Question: How do you feel about ranges disarming you?

[Soap]

In most gun ranges around my area they require you to have all your weapons unloaded until you're on the range. I mostly agree with this except I conceal carry everywhere. Yet, when I go to a range they require you to unload your guns in the lobby. These guys live by the gun and they expect us to rely on them if there is a random shooter. Personally, I always keep on gun on me loaded anyway. I know it's their place and their rules but to me I See them just as bad as these companies who put up gun signs.

I'm from NC, and none of my ranges cared. The rules was don't draw if you want to live. No one ever got in trouble there.

[Beiruty]

In most gun ranges around my area they require you to have all your weapons unloaded until you're on the range. I mostly agree with this except I conceal carry everywhere. Yet, when I go to a range they require you to unload your guns in the lobby. These guys live by the gun and they expect us to rely on them if there is a random shooter. Personally, I always keep on gun on me loaded anyway. I know it's their place and their rules but to me I See them just as bad as these companies who put up gun signs.

I'm from NC, and none of my ranges cared. The rules was don't draw if you want to live. No one ever got in trouble there.

At our Dallas Pistol Club, it is a called "Cold-range" that means, once you arrive, there are 2 "safe areas"

Unload your Concealed Carrry, holster and the only time you can load and make ready is under the direction of the RO at the shooting bay. DPC is outdoor range in the middle of the city.
http://www.dallaspistolclub.com

[Soap]

Are there a lot of dummies shooting themselves? I've carried a back up anyway and no one knew. I fear a mass shooter could walk in and do damage. I don't want to beg a RO to save me. I generally respect the rules, I do. Just at this particular range near me there are questionable people. I assume that's why they even have that rule. I like your idea better than our range.

[denwego]

My thoughts are these: just about every range in the state has at least one person trained as a CHL instructor to offer the classes and make some cash. Every one of them needs to know about 30.06/30.07 signs, and how a normal "no weapons" or "no loaded firearms" sign valid under 30.05 has no legal effect on anyone carrying with a LTC. Even if there is no instructor on staff, they deal with license holders day in and day out, and I must assume they all know at MINIMUM that 06/07 signs exist.

If a range therefore chooses to post a sign which forbids loaded weapons outside the firing line, or requires them to be cased, etc., I in turn must assume they have chosen such a policy knowing full well that it doesn't apply to people carrying with a LTC, and have consciously taken that path to allow the licensed population to carry a handgun which never leaves its holster on the property, same as how it never leaves the holster at HEB or the dog park. If someone's walking about carrying openly, they'll probably tell you to secure it to avoid folks from drawing from the holster to shoot (which is something most ranges don't allow in my experience, at least without extra certification or the like). BUT, that oral notification is clearly on a person-to-person basis, specifically to allow general concealed carry.

And a final personal choice... if I'm at the range with $2000 worth of guns, ammo, and equipment, it's insanity to think I'm not going to have some sort of backup gun on me as I walk to and from the car at the range. Policy be damned when thugs in Houston stake out banks and gun stores to rob people in the parking lot, or to follow them from those locations to somewhere else in hopes of their guard being down.

[cirus]

I've never even been to a range. Luckily I live in the country and have no need.

[Soap]

My thoughts are these: just about every range in the state has at least one person trained as a CHL instructor to offer the classes and make some cash. Every one of them needs to know about 30.06/30.07 signs, and how a normal "no weapons" or "no loaded firearms" sign valid under 30.05 has no legal effect on anyone carrying with a LTC. Even if there is no instructor on staff, they deal with license holders day in and day out, and I must assume they all know at MINIMUM that 06/07 signs exist.

If a range therefore chooses to post a sign which forbids loaded weapons outside the firing line, or requires them to be cased, etc., I in turn must assume they have chosen such a policy knowing full well that it doesn't apply to people carrying with a LTC, and have consciously taken that path to allow the licensed population to carry a handgun which never leaves its holster on the property, same as how it never leaves the holster at HEB or the dog park. If someone's walking about carrying openly, they'll probably tell you to secure it to avoid folks from drawing from the holster to shoot (which is something most ranges don't allow in my experience, at least without extra certification or the like). BUT, that oral notification is clearly on a person-to-person basis, specifically to allow general concealed carry.

And a final personal choice... if I'm at the range with $2000 worth of guns, ammo, and equipment, it's insanity to think I'm not going to have some sort of backup gun on me as I walk to and from the car at the range. Policy be damned when thugs in Houston stake out banks and gun stores to rob people in the parking lot, or to follow them from those locations to somewhere else in hopes of their guard being down.

I never thought about the signs. There aren't any. So I carry anyway. I don't want to have to load and unload in my car. I'd rather keep a gun loaded and untouched on my person. I had a buddy freak out on me because I told him I had a back up gun that I don't touch at the range. He was telling me it's against their rules LOL. I'm not paranoid but I carry everywhere. I can't take a chance of leaving my daughter without me. There have been range shootings before.

[Jago668]

I wouldn't go to a range posting a 30.06. Other than that I conceal carry when I go regardless of whatever unloaded/cased signs they have.

[Keith B]

The ranges I have been to require you to stay concealed with your carry weapon. If you choose to shoot it, then you must either unload it in the safe area or wait until you get to the line to draw from concealment, then unload it. You cannot draw from holster to shoot. Once you have finished shooting it you can reload and conceal again at the line, but can't draw it out. Each range is different, and they treat open carry differently, so you must follow those rules on if they even allow it off the shooting line.

