It's me again. The "Rule Nazi".
So I was at the range on Tuesday. A couple of guys show up and test their skills at drawing from concealment. They had a timer and were finding out how their carry choices worked. That's all good. After shooting, they asked if the range could go cold so they could scrounge for their brass. I already had the magazine removed, gun laying port side up, with slide locked back, and I also needed to grab some brass forward of the firing line so I agreed with a verbal "Range is Cold".
As I was standing forward of the firing line looking for brass I look up and see one of the guys holding his gun, doing...whatever. I immediately stepped back behind the line and asked them if the range was still cold. He replied in the affirmative and put the gun down, so I stepped forward of the line again. Ok...people forget. And even I, the rule nazi, have goofed up. No big deal. The next thing I see when I look up is them grabbing their gun cases and walking to their vehicle. So the gun had to be handled at some point since it didn't get in the case all by itself. The only possible explanation is that when he set it down, it was in the case so no further handling was necessary. Though I don't believe it was in its case when he set it down.
They were walking away so I didn't say anything, but if they did not leave I would have politely reminded them that a "Cold" range means NO ONE handles their firearm. I guess some people missed that during basic range etiquette not to mention the range orientation discussion of the safety rules.
If that was you at the range, could you please not do that again? I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
Fly