Public ranges and other scary places.

[Finster]

Been going down to the public range in Wexford at the state gamelands lately. It has been a few years since I have used it. Although it is much better than it was in the 80's (at least it's not over run with gang members anymore) It is still a very dangerous and scary place. There must have been 40 shooters there at least. I would yell, "clear" and be able to hear crickets with 40 people staring at me like deer in the headlights!!!! Not one clear back!!!! This happened several times. Another thing is that (when it does happen) people just yell clear. Not clear to approach, clear to fire, ready on right, ready on left, none of this!!! If you are going to a range people should at least know a little something about basic range procedure and safety. Quite a few times, there were also shots fired after a clear!!!! Unbelievable!!!!! I'm not even going to bring up all of the unsafe handling practices I saw. Needless to say, there is never any range master. After talking with a few old timers as the scary day progressed, I have found that several of the regulars have qualls to be a range master and have even asked if they could be when there and were denied! This would not cost the Game Commission a dime, why were they denied? For that matter, there are plenty of deputy game officers out there. Why don't they be a range master once in awhile? Someone is eventually going to be shot or killed in one of these places. Then what? They will probably close them all down for liabilty reasons and everyone is screwed. If the commission does not have the money, bump up hunting licences 50 cents or something (they do it for everything else) and pay someone to be range master! I will be joining a gun club in the very near future for my own health and safety!

[Yoder]

The Game Wardens don't give two shits about your safety at the range. The only thing they are concerned with is collecting their fine money for loading more than 6 in a pistol and three in a rife.

[orionz06]

The Game Wardens don't give two shits about your safety at the range. The only thing they are concerned with is collecting their fine money for loading more than 6 in a pistol and three in a rife.

That is all they do. The one guy that was there was very proud of the signs he had made... So proud basic safety concerns were not important.

[KPShooting]

I've been there one time and will never go back. If it's not the unsafe, inconsiderate assholes (at least give me a heads up if you're going to pepper me and my girlfriend with your hot brass!), it's the game wardens obviously cruising the parking lots looking for people they can follow to the line and fine.

That one experience and reading about that guy getting murdered at a SGL was all it took for me to join a gun club.

[JayBell]

its not the Fishcops job to be a range master, its YOURS!

part of the regs for PAGC ranges is that if there is no range officer currently "officiating" someone needs to volunteer to be the RO.

do, people, get off your asses and step up when you have to.

[YosemiteSam]

its not the Fishcops job to be a range master, its YOURS!

part of the regs for PAGC ranges is that if there is no range officer currently "officiating" someone needs to volunteer to be the RO.

do, people, get off your asses and step up when you have to.

This subchapter cited in 58 Pa. Code § 135.41 (relating to State Game Lands).

§ 135.181. Rifle and handgun ranges.
(a) General provisions. In addition to § 135.2 (relating to unlawful actions) and except as provided in § 135.182 (relating to Ranges, State Game Lands No. 176), the following pertain to lands under Commission ownership, lease or jurisdiction, designated as rifle or handgun ranges:

(1) Rifle and handgun ranges are open from 8 a.m., prevailing time, until sunset Monday through Saturday and from 12 noon to sunset Sundays, unless otherwise posted; except the Sunday immediately preceding the regular antlered and antlerless deer seasons and the regular bear season, when the hours are 8 a.m. to sunset.

(2) A range may be reserved for exclusive use by an organized group from January 1 through October 1. An organized group desiring to reserve the range shall make necessary arrangements through the appropriate regional director or a designee at least 20 days in advance.

(3) An individual may not use the range when in use on days when it is reserved by an organized group.

(4) An individual or an organized group using the range is responsible for keeping the area clean and free of debris, and may not discard, deposit, leave or throw litter except in approved refuse containers. Range users shall remove targets from range backboards when shooting is completed and prior to leaving the range.

(5) The Commission is not responsible for anyone injured on the range. An individual using Commission owned ranges does so at his own risk and assumes all responsibility for injuries to a person or property caused by or to him.

(6) When more than one person is using the range, a range officer shall be designated.

(7) An individual under 16 years of age may not use the range unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older.

(8) The appropriate regional director or designee may close a range by posting signs to that effect.

(b) Prohibited acts. At a rifle and handgun range located on land under Commission ownership, lease or jurisdiction, except when authorized by the appropriate regional director or a designee for military or law enforcement training, it is unlawful to:

(1) Possess a loaded firearm, except at an established shooting station on the firing line.

(2) Discharge a firearm, except from an established shooting station on the firing line at a paper target placed on a permanent target backboard.

(3) Discharge armor piercing, incendiary, explosive, tracer or multiple projectile ammunition.

(4) Be intoxicated, use or possess an intoxicating beverage or controlled substance on the range.

(5) Possess an automatic weapon.

(6) Possess, load or discharge a firearm that contains more than three rounds of single projectile ammunition, except as provided in subsection (c).

(7) Shoot clay birds anywhere except areas designated by the Director by signs stating that clay bird shooting is permitted.

(c) Exceptions for a handgun range. At a Commission range specifically designated as a handgun range, it is permitted for an individual to load and discharge a handgun containing a maximum of six rounds of single projectile ammunition at any one time. Other rules and regulations pertaining to shooting ranges under Commission ownership, lease or jurisdiction shall be in effect.



Authority

The provisions of this § 135.181 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § § 721(a) and 2102(a).



Source

The provisions of this § 135.181 adopted June 19, 1987, effective July 1, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 2464; amended December 1, 1995, effective January 7, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 5508; amended March 23, 2007, effective March 24, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1309. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (290787) to (290788).

[PANRA]

If you see someone at a PGC range doing something wrong take down there information (License plate number, vehicle description, description of persons and weapons involved, date, time, location and nature of the incident) and call the Game Commission 1-888-PGC-8001 to let them know. A Wildlife Conservation Officer will be glad to check into it!

[Michele]

its not the Fishcops job to be a range master, its YOURS!

part of the regs for PAGC ranges is that if there is no range officer currently "officiating" someone needs to volunteer to be the RO.

do, people, get off your asses and step up when you have to.

^^ Agreed, big time! ^^

It really simple. If you're not comfortable (insert any place on the planet here) just leave.

As far as being peppered, well, yes, its very inconsiderate, however smarts trumps inconsideration every time, just move away.

Funny how, everyone watches their own asses all day, every day, personal safety, right? Go to the SGL and expect someone else to watch your ass?

[PaBimmerGuy]

clear? what does clear mean? command should be unambigous.

cease fire. make the line safe. step back. the line is safe. go foward. the line is now hot. resume firing.

the few times that ive shot at public ranges cease fires were scheduled and announced in advance.

since there is no training requirement to buy a gun people just buy them and think that they know about guns because they watched clint eastwood movies. they show up at the range and have no idea what they are doing. if noone is there to rain them in theyll just go wild and do stupid things. just watch youtube.

[Mity2]

The Game Wardens don't give two shits about your safety at the range. The only thing they are concerned with is collecting their fine money for loading more than 6 in a pistol and three in a rife.

Ain't that the truth(although, I was given only a worning years ago)!

I haven't been to range when there are that many shooters at the range. But if I ever go, and seen that many people there, I'd leave. too many people. too many chances.
Thats why I generaly sit out during week before/during hunting season.

Remenber, a person can be smart, but people are dumb.