Great range shut down - Buffalo Range in Ottawa, IL

J

jibberjabber

New member
This place was great - especially the "pit". One less place to shoot out-of-doors for enthusiasts in these parts.


From their website:

"The Range is temporarily CLOSED following the issuance of a restraining order served on March 15th, 2012 by the IDNR. It is in reference to unsubstantiated claims of projectiles leaving the range and impacting Park property, and the lack of supervision and safety rules.
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This is nothing more than a malicious extenstion of the Liberal Anti-gun agenda in Springfield.
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We attempt to keep our website updated as much as possible to keep you informed as to when we will re-open.

We urge you* to contact your State officials and voice your opinions on this issue. Help us to preserve your shooting rights and our sport by calling and writing.

Management, Buffalo Range, Inc."
 
There was a range out here not too long ago. Unsupervised and backed up close to Garden of the Gods. Real nice place until some idiot went and shot himself up there. The main justification for shutting it down was a lack of "supervision" reporters were shocked and stunned that it was "unmonitored" with no attendant on duty. I'll be darned if people don't go out shooting every day in the woods with no range officers present.

How ridiculous.
 
No, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Also, more info on the story. The guy didn't shoot himself, but a friend shot him. Two idiots messing around with no care about firearms safety. The range has been shut down now for about 4 years.
 
the lack of supervision and safety rules.
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Good justification for closing down a range to me.
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If you have shot at Buffalo Range since it’s been “revamped” you wouldn’t say that. The place is very strict. Fair, but strict. The rules are told to each and every individual person where you sign up and pay. The rules are strictly enforced by the Range Officers. One mistake, and you are escorted off the property and told never to return.

Here’s a couple examples that I was a part of.

It was a slow day at the range. The 100 yard line only had 3 people including myself. A guy at the far left, one far right, and I set up in the middle. The guy at the far right was shooting a .44 magnum revolver. I was watching him. He loaded 6 rounds, shot 3, then leaned over to look through a spotting scope. He pointed a loaded .44 mag right at me! I turned to look at the Range Officer, who was already heading down to the guy. He very clearly and very loudly told him to unload his revolver, case it up, and remove himself from the property. The shooter started to argue, saying he was a yearly paid member and could come back tomorrow if he wanted. Another Range Officer showed up and the guy was escorted to his pickup truck and told never to return, ever!

The second time was me that got scolded. I was shooting a M1911 at the 25 yard pistol range. Shooting in a Conventional Pistol rapid fire cadence, one shot every two seconds. That was too fast for the range officer, and he let me know it. I agreed, apologized, and went back to slow fire cadence of one round every 30 seconds. Later as I was leaving, the Range Officer stopped me and told me that he knew I was a safe shooter, and could handle a shot every two seconds, but said rules are rules and if he let me do it, he’d have to let everyone do it. I told him no problem, and agreed, rules are rules. I’m just thankful I didn’t get kicked out.

Buffalo Range got a bad reputation from years ago. But the place has really changed. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources are making this into something it’s not. Knee jerk reactions undoubtedly. There are at least 5 private ranges in this area. A stray bullet that was found in a near by state park could have originated from any one of these private ranges. It could have even came from a hunter. But no, it had to have come from Buffalo Range.
 
The beat goes on !!

Buffalo Range in Ottawa, IL
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Not familiar with this range but is it a Private or Public range? If it's private, then you can document "Demonstrated Responsibility". On a public range, it's is very hard to do so. Eventually, I see most public ranges falling into this problem as they are easy targets. ..... ;)

I belong to two private ranges and just lost my one public range. Mostly due to the lack of supervision and safety rules. Might add that the public range is going private and it's mostly a good thing. .... :mad:


Be Safe !!!
 
Good justification for closing down a range to me.
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You seriously believe that a range should be shut down if there's not someone there looking over your shoulder all the time? Of the ranges I go to, not one of them has a range officer. Never been an issue.

I guess people need to be supervised when using those evil guns, right?
 
I agreed, apologized, and went back to slow fire cadence of one round every 30 seconds.
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one shot every 30 seconds. geez, even my county run range is not that strict. it would take me five and a half minutes to do one magazine in my pt-92. not really ideal if your trying to practice anything even close to a self defense situation.
 
^^^^^^^agreed....I don't don't how I could do that, one shot every 30 seconds?

I don't see the training, or fun value in that.

My indoor range allows all the rapid fire, smoking barrels you want, as long as the muzzle remains downrange. My outdoor club is stricter with rapid fire, but in the "couple of seconds" area, not 30.

But, if that's all that's available, 1 shot every 30 seconds is much better than no shooting:)
 
Shutting ranges is an indirect attack on guns. We lost our gun range in SF (located in nearby Pacifica) years ago to similar allegations about stray bullets. Then we lost the Sheriff's range in San Bruno. The CHP put a bullet in the wall of the range at the Presidio and we lost that in the early '90s. When Mare Island closed, we lost a 600 yard range there. I think it is a golf course now.

Now I live in the country and can step outside to shoot. :)
 
You seriously believe that a range should be shut down if there's not someone there looking over your shoulder all the time? Of the ranges I go to, not one of them has a range officer. Never been an issue.

I guess people need to be supervised when using those evil guns, right?
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I prefer going to a range that is supervised (qualified RSO) and posted range rules. Keeps everyone safer IMO. If someone is playing around, all I have to do is talk to the RSO, end of discussion.

If you prefer to shoot without RSO and rules, it's your prerogative and life.

Some people need to be supervised when they go outside their house, period.

Closing down a range an attack on gun rights? I don't think so.
 
roper,

In Colorado, 6 miles is "close". One guy was careless, killed his friend and now our range is closed. I know what happened.
 
I live in the Chicago area and I've been to Buffalo Rock. It is the closest public outdoor range that I'm aware of, and it's a 90 minute drive! It just seems crazy that a population center as large as Chicago, and one needs to drive 90 minutes just to have the opportunity to shoot outdoors. It seems our politicians don't want anyone to enjoy shooting sports.
 
Here in Houston there are plenty of private non-profit shooting ranges. At my rifle range we police one another. I carry a copy of the rules in my range bag and when I see something that doesn't look right I read through it before saying anything. Everyone stresses safety and personal responsibility. The range has been in continues operation since 1946 and has never had an injury or fatality.

I always make a point to introduce myself to each and every person on the firing line. As I do so I look them straight in the eye (I look for bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils. Luckily, I've never found any there). I think it is a good idea to say hello and establish a warm and respectful relationship with fellow shooters, after all I'm trusting them with my life and vice a versa.
 
It seems our politicians don't want anyone to enjoy shooting sports.
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The Chicago Police Department was going to make an outdoor training/shooting range in an industial part of the city, until a BALD EAGLE'S NEST was miraculously discovered in the area. The plan was scrapped.

The closest (to Chicago) outdoor ranges are now Aurora Sportsman's Club, and the ISRA Range near Kankakee, both of which require yearly dues/work hours. Guns are a taboo in Northeast Illinois.
 
I prefer going to a range that is supervised (qualified RSO) and posted range rules
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i agree. at the supervised range i go to there are MANY, and i emphasis many people who are new to firearms. i could only imagine what accidents could occur at a unsupervised range or shooting "area".
 
At an unsupervised range, you are aware of the fact that you are in control of your own safety, and if you see something unsafe going on, you politely tell the person. YOU ARE the range officer, as is the person shooting next to you.
 
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