Range Etiquette Question

[Oscar77]

Politics are boring right now............. ;(

A What-would-you-do question...........

I was at CRC shooting today, on one range that has about 25? benches.........and I was one of about 5 shooters.
We were spread out as they have different target frames at different distances...
I was at the one end and others spread out along the range
A gentleman arrives and sets up at the opposite end to me, begins walking and talking to the other Shooters.
When he gets to me, he asks and then points out that since I was the first person there, it makes me the Range Safety Officer.
He was very adamant and wanted it established that I was the RSO.
He was correct and so I agreed............. he then asks for a cease fire (to set up his targets)........to which I agree and clear my firearm.
He then walks past everyone, yelling that there was a Cease Fire and we could go forward.
People start doing that........... but then as I'm watching him.... he grabs his rifle that was on the bench, raises the muzzle, opens the action and places it in the rack behind him.

Should I have:
1. Gone full-on-retard and screamed at him about handling a firearm during a cease fire?
2. Approached him and politely explain that as the "anointed" RSO, I needed to explain to him that he was violating the range rules and correct him?
3. Let it go as we have bigger problems right now?
4. or?

[rfenster]

Either option one or two would have been appropriate, IMHO.

Sounds like you went with option three, which is fine as well.

[Clint45]

He sounds like a dimwit.

This is why I dislike interacting with strangers at the range.

"He was very adamant and wanted it established that I..."

No.

[eddiememphis]

No one should have gone downrange until all rifles were cleared and removed from the firing line.

[Sawin]

I’ve encountered this at CRC too and aside from the insistence you were the RSO, it’s not out of the ordinary. Just call a cease fire and let everyone put their rifles on the rack with the action open if they don’t have an OBI/flag, then go down range.

[Sawin]

For what it’s worth, most of the time when a cease fire is called, that’s when everyone empties their guns and puts them on the rack… no reason to do so before the cease fire is called, that’s wasted range time ;)

[Wolfshoon]

You DO NOT have to accept being the acting RSO.

Sounds like you were on the schuetzen range.

This has been brought up before but apparently has not been updated in posted rules. Acting RSO during non match casual shooting is first shooter has the RSO position and appoints somebody else when leaving. You can turn this position down and pass it to the next shooter, it’s not like it is a paid position. Just state you are leaving the range (take a piss) and that satisfies the next in line part of the rules.

AS TO HIM TOUCHING A RIFLE WITH PPL PAST THE LINE——No way! Nobody touches a gun with ppl downrange, PERIOD! I am a match director out there and doing this or sweeping ppl with the muzzle while racking/unracking is a DQ for the event. Bottom line is it’s a safety violation!

Now, starting a confrontation over safety isn’t for everybody, especially if the violator becomes belligerent. My response to belligerent behavior is to take a pic of the vehicle license plate and the violator and tell them that this is a member range and they have to follow the rules like all other members. If that doesn’t resolve the situation it is then stated that your membership is in jeopardy and will be reported to the board, or if appropriate call the sheriff. I am not going to get in a fight with somebody who is armed. In the three confrontations I have encountered, two stopped at board reporting and the third left when it came out he wasn’t even a member and was told he was trespassing on private property.

https://crci.org/rules


2. Clear Firing Line: A firing line is clear when, and only when, all firearms' actions are open with bolts removed or an Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI) placed in the chamber or racked or cased and all shooters acknowledge that “The Line is Clear" by stepping back and remaining behind their firing point and equipment. Firearms of any kind may not be handled in any way while under “The Line is Clear” status and people are forward of the firing line.

3. Range Officer: During organized events a Range Officer (RO) will be designated by the Match Director (MD). One or more assistant range officers may be designated as needed. Such range officers and assistants may or may not wear an armband, hat, vest, or some other identifying symbol. The RO, ARO or MD should be wearing his CRC Membership Badge. It is the shooter’s duty to know who the Range Officer is at any time and obey his/her firing line commands to the letter. Firing line commands and procedures may vary with the customs and conditions of the sport in question at any time.
During casual practice, the first CRC member arriving at a firing line is the Acting Range Officer (ARO) so long as he/she is present. The ARO is responsible for the safe operation of the range at all times. He/she will call “Cease Fire” as needed for target changes, ascertain that “The Line is Clear” before permitting shooters to go forward, be certain that all shooters are behind the firing line before permitting firing to resume. The ARO will manage the general operation and decorum of that firing line. All other shooters must, on arrival, determine who is the Acting Range Officer and obey all firing line commands of that person. When an ARO leaves the range he/she will designate another shooter to succeed as ARO and be certain that that individual is aware of his/her duties.

[Sawin]

Call Bob. He's usually there and will come set it straight :).

[Oscar77]

Call Bob. He's usually there and will come set it straight :).

Thanks for everyones replies!

Is Bob the guy that usually rolls around in a silverish sedan?
If so, well actually either way....... can you PM me his phone number?
I see that guy fairly often, though in the past it's been in passing- I'm going and he's arriving...........
And I'll address it calmly next time (but with Cell recording) and if need be Bob there.

[newracer]

1 or 2 would have been appropriate.

[TEAMRICO]

He wants to go that route? You gather all the shooters up and CONDUCT A RANGE BRIEFING!

[Oscar77]

He wants to go that route? You gather all the shooters up and CONDUCT A RANGE BRIEFING!

I know I know.................... The whole exchange was weird...................
I should've known something was going to happen......... it was just a matter of time...............
And yes, I let it go.........
I wont next time............ patterns repeat themselves...................I mean I'll be polite and all but I will also record it as I can see him losing it.