SWAT on the Range Today
 

We were privileged to host half a dozen unit commanders from various local agencies today at my club rifle range. It was a training day for them, to acquaint them with the rules and procedures of our range, so that in the future they may bring members of their teams out to shoot. We offer some capabilities unique in our area, such as a rifle range that extends to 300 yards. We have always been eager to offer our range for their use - it's a long standing tradition for us.

For the most part they did great. Very attentive, eager to learn, and excited about gaining access. The oldest one there was probably 30, if that, with all in apparently top physical condition. There were, however, a couple of them that simply exuded attitude. I guess I don't understand that - we are doing them, and their agencies, a pretty big favor. Oh well...

During our "cease fires", when the range goes "cold", we have a red light that flashes and a bell that rings, alerting everyone to that situation. It is a self governed, cooperative affair, wherein those present agree to a cease fire, and one guy assumes the role of "rangemaster", operating the bells and lights. If they are not on, the range is, by default, "hot".

I called the first cease fire, with the instructor using my actions as an example for them. When I returned from hanging my targets, I turned off the warning devices, and the range was declared "hot". All but these two put their ear protection on. When I actually sat down to begin shooting, I finally had to holler out "you are on a hot range, please put your ears on".

Next cease fire was "theirs". Same thing when they returned from hanging targets and the range went hot - same two guys just stood there with their "ears" around their necks. The instructor let them know this time...

Third cease fire was again "theirs" - they went down range to retrieve their targets. When they returned and the range once again went hot, well, same thing, same two guys. They had their backs to me, less than ten feet away. I made eye contact with the instructor, shrugged my shoulders, and he just smiled... So I sat down and lit off my .220 Swift right behind these guys.

Those of you who shoot centerfire, high intensity rifle rounds know just how loud these things are. Add to that the fact that our range is under a substantial roof, with overhead and side baffles out to almost 50 yards, and it's pretty much like shooting one indoors. It's kind of loud...

These two wasted no time in getting all indignant and pissy with me. I stood right up and told them they were an embarrassment to these other fine young men, their profession, and their departments. The instructor backed me up, simply saying "you were told twice. Maybe now you will remember. We will see when - or if - you come back, because you just failed this training...".

I really hated to see that. I doubt they learned a thing from it. The other four, however, appeared to be fine young men of whom their departments can be proud.

Unbelievable that someone with that kind of background would neglect to do something as simple as putting their ears on.

Sounds like much more fun than the way I spent my day, pushing 1's and 0's around.

The CA Dept. of Justice has ruled that eye AND ear protection are "advised" and a shooting range where the shooters are members or guests, open to the public can not be told they have to use them! I found that quite strange and at our range in Dulzura we say over the loud speaker "eye and ear protection strongly recommended", been doing that for a couple years now. We also pay for range safety officers to attend the NRA RSO school and the RSO's wear a bright orange vest with a name tag. One is the Lead RSO and his/her commands are the law.

One thing we do once a year is host an open house in the evening with a cook out of burgers and hot dogs and then as it is getting dark we demonstrate various kinds of firearms. Myself and two others are the muzzle loader folks, also high power with a .338 Lapua Magnum, shotguns and several hand guns. Once in a while one of the teenagers will take their ear muffs off for one shot and then pop them right back on.

On our ranges, eye and ear protection are mandatory. I'm not sure if it's a club thing, driven by liability concerns, or a matter of state law. I really don't care where it originates. These rules are clearly posted in literally dozens of places. They have been clearly explained to anyone who has gained access. And, in this case, these young men were clearly very much aware of typical range rules and etiquette. They equally clearly felt that they were above all of that, and that others would go out of their way to accommodate them. Maybe it's a generational thing. Older guys, even FNG's, seem to be far more able to follow the simple rules we both post and drill into them before allowing access.

I remember when I was young enough to still know everything...

You can always tell a SWAT guy - You just can't tell them very much..........

HTH does anyone stand on a firing line with open ears?

