Confessions from an RSO

[Cyrus Cassidy #45437]

Like most of you on this forum, I have a rather extensive firearms background in addition to SASS. Regarding competitive shooting, I used to compete in SASS, but also USPSA, IDPA, Bianchi Cup, and smallbore silhouette. I have also been an NRA certified instructor for 24 years, and have all but two of the instructor certifications (with one more pending!). I'm also an NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, and as you probably are aware, spent time as a cop and almost 32 years (and counting) in the military. There are a few other things I can't mention here, but suffice it to say the court system in Colorado has ruled that I'm a bona fide firearms and use of force expert. So, recently, I started volunteering as an RSO at one of the three gun clubs where I'm a member. At this range, RSOs must be NRA RSO certified and undergo a club-specific training. We are "paid" in free rounds of trap / skeet. But it also pads my resume.

 

Let me tell you, in a short period of time I've become rather frustrated with the shooting community. Here are the big ones; feel free to add yours:

 

- There is a giant sign upon entering the facility stating that full automatic fire is not allowed. I don't care if you own or possess a full auto legally, you cannot shoot it on full auto here. It's also on the paperwork you signed to be allowed on the range. Yes, I know you're legal; it's still against club policy. I'm certain it's an insurance thing, but I also know that idiots with full autos keep ruining our target frames. You have two choices: Shoot on semi-auto, or leave.

 

- I don't care that you were Delta Force / SEAL / Ranger / green beret, nor how many years you spent in any branch of the military or law enforcement. I will still be here. You cannot simply tell me to go away (and, for the record, I spend the vast majority of my time in my pickup where I can see three ranges at once. I do not hover over shooters watching their every move). We are required to introduce ourselves to every shooter and verify they are wearing the wristband color of the day to ensure they paid. And, frankly, two groups of people scare the bejeezus out of me when it comes to firearms: law enforcement and military. Both groups think they know more than they really do. And if you cop an attitude with me about how much experience you have and how you don't want an RSO hanging around, guess which range I'm spending my time on?

 

- DO NOT TOUCH A FIREARM, EVEN TO MERELY ADJUST THE SIGHTS, WHEN THE RANGE IS COLD AND PEOPLE ARE DOWNRANGE!!!! Seriously, how do people not know this (or how do they miss the giant sign on every range)???? This is so basic, anywhere you go, any time, in any shooting discipline, regardless of sanctioning body. Stop. 

 

- ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION!!!! Holy Moses. Seriously. Think.

[Old Man Graybeard]

At one club I belong to...we had a situation where some people ...that should certainly know better...got bored. The weather wasn't cooperating. This range is paper targets ONLY...unless for a specific event with prior approval from the board. Anyway...these people put up a piece of bullet proof glass....just to see if it really was. In the first place...they didn't know about hanging a target like that or steel at a small angle away...they just leaned it against a post. Yep...one of them went to the hospital when the buckshot came back and hit him. Now the member of the club that started the foolishness is barred for a minimum of three years and the rest of the crew is also banned from the range. 

[Subdeacon Joe]

I was taught that upon hearing, "Cease Fire! Clear and bench your weapons!" that you cease fire,  clear and bench your weapon with the action open.  If it has a detachable magazine, it is removed. I've seen too many people argue, "But I have the safety on!" when the RSO walks the line to check clear.

 

Other is a guy on the end of the line,  a few lanes towards the center open, try to go downrange with a hot line to fiddle with his target.  "But Noone was next to me for 3 lanes! I was safe!"

 

My one time not following the Cease Fire! I had just fired my flintlock and had a flash in the pan. I sang out "Belay that! I have a hangfire!" I didn't really know what else to do. That let everyone know that there was a problem and what it was.  RSO looked at her watch,  told me to keep it pointed downrange. After she let a full minute pass, with everyone staring at me, she told me to reprime and try again. Used my vent pick, reprimed,  and fired.

Edited November 19, 2025 by Subdeacon Joe
Otto!!!!

[Blackwater 53393]

I enjoy a good, safe range! I WANT  to know and see the RSO on the range!

 

My biggest beef is when someone insists on bringing unapproved firearms to the range!  I’ve seen people bootleg a full auto rifle onto the range where they knew it was prohibited! This particular place was poorly supervised, although the signage and the forms were plainly informative of the prohibition. It was a state run range that eventually closed because of repeated violations!

 

Sad to say, too many people don’t think that the rules should apply to them!! It often ruins things for everyone else!

[Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428]

I swear, everytime at am at the range during every single line break you can hear the RSO hollering over their loud speaker "do not touch your firearms and get away from the bench".  There is a big yellow line painted on the ground, during the line break you cannot be forward of that line unless you are walking out to change a target.  But every single time some idiot decides to do something at the bench.  Sometimes it is a brain fart like grabbing a staple gun or clean target to put out, but so many times I have seen people grabbing guns.  It is a very simple rule, and one that is stated out loud over the loud speaker at the beginning of every line break...shouldnt be that difficult to follow.

 

I always keep an eye over my shoulder when going out to change a target, and when the yelling starts, I spin around and look for the problem just in case I need to get moving for cover.  Public ranges are fun..... but I've seen issues on private ranges I was invited to by members as well.

 

 

[DukeSoprano]

I have it made! I shoot USPSA and ICORE and I am a Range Officer in both. We have an indoor private club 7 minutes from my house and I bet when we have competitions that 30% of the shooters are ROs. The club is also halfway to work so I can go there during the day for lunch and most of the time there is no one there. Before I joined this club, I went to a range at a gun store and there were guys standing up against a wall having their picture taken while they were holding and AR-15............that was the last time I went there!  

[Subdeacon Joe]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 said:

and when the yelling starts, I spin around and look for the problem just in case I need to get moving for cover. 

 

What kind of range do you go to that even has concealment, much less cover, between the line and the targets? ( me trying to picture 3 foot high mini-berms every 20 yards or so in front of the line)(actually, something like that isn't a bad idea in some places)

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

If wildlife show up downrange CEASEFIRE?

[Eyesa Horg]

Sounds like shooters understanding "Cold Range" and criminals understanding "Stop" are similar.

With the exception of Cowboy, I can't remember the last time I shot a public range!

[Cypress Sun]

I also am a RSO at a local range that is open to the public. Due to our close proximity to a busy International Airport, our rules are pretty strict. No rapid fire, no full auto. all centerfire rifles must be shot from the bench on bags/rests and a few other requirements. We always have two RSOs on duty on the public line during operating hours. During a cold range, chamber flags are required with no exceptions and everyone MUST stand behind the yellow line plainly painted on the concrete pad unless they are maintaining/changing a target. Paper targets are the only permissible targets allowed.

 

I am required to work 8 - 4 hour shifts per year to maintain RSO status which enables me to shoot on the parts of the range that are not open to the public and also a $50 reduction in annual dues. I almost always witness someone doing something stupid, either by ignorance, stupidity or just because they thought they could "get away with it". After nearly every one of eight shifts, I consider myself fortunate that I didn't get injured by careless violations of basic gun safety observed during the course of the four hour day.

 

I refuse to work any shift on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Like Cyrus mentioned, the worst ones to deal with are present/retired military and/or law enforcement as far as gun safety and attitude goes. A couple more types I dislike dealing with is Mr. I Just Bought It At A Gunshow, Mr. I Work In A Gunstore and MR. I've Seen Every John Wick Movie Available. None of them can usually find their hands if they sat on them and are clueless when it comes to gun safety.

 

Over the years, I've seen so much stupid and careless acts of gun handling both during hot and cold sessions. I take gun safety VERY SERIOUSLY. I will only issue one warning for a minor infraction and will kick their ass out of the range for a serious infraction. Both the local Police Department and Sheriffs Office use the range and their numbers are programmed into my phone and the range land line. They will respond within a minute if called, I haven't had to call them yet but others have.

 

I always work with the same RSO as we are friends and make sure that we sign up for the same 8 days each year. We sign up a year in advance. I've often thought about relinquishing the RSO status but I haven't because I can't let my fellow RSO down but I'll tell you...it gets harder and harder every year to not just quit.

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

I'm lucky. I belong to two private membership ranges. They are not crowded. I can always have an entire pistol bay to myself. I have my own target stands and various steel to set up.They are not fancy clubs by any means. The only complaints I've heard are that at one of the clubs they have to occasionally warn people to slow down driving in. My wife and I did go meet my daughter and son in law to shoot at a public blm shooting area free for all. She now appreciates our ranges even more now.

[Chantry]

I become loud when safety is involved and to some people's regrets, am perfectly willing  to call a stage DQ.  People using the cross draw are often the worst offenders I see at a SASS match.  I also see it at plate matches open to the public where I often RO.

[Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428]

16 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

What kind of range do you go to that even has concealment,

There is no cover short of running to the side of the range (or the back if that is closer) and going over the berm.  I dont expect this to ever be necessary, but I always turn to see where on the range the yelling is coming from and what is happening.

[Subdeacon Joe]

3 minutes ago, Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 said:

There is no cover short of running to the side of the range (or the back if that is closer) and going over the berm.  I dont expect this to ever be necessary, but I always turn to see where on the range the yelling is coming from and what is happening.

 

Thanks. That's what I thought,  but the way you stated it made it sound like there was something directly downrange that you could shelter behind.