I tend to be biased towards legal carry in any but prohibited situations and even then, I like to hear and present arguments for allowing legal carry in all instances.
Several ranges in the area have rules against the general public from openly carrying while participating on the public shooting range. Some even go so far as to restrict Range Officers from openly carrying while serving on the public range.
A recent incident has brought to light a number of arguments for and against such practice by an on duty RO on a range that restricts open carry by anyone on the public range. The obvious argument is that such carry is against the range rules. Other arguments have included the safety ramifications of openly carrying, the influence of patrons, especially those that are of the "monkey see - monkey do" crowd.
The solution is for the ROs that wish to open carry to present an argument for open carry by ROs while on duty, to the appropriate decision makers on the Boards or Executive Committees of the subject ranges.
I've seen similar practices at Lee Kay, Bountiful, Cache Valley and Wahsatch.
What would your arguments be, either for or against an on duty RO openly carrying on the public range?
This is by far not just a WSA thing. Most Range rules I have read are very similar and most do not specify OC or CC just say all firearms must be cased or carried with action open and muzzle up. Unofficially most do not enforce anything with regards to CC. I don't own an arsenal so if I go to the range my gun is holstered on my hip. I have spoken to personnel as several ranges and never had any problems with taking my gun into the range this way. The way I figure the range is the safest location for me to remove my gun and unload my SD rounds so I can load target rounds. Much better than trying to do it in the car then carry the empty gun in.
I make no attempt to opine at any range other than Lee Kay. Recently, due to updates from the legal folks, open carry by patrons of Lee Kay is allowed. This overturns 35 years of policy, but as one of their long time R$O's, I don't have a personal problem with it. You still can't draw or unholster during a cease fire. As to our RSO's open carrying, there are state policies to comply with. Concealed is fine, but to open carry, one must be a POST graduate while in state uniform.
As to our RSO's open carrying, there are state policies to comply with. Concealed is fine, but to open carry, one must be a POST graduate while in state uniform.
As to our RSO's open carrying, there are state policies to comply with. Concealed is fine, but to open carry, one must be a POST graduate while in state uniform.
State policies regarding firearms cannot conflict with State preemption law. Has the legislature delegated to Lee Kay the authority to regulate the open carrying of firearms by their employees? If so, where is that delegation found?
We've all kind of turned a blind eye to school district policies that require employees to keep firearms concealed. I believe those policies are also against State law but:
1-I don't think I can win that battle politically;
2-I've got higher priorities;
3-I'm not convinced that requiring teachers to keep guns concealed in a classroom setting is a terrible idea.
But RSOs at a State funded range? That is a little different story than a high school math teacher.
Open Carry-
We are changing the RO handbook to make it legal for Range Officers to open carry their handgun on the public range. If you are carrying, please use a holster that has positive retention. We do not want any firearms hitting the ground while you are on duty.
The public is still under the same policy of no open carry. If someone arrives with a handgun openly displayed on them, ask them to remove it, and place it on the table. If this is during a cease fire, please wait until after the range is hot before asking them to do this.
Law Enforcement is an exception if they are displaying a badge.
We've all kind of turned a blind eye to school district policies that require employees to keep firearms concealed. I believe those policies are also against State law but:
1-I don't think I can win that battle politically;
2-I've got higher priorities;
3-I'm not convinced that requiring teachers to keep guns concealed in a classroom setting is a terrible idea.
I work for the Alpine school district. Since I am 19, I am carrying under the authority of a Maine permit. Therefore, I cannot carry at work, per Federal law. However, if I were to be allowed to carry, I would conceal 100% of the time. Whereas, I have no problem OC'ing, CC'ing, or CCC'ing anywhere else, I do think concealed is probably best by school employees.
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