Concealed Carry to Shooting Range?

[joepa150]

I know it probably depends on the actual shooting range but do most indoor shooting ranges care if you carry to going into the range?

Should I keep it unloaded and in my holster or loaded in my holster?

Or should I just keep it in my gun case.

Sorry but I am new to carrying and I just never new what was the proper range rule/etiquette.

Also do indoor ranges usually allow you to practice drawing and shooting?

Sorry for the noob type questions.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[bstrawse]

Most of this totally depends on your range.

The range that I generally shoot at I carry (IWB) headed there, then unholster at the firing line (if I'm shooting that weapon) under their range rules.

they don't allow drawing / shooting from holster though
b

[retsupt99]

This depends entirely upon the range, but in FL, signs mean nothing and concealed is concealed. If you're not shooting your CC gun who would know?
Our private range has a sand pit next to each range for safely taking a gun out of CC carry for use on the range. If the gun is not used, just keep it concealed...fair rules that allow for the safety of all.

[Joeface]

The indoor ranges near me want to check your firearm and your ammo. They want no loaded firearm in the showroom. I am sure it varies with ranges.

[Anubis]

Also do indoor ranges usually allow you to practice drawing and shooting?

No.

[9MMare]

I joined the range's action shooting/IDPA club and practice with them...I get all kinds of help with drawing, moving and shooting, positioning behind barricades, reloading on the move, etc. People at our club are friendly and will tell you about their holster and gun and their techniques. A good range officer will help you with safe drawing techniques, etc.

And at our range it's cheap...$10 per practice.

[dukalmighty]

Depends on the range,but I keep a concealed gun on me at all times and shoot the guns I took to the range,if you only have 1 handgun then you don't have that option

[chiefjason]

If I OC to the range I'll open the action and remove the mag. They have a sign to do so, and the gun is visible, so I oblige. Per the RSO, if they know you have a CCP you can carry in. And they let you work from a holster too. Find a range and ask them all those questions. The answer may also change the more you go, once they know you can actually handle a firearm.

[Avenger]

The range I work at the most is a no carry range. This means that if you walk through the big glass doors with the huge red signs that say "NO CARRYING OF CONCEALED LOADED WEAPONS INSIDE RANGE" (The smaller print states that firearms must be in a case too) with a concealed firearm and I catch you, its going to be a bad day. ( I carry inside the range, but I have special privileges, hehe) However, this rule is strictly enforced, there are others that get side stepped some times. For instance, if you are just a customer off the street wanting to shoot your firearm at my range, you will NOT fire from a holster. I will escort you out of the building! Now, if you sign up for one of my classes that I teach that is stated you will be firing from the holster, this rule can be broken. Well, modified. Its after hours, you sign a few wavers mainly saying you wont sue me or the range for damages to you, your property, and you are responsible for any damages you do to the range. You do dry fire until I feel you are ready to go live. I WATCH YOU LIKE A HAWK and its under very controlled environments. I wont do more than 4 students at one time while this class is taught, or for any class for that matter. Point shooting is more one on one.

So, talk to your instructor and see if his rules can be broken... well.... modified under special circumstances.

[Ram Rod]

The indoor ranges near me want to check your firearm and your ammo. They want no loaded firearm in the showroom. I am sure it varies with ranges.

Same here for the most part. Plain and simple........I never mess around with my carry pistol in public no matter what! If I am going to an indoor range, I will carry as normal and carry a pistol I am NOT going to shoot at the range. If I am going to shoot my EDC pistol, I choose an alternative carry pistol to carry, and take my normal EDC pistol to shoot. Make sense? There are only a few instances when your carry pistol should leave your holster......and at the indoor range or most public ranges is not one of them in my opinion. Now if you're going to a private range where you are allowed practice that includes drawing from your holster or concealment....that's different, but should still be done discretely.

[BikerRN]

I've pretty much all but stopped shooting at public ranges.

I go out in the boonies. That allows me to work on the things I need to work on, and nobody telling me if I can draw from the holster or shoot and scoot.

When I'm out there I have at least one loaded firearm on my person, besides the one I'm shooting, and a rifle handy too. I also don't shoot alone. I bring a friend or two along for the fun.

What soured me on the local indoor range was an idiot kid who didn't know the proper way to unload a revolver. He seemed to think that because I opened the cylinder and pointed the muzzle straight up in the air that I was committing a safety violation. Sorry PUNK, but that is the proven, tried and true way of unloading a revolver under stress. No amount of cordial conversation would convince him otherwise. Therefore I no longer give them my money.

If the method I use is a safety violation I highly doubt that LFI or Thunder Ranch would teach it.

Biker

[glock27mark]

The indoor ranges near me want to check your firearm and your ammo. They want no loaded firearm in the showroom. I am sure it varies with ranges.

the few ranges near me are that way also. no ccw in the store section.
yep, depends on the store/range. that's one reason i like heading out
to some of the state game area's around me. (do as you please)
within reason.

[joepa150]

The range I work at the most is a no carry range. This means that if you walk through the big glass doors with the huge red signs that say "NO CARRYING OF CONCEALED LOADED WEAPONS INSIDE RANGE" (The smaller print states that firearms must be in a case too) with a concealed firearm and I catch you, its going to be a bad day. ( I carry inside the range, but I have special privileges, hehe) However, this rule is strictly enforced, there are others that get side stepped some times. For instance, if you are just a customer off the street wanting to shoot your firearm at my range, you will NOT fire from a holster. I will escort you out of the building! Now, if you sign up for one of my classes that I teach that is stated you will be firing from the holster, this rule can be broken. Well, modified. Its after hours, you sign a few wavers mainly saying you wont sue me or the range for damages to you, your property, and you are responsible for any damages you do to the range. You do dry fire until I feel you are ready to go live. I WATCH YOU LIKE A HAWK and its under very controlled environments. I wont do more than 4 students at one time while this class is taught, or for any class for that matter. Point shooting is more one on one.

So, talk to your instructor and see if his rules can be broken... well.... modified under special circumstances.

So would it be a bad day if I walked in OWB and I didn't realize that it needed to be in a case? And who would it be a bad day for

the few ranges near me are that way also. no ccw in the store section.
yep, depends on the store/range. that's one reason i like heading out
to some of the state game area's around me. (do as you please)
within reason.

Yea if state game lands were close to me I would do the same.

[jem102]

I guess it would depend on how the range was set up. The ones I use there is no way to safely draw within the confines of your stall so common sense says not to do it. I do however carry to and from IWB cocked and locked. They know me as regular customer that is safe and never a word passes as in the summer the grip is obvious above the belt line. Someone unknown may be questioned don't know. I think if you come in carrying they assume/believe you have reasonable experience with the pistol and as long as you show discretion and safe handling on the line...no problem.

[archer51]

Each range sits their own policy.

The range I belong to has the policy of no loaded weapons off the shooting line. Before I joined I asked if that applied to CC weapons and was told "No, only to the weapons being shot".

I believe most public ranges don't allow drawing and shooting.