I had a fun experience at that range, about 15 years ago. Bone head who thought 'range hot' meant 'turn around to your other tactical rifle jack wagons, and discuss the espresso maker 3rd rail tactical solution' without your ears on.

I tried to be courteous, I took my time and made it very obvious I was going to shoot. I mean, you can not claim you did not notice when I'm loading a Hawken replica with a .50 lead ball. I took my time, setting up the shot, using the 'set' trigger, then squeezing off.

The guy jumped about a foot, and his friend just about wet themselves laughing. They all had ears on. Evidently, he was not expecting cannon fire.

I thought that was Norwegians. Maybe Norwegian SWAT...

Interesting story, Jeff. IMO, some people who are drawn to be cops are just that way.

Around here those guys would have been kicked off the range, probably at any public range in AZ.

When I was in ROTC, we were shooting .22s at an indoor range. We didn't wear ear protection, though we all had it with us. I can't remember if they were single shots or 10/22s, but no pistols. It was kind of loud, but not bad. When another guy showed up and lit off a 1911, we all quickly grabbed our ear protection. Never again.

Hearing protection is not joke because hearing loss sucks.

What?

Most of the times I've felt unsafe on a range or witnessed flat out stupid/dangerous behaviors on the range it is the LEO crowed at fault.

I find this hard to believe.

My guess is that Justice said that hearing and eye protection in not mandated by the State

If a range doesn't want to make it mandatory that is fine. I don't think they mean it cannot be made a mandatory range requirement. It is a choice of the range.

Our "range attorney" attended a meeting that is held several times a year in Sacramento where the State DOJ, law enforcement, BATFE and those concerned about shooting, rules, regulations, ETC can attend. I was told it is not open to the public and our man in the grey suit goes to each one. The protection thing was sort of a shocker to me and most other RO's. So far as I know we haven't had anyone not use some sort of hearing protection and also eye protection since our RO's ride herd on the shooters closely.

We are also looking into how the San Diego County can "close" BLM land in two places here near Dulzura since some shooters started a pretty large fire there a couple years ago when shooting tracer ammo in their AR-15's. We don't allow tracer except for the military when the bring out their M2's for shipboard security training. That is usually a "night shoot" and they also shoot trap with their night vision goggles which is interesting to watch! Anyways the federal rangers didn't even attend the county supervisors meetings where local home owners showed doctored images and said the shooters were using full auto rifles and lots of other stuff that wasn't really true but the county closed things. Fortunately for us our shooting range is private property and we meet all the federal guidelines!

Was that the San Diego Rod and Gun Club that they shut down??
Make that SOUTH BAY Rod and Gun Club (it has been awhile).

The South Bay Rod and Gun Club is still alive and kicking! There are two areas where BLM had parcels of land, one called "Pink Gate" and the other "Marron Road" or something similar where you turn off highway 94 to go to our area. If you look on the county website or our club site there is a map showing the closed areas. In the last several years we have bought several additional areas so we are now surrounded by land we own and even have a big area with club house, large work shop and living quarters for our range security/house keeper so things can be kept up. I guess in the distant past we some use for "Rods" although some old timers say it was put in the name to make it "friendlier"!

Jeff, that is outstanding that your range offers its use to the agencies! For any shooter, whether SWAT, military, civilian, etc. not to wear hearing protection on a live range is absolutely insane. Before jumping to conclusions, were they wearing custom inserts that you did not see? I have both types and use either one depending on what I am shooting.

I am the head of the Weapons Training Unit for my Department and would have escorted them off the range without exception. I also extend this ability to any of my firearms instructors. No exceptions!

Thank you for what you do my friend, David

I always take any range rule (bow, gun, etc) very serious and hate it when others do not. I do not trust my safety to others and am always vigilant. I had to yet at a girl on the bow range a while back when she put an arrow in her bow and was about to pull back with two guys still on the range looking for arrows.

Good lesson you taught them..

Nope, no custom inserts - they had muffs hanging around their necks. Coupled with their reaction to my shot, it was pretty clear they had gotten the full effect.

These guys all clearly have some background in all of this. Likely from being in some branch of the service, in addition to have risen to the rank of not only their respective department's SWAT units, but additionally being in some sort of a training or squad leadership capacity in those units.

