My range installed a gate and lock recently in an attempt to deter non-members from coming onto the property.
Some of these folks get down-right ugly when asked for their member cards and some vandalism has also been happening.
It was getting so bad that an outside phone was installed to call the police. Cell service is non-existent there.

Our rifle range is surrounded by woods.
It would be easy for someone to lay in wait with whatever tools they need to execute a theft while someone is checking targets.

I'll often take two rifles to the range when working up varmint loads.
When I do have to walk to the targets, both rifles go with me.
Its a darn shame that you always have to be on your guard but in our situation and with this economic climate where any firearm can be sold for drug money, I'm not taking the risk.
And, I usually have a 1911 under my shirt.

Oh yeah, I do not give loaded firearms to strangers. And if someone does get to handle one of my rifles, I stay well within reaching distance.

Skeet knows where I live.
We've had some home robberies again around our home.
When I go out the door in the morning I always scan my environment for anything unusual.

Sure someone could get into my home and take guns but I'm not going to make it easy for them.

Adam, almost came up to your neck of the woods today to pick up some beehives. You're about 4 hours from me.
Allen

Skinny Shooter,

At that Massachusetts club, we had an 8-foot chain link fence around the perimeter and an 8-foot gate on the road into the club. The club rules mandate: "Locking the gate after entry or exiting." With 300 members, we always had a few that did not close and lock the gate.

I usually just have the M1911 on me when I go down range to patch targets. I remove the bolts on the bolt guns at the bench and maintain situational awareness if anyone drives into the parking lot or approaches my bench. Even the dullest bad guy knows gun clubs are fine places to acquire guns.

The next time you are up this way, send me a PM and I will vector you in.

Adam

scalerman,

Since you are not aware of gun thefts from gun clubs in all of Canada, you seem to be lulled into a false sense of security about your club. That is fine by me if it works for you.

Adam

You know Allen.. Where i lived in Md is having a real spate of breakins. even had a guy woken up at night with a gun to his head..Robbed him without shooting.. But you have brought up a good point. With economics as they are..more people are looking for easy marks. And i guess gun clubs are an easy place to look. I never give ANYONE a loaded gun..of any kind..and I always know where that gun is looking.. There is very little crime such as you have in your area. I thought where you lived was a bit less worrisome on crime..I know where I lived in Md was..but there is no police presense in Md and the state does not allow concealed carry..for the average guy or gal anyway. Here in Wyoming we can carry with no permit..as they call it Constitutional carry but they also have a permit system in place too..for use in other states that accept Wyoming permits. I carry very seldom..but always have a 45 auto in the car when returning home. I live at the end of a road near nowhere. Police when called will usually be 20 minutes or more...and we do have a few idiots.. What Adam said about removing the bolt(if possible) is one thing I usually do..but quite often when at the rifle range rather than the shotgun venues..I prefer to not go alone. But for most of my sighting in etc I do it on my home range. I have more than 500 yds If I choose to use that much distance...and being the lazy sort..I ride the 4 wheeler for the 200 yd plus shooting..so I carry the gun...just in case i happen to see a w...er coyote! Y'all be careful. My daughter lives on a farm also and has either a shotgun or a 9mm with her at all times. The Eastern Shore is not a safe place anymore..Even considering selling the small farm I have left there..

We always think we are safe from "big city" problems in Wyoming. Last spring during a collegiate trap shoot a gun was taken from the rack during the shoot. The parking lot was blocked and a search was on. The shotgun was recovered from a vehicle from a neighboring state. The vehicle owner did know that one of his passngers placed something in the car. During questioning the truth came out and one of the contestants tried to steal the gun. He did not get a ride back home and had to have his parents come to Wyoming to get him. I don't know how the total problem was resolved.

Adam are you aware of any thefts from gun clubs in Canada?

scalerman,

Check with your law enforcement people in Canada for that answer. I "Suspect" theft of guns is a problem in EVERY nation, especially in those that have tight gun controls. Prove me wrong!

Adam

As a kid growing up (back in the 70's), my next door neighbor was an informal target shooter...he had a couple of .30-06 bolt action rifles he liked to go and punch paper with. There was an outdoor range about 30 minutes from the house, and he shot there often. A public range, run by private individuals. Anyway,....... one day, shortly before deer season (when everyone decides it is time to sight in their rifles), a heroin addict decided to break into cars and steal some goods to finance a fix. Problem was, the parking area was right, and I mean RIGHT behind the shooting benches....about 10 feet away and separated only by a snow fence! One shooter saw what this individual was doing, and he immediately had about 20 rifles pointed at him! Even though he was an addict, he wasn't that high......he quickly stopped what he was doing and put his hands up!

Now that is a really neat story.....Duh think I'll steal me some guns...UHOH..maybe not!! ..Gotta love it. hahahahahah

skeet,

Ya better go to Canada where NO ONE steals guns from shooting benches. LOL! I think I will email the RCMP and inquire about gun range gun thefts to educate some Canucks.

Adam

Adam..the only gun i had stolen at a range was in... TaDa..Pennsylvania.. I did get it back though..at a very prestigious range too. Yep it can happen anywhere. I had one stolen once by a family member.. Cost them dearly..with the police the courts and forever afterwards with me..and some of the family thought I should just accept the gun back and forget it.. I did NOT...and would not. As far as Canada..give it a break..LOL

This is a good post. It had gotten the attention of some and me especially...lesson learned. Never leave guns laying on bench while walking down range. Buddy system works for me if one goes with you. If not, maybe the cable lock to the bench would be next alternative. Sort of like shooting up a school...well they know nobody will be shooting back because no guns. So that is the place to go. Looking for a free gun? Gunrange. Oh and my dad taught me way back at turkey shoots, not to place shotgun in the holding racks. That tells me this problem has been going on for years. But thanks for heads up on subject. I sure will pass it on.

I agree that the buddy system is the best.

If I am at a shoot and want to put my gun in a gun rack, I always look to see if there is a place to sit where I can keep an eye on the gun. If not, the gun doesn't go in the rack. If I can keep an eye on it I always feel like I have baited the trap and will see if there are any skunks present.

I walked off of a gun range at one point because the range officer demanded we leave our guns at the bench while hanging targets. This was also when he was taking his 15 minute break..... I told him no way in heck, he told me it was his way or the highway so I packed up my gear, went into the facility and got my range fees back and left. That afternoon two people had their guns stolen while the range officer was on break.

GoodOlBoy