Carrying handguns at the Range?

This thread is interesting to me in that it seems there are two sides:
One side- says action open and on bench
Other side- gun free of ammo and holstered

My take- I think responsible gun owners should be allowed to have a loaded, holstered, concealed gun on them while at the grocery store or driving their car etc.

Peeling back of rights whether at a restricted range or where ever is a step in the wrong direction.
 
danimal247 said:
i honestly wish i could holster at my range - it's fking stupid to have to leave it on the bench if everyone is responsible and the mag is out. What do you think happens at idpa events where everyone is holstered with no mag in the gun - do innocent people get ripped a new one? Heck no - but if we can't carry anywhere else in this country why does it have to be restricted at a range where we are entitled to enjoy our purchases (if need be make it a requirement to be club level holster certified for the "safety" of other members)
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+ 1
 
once at the range , someone grabbed my piece without permission (to have a closer look)...it only happened once, it was someone invited to the club, so there was probably a simple lack of knowledge...and it probably will never happen again, but it has left an ever lasting fear that it could happen again, and makes me turn around every 5 seconds when i go change my target...i really hate leaving my gun behind

keep an eye on idiots; they are everywhere.
 
Danimal247 said:
I honestly wish I could holster at my range - it's fking stupid to have to leave it on the bench if everyone is responsible and the mag is out. what do you think happens at IDPA events where everyone is holstered with no mag in the gun - do innocent people get ripped a new one? heck no - but if we can't carry anywhere else in this country why does it have to be restricted at a range where we are entitled to enjoy our purchases (if need be make it a requirement to be club level holster certified for the "safety" of other members)
Click to expand...

And there in lies the problem.
Not everyone is responsible and not everyone has common sense which by definition most people should have.

This is how I was taught. I assumed that everyone went through the same course but I guess I'm wrong.


http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/CFSCmanualVer2.pdf

Page 164 5.3 A
6. Upon the command "Cease Fire" all firing stops at once. Firearms are unloaded. Actions are opened. Firearms are laid on the mat or on the table. Their muzzles point in a safe direction down range. The shooter steps backfrom the firing line, behind the cease-fire line.

7. The Range Officer will inspect each firearm before allowing anyone to go forward of the firing line.

On a side note Quebec is the only province which doesn't allow any type of competition where a person can be forward of the firing line while the range is active.

So for all you people out there who think your rules are restricive think again.
 
The CRFSC teaches that drill.
Some clubs use a similar routine.
At the ranges where I do most of my shooting, that is not the policy.
From the standpoint of safety and control, a holster is the best place for a pistol. It is pointed in a safe direction, and is under the complete control and management of the shooter.

Wouldn't the firing line be where the shooter or shooters are when firing?
 
tiriaq said:
...
Wouldn't the firing line be where the shooter or shooters are when firing?
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Yes it is.
Page 166 shows the range layout.

http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/CFSCmanualVer2.pdf


I usually shoot at an indoor range where you don't need to go down range to replace your targets.
On outdoor ranges where people need to go down range to replace their targets is where it gets tricky.

I have no issue with people carrying holstered but I need to follow the rules in place.
 
thump_rrr said:
And there in lies the problem.
Not everyone is responsible and not everyone has common sense which by definition most people should have.

This is how I was taught. I assumed that everyone went through the same course but I guess I'm wrong.


http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/CFSCmanualVer2.pdf

Page 164 5.3 A
6. Upon the command "Cease Fire" all firing stops at once. Firearms are unloaded. Actions are opened. Firearms are laid on the mat or on the table. Their muzzles point in a safe direction down range. The shooter steps backfrom the firing line, behind the cease-fire line.

7. The Range Officer will inspect each firearm before allowing anyone to go forward of the firing line.

On a side note Quebec is the only province which doesn't allow any type of competition where a person can be forward of the firing line while the range is active.

So for all you people out there who think your rules are restricive think again.
Click to expand...

:popCorn:
 
The ranges Im a member of neither have a range officer and generally I am the only person shooting.

