What if you are threatened/accosted at club?

Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Messages
5,659
Likes
111
Feedback: 6 / 0 / 0
My club recently decided to install a gate for security reasons. Apparently some non members have been entering the club and have been involved in suspicious activities.

Question: If you were at the range by yourself and a car pulled up with a few guys in it. Say the guys started approaching you from different angles but didn't say anything but it was clear they were coming after you. What would you do? What if they told you to give them the guns but they "appeared" to be unarmed?

I'd hate to be stuck at the club at night alone while some thugs tried to get my firearms. What if they tried to use them on you if they did get them? Legal issues? Legit defense?
 
If we were in Florida, you'd shot and ask question later. For what I read here, I guess everybody would say,
1) Tell the people to leave because it is private property.
2) Keep your distance and try to call the police.
3)If you are successful in 2 warn them that you have do that.
4) If you fear that harm is still coming and you are afraid that you can't get away I guess pop them in the center of the chest.

What you say guys? Ken? Scrivener? Lynne? Chris? am I learning [grin]
 
I sort of remember that the two guys that were part of the Miami FBI shootout got some of their guns by killing a guy shooting at a sandpit. The guy from Family Ties played one of the brutes in the movie about the shootout. I’m not sure if it is a historically accurate representation of the facts. Maybe not. In the movie he just walked up to him and asked to try his gun. Then killed him with it.

About a year ago I had someone at the club just come up out of the blue and interrupt me shooting. A car drove into the club, and three people got out at the clubhouse and one almost immediately walked all the way across the parking lot to interrupt me. He was just trying a little too hard to be friendly and it kind of creeped me out. He was about 24-25 years old. He looked pretty rough and had a very intense focused look about him. Sort of like a leopard getting ready to pounce. He wanted to know all about my Makarov and asked if he could put his mits on it and fiddlefuk it. I told him sorry, I’m just packing up to leave. It was all very friendly and polite, and I talked with him for about five minutes before I left. There was one other guy on the line with me that day. It made me feel a little safer.

Honestly I think there is more of a chance of having something disappear from the range on a busy day. If their intent is to get a gun, they’re probably are not interested in a confrontation. You should always remain situationally aware though.

B
 
If I am alone I alway have a side arm on me!! I am a good judge of character I I go with my instincts!!! A similar event happened to me and Howie up in Vermont a couple of years ago!! The guys were sketchy mad the hairs on your arm stand up!!! go with your gut!!! I'm not saying shoot first!!! but keep some distance. I would ask to see their membership cards
 
Unfortunately I never go to the local ranges any more without a loaded gun on me. Have not had any problems nor heard of any, but with some of the people and gangs around today I have made the decision not to take any chances.
 
I sort of remember that the two guys that were part of the Miami FBI shootout got some of their guns by killing a guy shooting at a sandpit. The guy from Family Ties played one of the brutes in the movie about the shootout. I’m not sure if it is a historically accurate representation of the facts. Maybe not. In the movie he just walked up to him and asked to try his gun. Then killed him with it.

It is accurate. IIRC they did it at least twice and one guy lived. I think that gave the FBI some clues about Platt and Matix, the shooters.
 
Light'em up. When the smoke clears check their ID's to see who they were.


That was a joke for you uptighties....
 
I agree with a lot of the posters. Situational awareness is #1 in any environment - not just at the range. Don't let anyone you don't know "try" your gun. Always have a spare on you.

I shoot at a very rural range where I know or have seen almost everyone around at some point, but even there, I stay aware.

I was shooting onetime and this teenager (or so it appeared based on size, etc.) dressed in camo and a balaclava ran across the range during a mag change. I had been shooting for about 15 minutes, so he must have been out there in the brush. Damn lucky he didn't catch a stray round. But, goes to show you - you can never know the other guy's state of mental health.
 
tele_mark said:
Isn't that what berms are for?

That's why some clubs don't let you dig in the berms... you might find something you weren't supposed too!

On a more serious note: I am almost always alone at my club and I pop my pistol in my holster when I go down range on those days.
 
If a bunch of guys approached me if I was alone at the club I'd remind them that I'm the one with the guns. Thankfully I tend to load multiple magazines at a time, so I'd point that out too...

If I was already in my car, I'd run them over.
 
ChristosX said:
Never shoot alone.


Chris

That would be nice, but it's not always practical or possible. I like to shoot when I have a rare day off in the middle of the week. Only once did I run into someone while doing that. He was an off duty LEO who came up to some shooting on his day off.

Since one of the rules of the club is to close the gate behind you when you enter, if someone drives up they are almost 100% likely to be a member. The range is about 1/4 mile from the road, so if someone walks up, it's not likely to be random. We even had a guy that set up camp way behind the berms, where people rarely go. He was removed by the PD without incident.

To answer the original question, I always carry a handgun that I don't plan to shoot so it has defensive loads in it. I've wondered about this situation, but thought I was the only one with a mind strange enough to do so.

Gary
 
To answer the original question, I always carry a handgun that I don't plan to shoot so it has defensive loads in it. I've wondered about this situation, but thought I was the only one with a mind strange enough to do so.

Gary,

Do you by any chance have a CCW or live in a state where you can carry without a license? Do you carry concealed while out and about on business or pleasure? Nothing different about carrying on the range.
 
FPrice said:
Gary,

Do you by any chance have a CCW or live in a state where you can carry without a license? Do you carry concealed while out and about on business or pleasure? Nothing different about carrying on the range.

Yes. I'm not sure why you ask, but in looking at what you quoted, I might not have been clear. What I meant was I carry a weapon that I don't plan to shoot that day at the range. That way it's never empty or loaded with reloads or anything less then a good defensive round.

