I enjoy shooting and approach it with caution and pride. I want to shoot without undue interference, but I also don't want to get shot. I am an RSO and appreciate the balance between promoting a friendly environment for the members, but also that Safety is paramount. The unfortunate actions by a member can result in major issues for the club as a whole. Yeah... so I guess Safety is an important topic that often gets swept to the side when it is inconvenient, and is just as likely to be taken for granted by an experienced shooter as an inexperienced shooters.
Our club requires that any member interested in volunteering as an RSO must take the NRA's RSO Certification through a certified NRA instructor, which the club hosts 1 or 2 classes a year. The Club pays the RSO's initial registration fee, and if RSO serves four shifts (20 hours total) during the year then RSO receive a $100 reduction on next year's annual membership fee. RSO is required to keep their RSO Certification current with NRA ($35/year).
Unfortunately, both our BOD Members and our competitive shooters can't be bothered to participate and serve as an RSO. These are exactly the key participant who should serve as RSO's to help mentor new members, keep in touch with general membership, and promote/reinforce a Safety Culture for the club. The vast majority of our RSO's are retirees who signed up to get the annual membership discount, open access to range when closed to general membership, and also just need something to do with their free time. I have heard RSO's express discomfort/unwillingness to engage a shooter if it may result in any form of inter-personal conflict. They mean well, but this is the wrong mindset for effectively performing this role, especially with the number of new and inexperienced shooters that are joining our club in recent years.
A few of us have tried to also get the club to recognize RSO Certification from other recognized shooting organizations, such as IDPA or USPSA. I have been certified by both NRA and IDPA, and based on my experience I can tell you that the RSO Certification from a Dynamic Shooting Sport is much more meaningful and relevant than NRA paper. RSO for IDPA/USPSA/3Gun provide better hands on training and preparation for dealing directly with safety issues, including anticipating issues (what could go wrong), dealing with loaded firearms, and bad attitudes (de-escalating). It requires RSO to engage directly with shooters, and teaches a more intense, focus on safety as RSO is constantly engaging with participants who are using loaded weapons. RSO learns not to take anything for granted and active Safety Mindset to treat all guns as always loaded, expect shooters to turn around and point loaded guns in wrong direction, clearing weapon malfunctions on different firearm platforms, etc.
The other training consideration that a shooting club should consider providing to its RSO's is a gunshot trauma course. RSO is person most likely to be point person in case of an emergency. There is a reason I have a field medical kit that includes as least 2 tourniquets... 1st one is reserved for me.
LOL - I am chuckling at the "short response" that I had intended to type.... turned into a Safety Manifesto!!! Try asking me about something that I am passionate about! LMAO