[warnmar10]

The ranges I have been to require you to stay concealed with your carry weapon. If you choose to shoot it, then you must either unload it in the safe area or wait until you get to the line to draw from concealment, then unload it. You cannot draw from holster to shoot. Once you have finished shooting it you can reload and conceal again at the line, but can't draw it out. Each range is different, and they treat open carry differently, so you must follow those rules on if they even allow it off the shooting line.

This is my experience too.

[Flightmare]

The ranges I have been to require you to stay concealed with your carry weapon. If you choose to shoot it, then you must either unload it in the safe area or wait until you get to the line to draw from concealment, then unload it. You cannot draw from holster to shoot. Once you have finished shooting it you can reload and conceal again at the line, but can't draw it out. Each range is different, and they treat open carry differently, so you must follow those rules on if they even allow it off the shooting line.

I went to a range in Keller with my family on Sunday last weekend. They have private suites you can rent, which are basically private hallways up to the firing line. Instead of a fixed bench, they have a rolling cart. On these private suites, they allow draw & shoot, as well as rapid fire. Was great to be able to actually practice drawing from my holster, actually pushing the safety off and pulling the trigger. I have yet to find another range that offered the ability to draw and shoot.

[The Annoyed Man]

Are there a lot of dummies shooting themselves?

Actually, yes, there are. I am a DOC member too, and I know that it has happened there........more than once.....

[Jose_in_Dallas]

The ranges I have been to require you to stay concealed with your carry weapon. If you choose to shoot it, then you must either unload it in the safe area or wait until you get to the line to draw from concealment, then unload it. You cannot draw from holster to shoot. Once you have finished shooting it you can reload and conceal again at the line, but can't draw it out. Each range is different, and they treat open carry differently, so you must follow those rules on if they even allow it off the shooting line.

I went to Targetmaster's last weekend for the first time to shoot my AR and 10/22 and while going over the range rules, I came across where it said that all guns must be unloaded until at the firing lane. I mentioned to the guy behind the counted that I had a CHL and that I was carrying and if it would be a problem. He said not a problem and thanked me for letting him know. It's been a while since I've been to a public range and frankly never paid attention to if it was OK to carry concealed or not. But I was with my nephew and I wanted to set an example for following the rules so I asked. I enjoyed it and I liked the fact that for the $18 per person, we could switch between the pistol and rifle range and even leave and come back and continue shooting as long as it was on the same day. It was a little bit of a drive for me but if I want to shoot at an indoor range, I'll probably be back.

I went to a range in Keller with my family on Sunday last weekend. They have private suites you can rent, which are basically private hallways up to the firing line. Instead of a fixed bench, they have a rolling cart. On these private suites, they allow draw & shoot, as well as rapid fire. Was great to be able to actually practice drawing from my holster, actually pushing the safety off and pulling the trigger. I have yet to find another range that offered the ability to draw and shoot.

What range was this if you don't mind me asking? The only time I get to practice drawing from a holster and rapid firing has been at a private range that I get invited to every once in a while. I'd be willing to pay extra to do so if the price was reasonable.

[JerryK]

I would not go to a public range that doesn't allow carrying. But I do attend a Defensive club that has a cold range and I disarm/unload prior to entering but we carry all the components to arm within the time frame to load a magazine into the guns.

I was also a member of a private club that allowed almost anything once you qualified and will be rejoining there soon.

[Flightmare]

The ranges I have been to require you to stay concealed with your carry weapon. If you choose to shoot it, then you must either unload it in the safe area or wait until you get to the line to draw from concealment, then unload it. You cannot draw from holster to shoot. Once you have finished shooting it you can reload and conceal again at the line, but can't draw it out. Each range is different, and they treat open carry differently, so you must follow those rules on if they even allow it off the shooting line.

I went to Targetmaster's last weekend for the first time to shoot my AR and 10/22 and while going over the range rules, I came across where it said that all guns must be unloaded until at the firing lane. I mentioned to the guy behind the counted that I had a CHL and that I was carrying and if it would be a problem. He said not a problem and thanked me for letting him know. It's been a while since I've been to a public range and frankly never paid attention to if it was OK to carry concealed or not. But I was with my nephew and I wanted to set an example for following the rules so I asked. I enjoyed it and I liked the fact that for the $18 per person, we could switch between the pistol and rifle range and even leave and come back and continue shooting as long as it was on the same day. It was a little bit of a drive for me but if I want to shoot at an indoor range, I'll probably be back.

I went to a range in Keller with my family on Sunday last weekend. They have private suites you can rent, which are basically private hallways up to the firing line. Instead of a fixed bench, they have a rolling cart. On these private suites, they allow draw & shoot, as well as rapid fire. Was great to be able to actually practice drawing from my holster, actually pushing the safety off and pulling the trigger. I have yet to find another range that offered the ability to draw and shoot.

What range was this if you don't mind me asking? The only time I get to practice drawing from a holster and rapid firing has been at a private range that I get invited to every once in a while. I'd be willing to pay extra to do so if the price was reasonable.

http://www.shootsmart.com/

[Jose_in_Dallas]

http://www.shootsmart.com/

Thanks! I'll have to check it out.