Gary
 
I've always CCW'd (or it might be visible sometimes) when at the range (and to and from). Like others, that gun is loaded with defensive ammo.

When I belonged to Sharon F&G, I would take criticism for doing this. Club members would give me "what do you need to carry for here". Meanwhile the place was broken into more times than any of us could count, kids (and adults) would just "show up there", etc. Walking out into the dark parking lot at night was what I consider high risk in a wooded area.

Nobody blinks at Braintree R&P when people carry there, and lots of people do. It is very rare that you would be "alone" there as the place is "homey" and conducive to a fair number of retirees that hang out there every day, kibbutz with each other, watch satellite TV, and drink coffee.
 
Yes. I'm not sure why you ask,

Perhaps i was not very clear either. Many of us do not consider it strange to carry while at the range. You are definitely not alone in this.
 
At where I shoot, I always close the gate behind me if it was closed to begin with. That way I know that the next car that comes down the driveway is a member of the club.

But I also CCW as well cuz you can't be 100% sure.
 
I think its a great idea to carry at the range, especially if you do wind up
by yourself. Your trying to concnetrate on shooting not observing traffic.

You might be vulnerable. Being prepared is what its about, not scrambling
around if something happens.

JimB
 
I'm usually not alone at the club, however if that situation were to occur...

If I don't recognize someone, I ask to see their badge. If there's more than a couple and their spreading out, I'd make damn sure to tell them that's making me nervous and they DON'T want to make me nervous (as I'm placing my hand on my holster, or going to low ready position with whatever I happen to be shooting). If I've got the time to do it, I grab the cell phone with the other hand and call 911 while keeping an eye on what they're doing. I'd scream at them to do whatever it is I need them to do - either drop to the ground, get away from me, etc. - depending on the situation.

I can hear cars coming in while shooting on the outside ranges. I always look to see who's coming in. The members at our club are SUPPOSED to lock the gate when they come in. Not everyone does it, which P's me off to no end.

Worse case scenario? If I had to shoot...well, I'm not about to give up my guns. Take it from there.
 
The Worst Problem I Have Ever Had On The Range...

is the old, lonely guy who wants to talk your ear off about all sorts of uninteresting topics while you are trying to concentrate on sighting in your firearm.

And he just won't shut up!!!!
 
Our club is private property. Members and guests can carry loaded guns anywhere except inside the bar area. Best damn security there is.

We have recently installed keycard access to the outdoor ranges. Standing orders are that you open the gate for NO ONE but yourself. Authorized members should have a working card. Of course, rules are broken. It happens.

During 'events' the gate is propped open and people can come in and out, but at those times, you generally have about a dozen 'well regulated' shooters around.

Even so, a chain link fence isn't a real barrier and a determined person can always get by. It's just a lot more obvious.

I don't think the rules of self defense change just because you are at a formal club range as opposed to anywhere else. The only real difference is that gunshots will not cause anyone to call the police.

I don't recommend buring the bodies in the berm. Just ask anyone over at Hopkington Sportsman's how annoying it was having the state police digging up the ranges. Then again, they DID clean up nicely when they were done. (^_^)

Seriously, if all the conditions for defending ones self are met (it's really those conditions you need to learn and a forum is NOT the place to do that) then you are justified in the actions of self defense. Otherwise, you are not. It's really that simple. Regardless of who, what, or where.

How many violent crimes have you heard about at ranges or gun shows?

Even in teaching classes where we have a LARGE array of firearms as teaching aids in a classroom that is ammo free, there are measures taken for safety and security. For obvious reasons, those measures will not be discussed.

I think the biggest issue we ever had was the guy who looked like he wanted to walk off with a fairly valuable Hi-Cap magazine. We also had the "men with accents" issue where they changed their address twice during the class (one day class) which prompted three of the instructors to call the licence authority in all three towns. Never heard anything from it, but it was a little unsettling. I think the worst part was the whispering amoung the men with phrases like "Dirka Dirka Muhamad Jihad" But I could be mistaken.

Wierd stuff happens. Just remember that the use of a firearm MUST be the last possible option and look for other ways to handle the situation.

I close with a repeat of my mantra "Get More Training".
 
Chris said:
Just remember that the use of a firearm MUST be the last possible option and look for other ways to handle the situation.

Agreed. The reason I posted this was because the situation seems different in the event a perpetrator was able (or tried) to get access of you unloaded guns when you were down range. One would have to make a determination of whether or your life is in immenent danger. Simply put- if someone did sneak up and tried to get your unloaded firearms while you were downrange- would you let them go? Could one assume your life was threatened at that point or do you wait to see if they just try to leave with your guns (in which case you were not in imment danager). I've thought this our a bit and know what I'd do... just curious of other's thoughts.
 
jwilson said:
If I am alone I alway have a side arm on me!!

+1

I go to the range quite often alone and 1/2 the time I am the only one down there. We do have a gate at our club so non-members do not have easy access.

I actually have made it habit to stop what I am doing any time I am at the range by myself and even think I hear or see something. I stop and review my surroundings. If someone just pulled in I wait to see which range they are going and if I can see their membership displayed on his/her person. If they are coming to the range I am setup at I wait patiently to introduce myself and confirm their membership at the same time.

I think that should be norm for anyone visiting a club by themselves. Time is lost at the range assuring I have a safe surrounding but very minimal and since you don't have a second set of eyes/ears I think its our duty to do this.

I have only run into one instance where a non-club member was onsite and they made it quite clear they were just inquiring on membership and wanted to see the grounds.
 
Back
Top Bottom