Self Policing at Gun Range

[wildcat3d]

Sounds like a increase in yearly dues would help the situation.

Just because you can spend more doesn't mean your a responsible person...

 

[DShortt]

Just because you can spend more doesn't mean your a responsible person...

Very true. Mom and Dad might be the source of the dues. Jr will have -0- skin in the game.

Just kick out the ones tearing the place up. All you can reasonably do. Make it known in the rules and regulations that if it's a family membership and one of the family does this, you're all gone.

 

[jackieschmidt]

At Tomball, we are a Private Club set at 300 members. We are self policing.

The number one policy is we are a total alcohol free facility. Period. Not even in your car.

We have an electronic gate. Any time a member arrives and leaves, it is recorded. If some illegal activity goes on, we know who was at the range at that time.
You have to have your ID badge around your neck at all times.

If a shooter does break one of the club rules, it is up to other members to advise that shooter of the rules. If he gets defensive, or in any way is rude to the shooter correcting him, he is subject to expulsion.

If the shooter feels he was being falsely corrected, he can go before our BOD and explain.

Common sense goes a long way in Gun Range behavior. And it is certainly not a venue to be stupid.

 

[DGP4]

It's amazing how just the knowledge that a camera is present will quell the wild side of most people. I would definitely install cameras and monitor the film anytime malicious damage is done.

 

[archerforkids]

I'm thinking we need to put a cap on membership. Cameras are definitely needed. I like the idea of ID cards on display when on the premises. I'm anticipating a push back due to good ole boy attitudes.
With 44 responses so far, you guys have really given me some reasonable ideas. We will see i guess. Thanks a million

 

[DShortt]

At Tomball, we are a Private Club set at 300 members. We are self policing.

The number one policy is we are a total alcohol free facility. Period. Not even in your car.

We have an electronic gate. Any time a member arrives and leaves, it is recorded. If some illegal activity goes on, we know who was at the range at that time.

If a shooter does break one of the club rules, it is up to other members to advise that shooter of the rules. If he gets defensive, or in any way is rude to the shooter correcting him, he is subject to expulsion.

If the shooter feels he was being falsely corrected, he can go before our BOD and explain.

Common sense goes a long way in Gun Range behavior. And it is certainly not a venue to be stupid.

What's really sad is that you have to even mention alcohol at a shooting range.

Go ahead and get caught under the influence in possession of a firearm by law enforcement and see what happens next.

 

[archerforkids]

Our club uses 6x6 timbers laid on the ground with a dado track cut into them for the target stands. The stands are just 1x2 frames with cardboard faces. Each shooter must place a stand out before shooting and return it when done. The frames do get shot occasionally but they are cheap and easy to replace.

On the 200yd line, we have a giant snail steel trap that uses a 4'x4' piece of ply slid into the front. The thing is just about impossible to damage.

At the 400yd line I built a 4'x7' target backer with 2"x4" legs that fit into a steel base. Occasionally, someone will shoot a 2"x4" leg and it will need to be repaired. I just sister up a scrap piece of 2"x4" and it's good for a while. The entire target frame will get replaced every other year because the board is full of holes and weather takes its toll on it too.

We really don't have problems around the benches except for brass that is not picked up, especially 22 RF. As much as I don't like being monitored 24/7 by surveillance cameras, it would solve problems when the bad seeds get caught.

I thought about your method with the timbers and 1 by frames with a slight twist. I have been thinking crossties with holes drilled to hold #3 or #4 rebar. Some type of cross members top and bottom w a rubber face. We have several feet of rubber conveyor already. Just a matter of hustling up some crossties or timbers.

 

[Emmett Dibble]

Haven't read through all 3 pages but...

I belong to 4 clubs as you describe.

VERY noticeable cameras will nip alot of stupidity in the bud.

RSO on duty is about the only other fix but isn't always practical.

 

[jxb]

Yeah I think that's an issue at many ranges. IMO cameras and identifying anyone that's grossly negligent makes sense and give one warning. That said it would likely only make sense for 100yrds and less. Many of those that I have used or belonged to over the years they would charge such that they could swap out supports as needed and they all were not bashful about telling users about it, especially when the rate went up. Like one public range I use sometimes, even at the 50yrd the spray and pray crowd is doing well to hit a full size IPSC, even worse at 100. They hang the long backers and make shooters use it well below the support holding the backer, but still have to replace it several times a year. All shot up and it's about 10" above the top of the IPSC.