Their behavior is, of course, being documented back to their departments in the form of having failed our training, which denies them access to our range. They will have to come back and try again. Or, maybe more likely, their departments will have to send someone else back to try again. As for now, their departments have no access until they can send someone who will pass. I would hope that is not taken lightly by their superiors.

We love providing access to law enforcement at our range. We recognize that there are not very many options in our increasingly urban area. That, and the politics of our area tend to be a little hard on gun ranges, particularly outdoor ranges. Even more so with ranges that use up the footprint required to provide a 300 yard rifle range.

To be honest, out motivations are not entirely altruistic. It's also a matter of self preservation. We came within the proverbial "RCH" of being "eminent domained" into a regional, multi-county sewage treatment plant (otherwise known as a "turd farm") just over a decade ago. The only outdoor, multi discipline, long range shooting facility in a multi-county area, and local politicians were going to use the need of this new turd farm as an excuse to shut us down and seize our land.

Well, our many friends in law enforcement stepped in and saved the day. They made it clear to the politicians that they, themselves, had nowhere else to train. That is what put us over the top and saved our range. Politicians, even those who tout "gun safety" (while passing all manner of nuisance law that accomplishes anything but), were eager to shut down the only safe, controlled, supervised environment in a three county area. To hell with civilian shooters having access to any sort of a safe place to shoot. Their turd farm was only an excuse. It was pretty darn tough for them to argue, publicly, with law enforcement's requirements. Especially in light of the fact that our politicians had succeeded in shutting down every other public range on which they relied for the kinds of training opportunities we can provide. We are quite literally their "last man standing" in that regard. So, yeah, some of our motivations are a bit self serving. We really, really want to keep these relationships alive.

Jeff - I really admire the work you and your range folks are doing.

Thanks for sharing this with us - very informative.

In related news, I finally took the Ruger .45 Colt to the range (along with the Smith 442 and Springfield .45 ACP). I am considerably more accurate with the ACP. I wore foam ear plugs AND very expensive Harbor Freight over-the-ear muffs. I followed the Range Master's instructions to the letter.

Of the three handguns, the Smith 442 (hammerless .38 SNS) is the nastiest to shoot. Obnoxious and not a precision tool, but an overall favorite for its purpose. The sweetest handgun is the .45 single action. Just a total joy to shoot.

I ran a couple of boxes through both the SA and the ACP. Again, I was putting the ACP projectiles through about a 3" hole in the target at about ten yards. I could see daylight aside the front sight between the very square black rear sight vertical blocks. The Ruger is a different animal. Silver sights.....huh? Perhaps I should take a Magic Marker to them.

It's not the equipment. It's the operator. I just need to spend more time with this sweet piece. My shots were spread to the left and down. After first verifying that Professor Higgins' words are true. 200 Grain bullets shoot low (seriously...about 3") below 250 grain projectiles.

As an aside, I need to listen more carefully. To both Mr. Higgins and also to Mr. Walker. I am finding that when I fail to listen carefully to their teachings, I struggle. Until I listen.

Supe, heavy bullets shoot higher. Your single action is meant to shoot 250 grain slugs. A little more recoil, and a little more barrel time, mean the muzzle is a bit higher in recoil when the bullet exits the muzzle. This results in a higher point of impact.

I have never understood unfinished stainless steel front sights. Probably the absolute worst color imaginable. No contrast against any sort of a backdrop, and almost impossible to see. Do yourself a favor and paint it. Rough it up a bit first. I like hi-vis orange, like your construction crews have to wear. Some like white, especially for hunting in low light conditions in the deep, dark woods. If you want orange, paint it white first - most "safety orange" is so thin and translucent that it will not cover darker colors.

What do you run through it at the range? It is a handful with the +P .38 special is less snappy. Happen to have some .38 long colt that is a lot less snappy.

Jeff,

I suggest you require those individuals along someone else higher in their chain of command pass the training before opening it their unit(s). Multiple reasons for this approach.

