What to you do to prevent THEFT at the Gun Range ?

[CaseHardened]

We've all heard some major horror stories of people having their firearms stolen at Ranges.

Having a buddy along with you to keep an eye on each other is ideal, but all too often when I'm ready to shoot, no one else is.

So far I only frequent Indoor Ranges with Booths and Motorized Targets. My weapon never leaves my side. But that will not always be the case.

And in Massachusetts, any firearm not under your immediate control is required to be either locked in a case, or have a trigger lock enabled. So technically leaving a unlocked firearm on the table while you stroll downrange is illegal.

So what is your system ?

 

[Magnus]

At the outdoor range I keep everything packed while I’m setting up targets. I put an ammo can on my bench while I go down range. Usually I have my brother with me and he watches out while I set up.

 

[togmaster]

Never heard of this problem at any ranges I've been to.

 

[thegatman]

Know your range and range officer.

 

[CaseHardened]

At the outdoor range I keep everything packed while I’m setting up targets. I put an ammo can on my bench while I go down range. Usually I have my brother with me and he watches out while I set up.

In congested Eastern Mass there are damn few Outdoor Ranges - so I will confess I've not visited one - ever.

I expect that the Range Officer calls out a cease-fire periodically so that shooters can place and/or inspect targets.

What do they require of the Firearms during those times ?

 

[Bananabandit]

Bring a buddy..or lockup down range

 

[CaseHardened]

In Mass, having your firearm stolen is a real good way to lose your License. So it's not just the considerable monetary loss.

And Mass does have a de facto FIREARM REGISTRY.

You are required to report any purchases, sales, thefts, or losses of any sort.

 

[CaseHardened]

Bring a buddy..or lockup down range

You mean a Locked Box cabled or chained to the Bench ?

 

[Bananabandit]

You mean a Locked Box cabled or chained to the Bench ?

Or throw it in whatever i bring it in. Out of sight

 

[Darth]

Avoid ranges.

But seriously, really avoid ranges where that would be a concern.

 

[Phazer]

I go to an indoor range where I have no qualms about leaving my pistol on the bench at my lane if I have to leave the line for a few minutes. The RSOs are very observant.

 

[Magnus]

In congested Eastern Mass there are damn few Outdoor Ranges - so I will confess I've not visited one - ever.

I expect that the Range Officer calls out a cease-fire periodically so that shooters can place and/or inspect targets.

What do they require of the Firearms during those times ?

Range Officer? You’re your own range officer, you yell out cease fire and run down range. Everyone is pretty good though, they put firearms down and step back. Most walk to inspect their own targets too. I’ve never had a bad experience among other gun owners.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I only shoot at private ranges. One range has a video system. The other two range situations, holster. Most of the time at the one outside range it's just me.

 

[krishmartin]

I keep all of them in a safe and secure place. Don't want to steal my guns anyways.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

I shoot at a private club with an outdoor range. Typically, I'm the only one there. If I had any concerns at all, I could also lock up anything I chose to, as I park my vehicle 15' away, to the side of the shooting area.

I don't really like public ranges. One public range on the border of Erie & Niagara counties has a bad reputation, - too many "sketchy" inner city Amish types with unsafe firearm handling, - and the range tends to be poorly supervised IMHO. Wolcott guns on Walden Ave seems to me to be much better run and safer all around.

 

[MoMan]

I've been fortunate to always either shoot at a private club I belong to or shoot on my own property. At my club down here, stealing a firearm isn't even a concern. I usually have too many guns out with me when I'm at the range to put them all away when we go down range. My club down here has multiple handgun stations, so it is rarely someone else is shooting at the station you're at, unless it is someone you know. We are not open to the public, so members and guests only. Sign in/out, so in the unlikely event something disappears it would be easy to figure out who has it.
I've gone to the range and have seen notices that a handgun was found at the range, with a phone number to call to identify it. I've been to the range when 1 of our guys left an ammo can full of ammo there when we left. We took a ride back the next day, and it was still sitting there, right where he left it. Hell, 1 time I found an ammo can full of ammo, and turned it in to the club, so whoever comes back looking for it could claim it.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Bring a buddy..or lockup down range

Actually the buddy system is probably the most reliable. 80% of the time my son or wife are my shooting buddy, one changes targets while the other stays with the gear, watches that everyone else stays away from their guns and ammo, keeps the line safe.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Bring a gun. Use that to protect yourself!