 

[DShortt]

Yeah I think that's an issue at many ranges. IMO cameras and identifying anyone that's grossly negligent makes sense and give one warning. That said it would likely only make sense for 100yrds and less. Many of those that I have used or belonged to over the years they would charge such that they could swap out supports as needed and they all were not bashful about telling users about it, especially when the rate went up. Like one public range I use sometimes, even at the 50yrd the spray and pray crowd is doing well to hit a full size IPSC, even worse at 100. They hang the long backers and make shooters use it well below the support holding the backer, but still have to replace it several times a year. All shot up and it's about 10" above the top of the IPSC.

This probably wouldn't be popular, but perhaps set aside a section of the range for centerfire semi-autos and those using it pay a damage fee because that's so prevalent.
Pay to play.

Make it small and highly contained and make it expensive. If you can afford the ammo cost to do mag dumps then you can afford to pay for a range to contain your fire and for all the mess and destruction you're going to create.

 

[Uncle Bruce]

Sounds like a increase in yearly dues would help the situation.

No there are rich idiots to.

 

[jxb]

This probably wouldn't be popular, but perhaps set aside a section of the range for centerfire semi-autos and those using it pay a damage fee because that's so prevalent.
Pay to play.

That's exactly what I'd do, but most ranges simply don't have the space to do that.

 

[DShortt]

That's exactly what I'd do, but most ranges simply don't have the space to do that.

Unfortunately, if destruction is a problem, semi-autos might have to be restricted to certain days when oversight is present. Shoot up the target backers? You pay to replace them. Deposit required before shooting. Behaving carelessly? You're gone permanently.

Again, a very small percentage of people cause 90% of the problems.

I personally see no benefit to having people behaving it this fashion but that's my opinion.
I'd bet if your club puts rules like this in place and watches the cameras and bans members violating those rules, that range will go unused.

Funny how accountability works.

 

[Herzo]

Our club has a card reader that opens a gate to access the property. That pretty well controls access to the grounds and tells us who is on the property at what time. We also have installed 4 x 8 sheets of Coroplast on 2x4's supported by 4 x 4 posts on which to staple targets. We have idiots who staple their targets to the 4 x 4's. Cameras will probably be the next step. The word is getting around that the board has a take no prisoners attitude as to the rules. We just tossed a member out aft er his 2nd warning.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

No there are rich idiots to.

You guys know I don’t mean to price anyone out. I just meant if you went up to a reasonable amount, it might help with putting more equipment in such as cameras.
I would certainly put in the rules no range use before or after certain times of the day.

 

[jxb]

Unfortunately, if destruction is a problem, semi-autos might have to be restricted to certain days when oversight is present. Shoot up the target backers? You pay to replace them. Deposit required before shooting. Behaving carelessly? You're gone permanently.

Again, a very small percentage of people cause 90% of the problems.

I personally see no benefit to having people behaving it this fashion but that's my opinion.
I'd bet if your club puts rules like this in place and watches the cameras and bans members violating those rules, that range will go unused.

Funny how accountability works.

Yeah I'd rather see them at the range shooting up the supports than out on our public lands shooting up everything in sight and that's exactly what they would be doing.

 

[K22]

I belong to two clubs, both of which have security cameras. These are primarily to enforce safety requirements although any blatant destruction of property is also monitored and punished.

The sad reality when it comes to target frames, at least at my clubs is that either through poor marksmanship or intentionally, our target frames are under constant attack. Even at the defensive pistol range where shots are 7 to 20 yards and the frame is 30 x 30", most the frames and holders are in very poor condition.

Also, most of the shooting at both ranges is rapid fire with semi-autos. I would say that 30% or less of the shooting is precision shooting. The rapid-fire sequences with semi's often result in target frames being hit, many times.

 

[DShortt]

Yeah I'd rather see them at the range shooting up the supports than out on our public lands shooting up everything in sight and that's exactly what they would be doing.

The range I just joined has already had to fight a claim that someone fired a bullet from that range that struck their house. The range was able to demonstrate that it was impossible that it was fired from the range.
I do not want to see the range closed because a very few number of people insist on acting like idiots.
The range closes, they'll still do exactly what you suggested. Meanwhile, a bunch of responsible people will have to figure out what to do next thanks to a couple of idiots.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Got member meetings?
Copy this thread to all members.

One range I used to frequent had keyed locks. Each member got a key.
Keys, cards, and combinations can be shared and strangers can get in.
You needed to pass a qual to shoot 600 or 1000.
Cameras help when you have someone you don't know drive thru the gates.

The wife and I are retired and shoot F-Class (mostly) and seldom go to any range on the weekend, except for matches.

 

[DShortt]

That's a good idea. I think I'll do just that.

Lot's to consider in here.