They are the product of their unit command climate. You will probably not be able to positively influence their command climate but requiring their superior to your training and then attend the units use of your range (until you are satisfied with their conduct) will lower the probability of bad stuff happening. The senior is then on the hook for the units conduct with no excuses.

Having a senior present affirms your (and therefor the public at large) lack of confidence in their professionalism. If asked by the senior if this requirement was for all be honest.

If the units have even a partial clue the problem should work itself out as they unit will not want the continued presence of a senior, hopefully for more than the professional embarrassment.

I have a little over 300 yards on my property and have other vets over approximately once a month ostensibly for shooting and burning of beef/pork. The problem child is a DPS Lt. Who happens to be the brother in law of a good friend (I was best man at his wedding and god father to his first daughter so...). The two USAF reserve pilots and the IDF soldierette learned the rules without any problem.

There things I don't chances with. I don't give out my reloading data unless it is a straight forward book (Sierra, Hornady, etc.) unless I have first hand knowledge the person is already competent and extrapolate into stupidity or worse, using NODs (either NVG or thermal) whether shooting or flying, and there are only three others that can use my property for shooting when I am not present. Experience has taught me that too many/most have the Rain Man problem of being a really good driver.

Good luck.

S/F, FOG

Those individuals who did not wear hearing protection have no excuse. They are setting the example for those who follow them, especially if they hold rank. On the flip side, just because they hold rank does not mean they are more skilled or more adept at high-risk situations. I am the commanding officer within my unit, but my other firearms instructors can outshoot me any day of the week and my tactical crew could outflank me as well. I rely on them for their expertise and instruction because they are truly the experts. I am the person who represents the unit higher up the food chain, but give all the well-deserved credit to those badasses doing the job.

Hold those individuals accountable and ensure they adhere to your range's policies for safety. Rock on and thank you for assisting first responders!

SF, David

SWAT on the Range Today
 

I disagree with this statement. To fire off with a blanket statement is just wrong.

Those that chose to serve our communities in public service want to be actively involved in “making a difference”. There is that 1/2% of any professional field that everyone always hears about. Law Enforcement is one just like many “others”

There are only a few professions that the men and women are willing to put on a uniform, identifying themselves and are willing to lie down their lives in the sacrifice of others. Today’s society has seriously forgotten that little fact.

Just last week, Sacramento PD lost a young female officer who was finishing up her training and was arriving on scene of a domestic violence call. As she and her fellow officers approached the property, she was plainly executed by the suspect who shot her at 50’ with a high power rifle. I seriously doubt she was in the profession because of her arrogant attitude thinking she was better that everyone else.

Besides “other” reasons CA has lost it’s common sense mind, there are those of the public that truly hate and feel the law enforcement are the enemy. The other officers that arrived in scene of the before mentioned shooting were heckled and harassed by protesters for trying to keep the rest of the neighborhood and public safe. There were threatened and spat at by individuals as rounds were flying overhead from the suspect shooting.

In El Dorado Hills, a community that is about 20 miles east of Sac, has a set of community boulders that people have painted messages on for years. The day after the Officer was lost, a community member painted a tribute to the Officer on the rock with her name, badge and the “end of watch” date. During the night of the same day, someone does this....
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This is how many see L.E. In today’s narrow minded media fueled society, very sad.

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To blindly state that “some people who are drawn to be cops are just that way. “ for those who chose to serve their communities in that particulate field is a narrow minded comment. And made by someone who has never lost a family member, loved one or friend who was a police office.

Any range training is a place that “everyone” needs to listen to the Range Officer, regardless of profession. It is unfortunate that these guys were in the field they are. Simply because they are suppose to be experts. There is always something to be learned, from a simple draw technique, sight picture, trigger pull, etc. Bottom line, you do not follow the Range Officer’s rules, your off the line....period.

Thank you Jeff for being willing to train those about gun safety.

Cheers




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The statement was that SOME people drawn to law enforcement work feel that way. That is no doubt true.

The statement was not that ALL or even MOST such people feel that way. I'd disagree with such a s claim.