Ive seen random people including kids on dirt bikes just pull into the range here in Williams Lake to have a look around. The last one happened when I was down range changing targets and hurried back when I seen the kid standing just outside the shooting hut looking at my guns that were left lying on the shooting tables.

I haven't seen any rule stating I cannot do it so I pack my holstered handgun with me down range.

There was recently a story in our news letter about a father and son being charged by a bear while they were checking their targets. They had their rifles with them down range and had to kill the bear. What would have happened if they didn't have them?

So there are two reasons for me it's a good idea to pack my handgun in my holster instead of leaving it on the bench.
 
I was referring to the Quebec situation.
A lot of ranges have a target area, the rest of the range is open. The firing line is wherever the shooter(s) need(s) to be for the course of fire.

Once the shooter is on the range, the pistol comes out of its transport case at whatever point is designated as the safety area, and goes into the holster, unloaded, magazine out. It doen't leave the holster and isn't loaded until the RO gives appropriate direction. When a given exercise is finished, the pistol is cleared, and goes back into the holster. All pistols on the range are controlled at all times.
 
as usual it only takes a bad apple to rot the rest of the basket... otherwise, we would be able to have a holstered weapon and move freely on the range premises ...even in quebec...


p.s. quebec , being the most corrupted province, is also the most regulated... let it be an example that utter control leads to utter corruption.
 
drache said:
The ranges Im a member of neither have a range officer and generally I am the only person shooting.

Ive seen random people including kids on dirt bikes just pull into the range here in Williams Lake to have a look around. The last one happened when I was down range changing targets and hurried back when I seen the kid standing just outside the shooting hut looking at my guns that were left lying on the shooting tables.

.
Click to expand...

i have to admit that if i would be alone at the range i would also keep my piece with me...anyone arriving on the scene to shoot their own firearm would understand why you are doing it...
 
For pistols my club has an action range where you can have your gun holstered and carry it all over.

The other rifle ranges are action open on the bench when changing targets.

It is sad that you guys are even concerned about people stealing your ####! I have never even thought about that, but I have never met anyone at my range who seemed the type to do such a thing either.
 
I dont see a problem with it. I shoot at the 300 range and I do not leave my weapons on the table nor do ppl around me. We all make sure all weapons are safe, holster your pistol unloaded and anything else you have.
 
My club's rules are posted, which is a good idea at any club.

http://eohc.ca/rules.asp

In our case, holsterd carry is STRONGLY encouraged with the gun proven safe, mag removed and the firearm de-cocked where possible.

Unless I am shooting with friends I trust, my gun stays on my hip where it is safe from theft or misuse.
 
mlehtovaara said:
It is sad that you guys are even concerned about people stealing your s**t! I have never even thought about that, but I have never met anyone at my range who seemed the type to do such a thing either.
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True, it is unfortunate that the possibility exists.. I don't think however it's very likely, but it's also not likely I'm going to see a bear charge me at the range either, but that possibility exists too.
I shoot in the murder capital of Canada.. I won't lie, it has occured to me before that some thug could drive to the range, where he happens to know plenty of firearms are left just sitting on the bench, 100+ yards away from their owners, and quietly walk away with one during a cease fire... let's hope he walks away quietly!
Carry your pistols holstered at your unsupervised range and if there's policy against it, raise the issue at your next club meeting.
 
mlehtovaara said:
It is sad that you guys are even concerned about people stealing your s**t! I have never even thought about that, but I have never met anyone at my range who seemed the type to do such a thing either.
Click to expand...

I think I'd be more concerned with someone handling or mishandling my firearm while I'm downrange. Theft is a lesser (albeit real) consideration as well.
 
there's so MANY variations that it's not funny- i've belonged to at least 4 clubs over the years, and each one had a different rule of "made safe" - all the way from a simple holstering with strap over hammer/ then strap UNDER hammer, to leave it on the bench , action open , but the ammo in your pocket, to completely cased( needless to say, i wasn't a member there every long) and secured( which meant locked in their version) - to just walk away and leave everything on the bench, action open- to those that have a justifible threat downrange, i say holstered, with mag/rounds in, on safe, and strapped- ie the bears in b/c seem to often frequent the range- maybe they're attracted by the sound-
 
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