Tense moment at the range today

[cubbyjg]

First, if this story gets winded, my apologies. Today i decided to go to the range today to practice with my glock 26 since it is my ccw. I go to my usual range (Marksman Indoor Range) which is a typical family owned place. The people that work their are great. I have been there many times so i am fairly sure who works there and who doesnt. It was kind of busy and i was in their waiting room which also has their gun cases and accessories. There was only one person working behind the counter and i was on the opposite end looking at some holsters while waiting. As i hear the door open, i out of habit just glance to see who comes in then go about my business. This lady walks in talking to her another man and out of the corner of my eye, i see her moving real quickly toward my direction. She makes a bee-line straight to the swinging half door that is next to me which allows employees to get access to the gun cases, ammo, etc.

Ive have never seen this women so i look in the direction of where the employee is and the next thing i hear is, "MA'AM, STOP WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW!! YOU CANNOT BE BACK HERE!!" and i see him put his hand on his gun (he is open carrying) but he does not unholster yet. Since i am literally right next to her, i take a big step back away from the counter and i proceed to grab the bottom of my t-shirt with my left hand but i do not lift it up though. I also did not put my right hand anywhere near my gun because as soon as she sees him reaching, she stops in her tracks and says, "I am Bob's (not real name) mother, i am family". She backs away and he explains to her that he has no idea who she was and she cant just walk in like she owns the place without identifying herself. She apologizes for her stupidness multiple times and he lets it go. He apologized as well but i felt he had no reason to. Look like Bob is the grandson (possibly) of one of the ladies that normally works there. Very tense moment to say the least. I have realized that now that i am carrying, i much more aware of what is going on around me. I am just glad that i took the time to evaluate the situation before even thinking about lifting up my shirt.

[joe817]

Good situational awareness cubbyjg! Both you and the range employee. You were doing what you needed to do on many levels:
1. Threat assessment
2. Getting out of the line of fire of the employee, if things went south in a hurry
3. Going to full alert mode orange, preparing to defend yourself.

[glbedd53]

Sorry to change the subject but how is their selection of concealment holsters?

[gigag04]

Were you close enough to go hands on? If she didn't have a weapon presented AND you can see empty hands, I think I would actually close to reactionary gap, and get ready to do a take down....

However...

I have the luxury of practicing such antics and calling it "work" so I think you're response was def appropriate.

[cubbyjg]

They have a small selection of holsters. Don Humme and another brand if i can remember correctly. As far as the hands, by the time i stepped back she was already through the swinging door and i couldnt see her hands.

[TLynnHughes]

I imagine that was a bit tense. Great situational awareness. Although the Marksman is a great place, it's not in the best of neighborhoods. I've never had any trouble there though and you're right, the employees are great!

T.

[texjames]

I am not so sure about the situational awareness part...The woman did not show a weapon or make any indication she was going to
cause bodily harm to anyone other then going to an employee only area.If you had cleared leather the guy working the shop would
probably shot you as he would see you as more of a threat.

[randomoutburst]

I am not so sure about the situational awareness part...The woman did not show a weapon or make any indication she was going to
cause bodily harm to anyone other then going to an employee only area.If you had cleared leather the guy working the shop would
probably shot you as he would see you as more of a threat.

I disagree. The very fact that he DIDN'T unholster his weapon means he behaved appropriately with the information he had. She may not have shown a weapon but could have had a concealed one - regardless, the OP did not draw his weapon on her.
He was aware of what was happening and prepared to act if he had to - that is good SA.

[txcshooter]

Good job, cubby!