 

[Phazer]

Range Officer? You’re your own range officer, you yell out cease fire and run down range. Everyone is pretty good though, they put firearms down and step back. Most walk to inspect their own targets too. I’ve never had a bad experience among other gun owners.

Dude? I understand range safety.

The range I use has motor driven target lines. Nobody goes down range except the RSO to, very rarely, fix something after a cease fire (with cleared firearms and everyone behind the safe line).

I was simply stating that if I need a bathroom break, I don't feel a need to re-case my pistol in order to leave the line for 2 minutes.

 

[Podmonkey]

When I used to shoot at the swamps I'd shoot onky one gun at a time and brikng it with me downrange. At my current range I'm not worried about it. Place is usually deserted when I go anyway.

 

[soylentBlue]

At the range I use, the gate opens with a keycard, so they have a record of everyone that comes in. If something goes missing, at least there is a list of who was there at the time.

 

[Defilade]

Just shoot a Glock, people don't care to steal them.

 

[Tinman]

I shoot at a private club with an outdoor range. Typically, I'm the only one there. If I had any concerns at all, I could also lock up anything I chose to, as I park my vehicle 15' away, to the side of the shooting area.

I don't really like public ranges. One public range on the border of Erie & Niagara counties has a bad reputation, - too many "sketchy" inner city Amish types with unsafe firearm handling, - and the range tends to be poorly supervised IMHO. Wolcott guns on Walden Ave seems to me to be much better run and safer all around.

I shoot at a private club with an outdoor range. Typically, I'm the only one there. If I had any concerns at all, I could also lock up anything I chose to, as I park my vehicle 15' away, to the side of the shooting area.

I don't really like public ranges. One public range on the border of Erie & Niagara counties has a bad reputation, - too many "sketchy" inner city Amish types with unsafe firearm handling, - and the range tends to be poorly supervised IMHO. Wolcott guns on Walden Ave seems to me to be much better run and safer all around.

Which range are you speaking of that has a bad reputation?

 

[masterswimmer]

Member key card with RF scanner with a gate to enter our club. 24/7/365 CCTV of gate, indoor range, and outdoor ranges. If you're in our club you always smile for the cameras.

 

[Fezzik]

In congested Eastern Mass there are damn few Outdoor Ranges - so I will confess I've not visited one - ever.

I expect that the Range Officer calls out a cease-fire periodically so that shooters can place and/or inspect targets.

What do they require of the Firearms during those times ?

At my club, in the event that a cease-fire is called for the purpose of going down range, everything stays on the bench. Actions are open, magazines out, and bore flags are inserted. RSO inspects the line and declares it safe before anyone crosses the red line.

 

[Magnus]

Dude? I understand range safety.

What? Phazer you been hitting the drink again? It’s not even 12 for gods sake.

The RSO part was for Case, he asked if the range had any.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

Which range are you speaking of that has a bad reputation?

I have heard horror stories from various friends and other gun owners who have shot there. I went there once and was not satisfied either. Not going to publicly ID it. I'm pretty sure being in Niagara County you can guess.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

I live in a rural area. Member of local gun club, outdoor range. Had a shotgun stolen off the rack after a club sanctioned shoot. Yep, called cops, they showed up took info. Filed claim with NRA, they paid. Gun club paid $100 deductible. After that I NEVER left any gun unattended, and after shooting cased and locked up in vehicle immediately.

 

[Phazer]

What? Phazer you been hitting the drink again? It’s not even 12 for gods sake.

The RSO part was for Case, he asked if the range had any.

Oops...you caught me.

I, for some reason, thought that you responded to my message.

Sorry. Need...more...caffeine.......

 

[Depick]

The buddy system is probably your best bet if that isn’t possible stick with one firearm that you can either holster or keep on a sling.