I gave up on the public range for these reasons:
- I hated seeing kids lose their hearing when I shot because their adult supervision brought them no eyes and ears. I tried handing out plugs, but got told no or treated rudely too much.
- I hated seeing people play home gunsmith behind me with loaded guns that were somehow jacked up.
-I hated arguing with the RO about the no 3 fast shot rule when I was double tapping a target, then double tapping a second target. While some jackwad was hip shooting an AK without a target 3 tables down!
- I didn't mind the spare bullet holes in my targets so much, but when we call the line cold, unload your rifle. I would always have to tell some person, please clear your chamber now. Apparently at Semi's 4 Newb's gun shop, they don't tell them...remove the mag, then empty the chamber.
So, the solution to crappy public ranges: (Here it is)
-Armed RO's who will enforce the rules. Give them a series of punishments to apply. Maybe have some kind of appeal process.
-Punishment for dangerous acts... Basic rules violation like not wearing ears= go home for the day. Point your gun at another person=banned for 3 months. Handle guns on a cold range=mandatory training before being allowed back, etc.
-Mandatory range introduction training to be held be the RO 1/2 hour before open. You need this before you can shoot there at all.
-rules committee of experienced shooters and state officials.
-budget to grow the range and take action as issues arise.
The way to get mandatory gun training is the same way we got mandatory birth control training. Put it in the schools.
- Eddie the Eagle- Stop, Tell a responsible adult.
- Intro to guns - 4 safety rules, training of 4 rules, loading and unloading, making safe, I.e staging and securing a firearm which is somehow in the situation, target shooting, shooting at jugs to show the destructiveness of ammunition, last how guns are used daily in society to make the world a better place.
- Basic tactical use - range safety while moving, using firearms safely to solve tactical problems(like IDPA), when to call 911, how to make contact with police/fire/ambulance when firearms are in the situation.
I'm thinking schools could possibly use hand me down guns and ammo from LEO, crime confiscations or military surplus