll bite.
Each range sets their SOP according to many factors, most frequently relating to the safety of range patrons and neighbors, as well as protection of the range itself. Items 2 & 4 above are related to all of these things, and actually not the least bit ridiculous. I can't speak to items 6 & 8, but I would respect the regs as each range organization certainly has the prerogative to do what's best for them.
I also don't think any range is going to go out of business, or even feel the absence of someone who thinks their regs are ridiculous, and would undoubtedly prefer that person not visit their range to start with.
I totally agree that every range can set its own rules as it sees fit. But my business is selective, If you won't allow "rapid fire" for fear of loosing a cable or clips or etc, then i will find a range that does. {I prefer outdoor ranges anyway} ......without a range Nazi telling me I have to wait a second between shots, which is ridiculous, like a speed limit on a racetrack.
#4 is not a requirement for safety or procection of facilities. Requirements to maintain control of firearm , or for all rounds to impact the backstop in a certain manner would be effective and logical.
I get that they want to avoid uncontrolled mag dumps. And for my own preferences and wallet there is little point to burning rounds just to hear the noise. But arbitrary speed limits prevent practicing for various Qualification , working on skills for IDPA/ IPSC/ PPC/ SASS/ etc , as well as practicing actual defensive skills.
* If the rounds are hitting the target , it's not reckless or dangerous *
should be boycotted
I said I would boycott, not that everyone should. If that type of range works for you, then great. But I won't go there, just my opinion. If you spend thousands of dollars on semi autos, then have someone tell you your rate of fire, it seems ridiculous. I respect safety, if what you are doing is safe, then it should be allowed. If one range won't allow it, then I will go to the range that does.