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Would love to hear some feed back on this: I went to the Texas City Gun Range and as i approached the door I will admit they have a sign stating all guns must be unloaded and open before entering building. I like a dummy went on in with both my Kimbers concealed in my range bag. The gentleman at the desk ask if he could he and i told him i was there to meet someone specific and he asked where my weapons were> I told him they were in my range bag and he less than politley asked me to go out side and clear, open and display my weapons. He then proceeded to follow me out to check my weapons just as i was unloading my personal carry gun. He the threw a fit because it was loaded. He then told me that normally I would be sent home for this and not allowed to shoot but we were allowed to after a interesting conversation. I remained very calm and accomidating through the whole episode.
1. This is city owned property so thus it can not be posted.
2. There was no verbal or written warning that I could not carry.
3. Signs do say that guns are to be clear and checked (so does Bass Pro Shop!!)
So here is my question: As a CHL Holder should I not have the right to enter the premises concealed and go to the range and then make ready at the line?

I do understand their concern for saftey and liability reasons but this pretty negates a CHL holders rights or does it ??

I shoot there often.
Yes you have a right to carry in there concealed. Concealed means concealed. That means if you are wearing a loaded weapon you do not expose it even at the range. you keep it hidden and you do not have to mention it, when you sign in.

You also have a choice to fire your carry gun, to do this you must un load and make the gun safe before entering the building.

They do not allow drawing, or rapid fire from the firing line.

That rule is the exact opposite of the ranges I frequent. At Bullet Trap, for instance, they would have a fit if you walked in there with your weapon out...loaded or unloaded. They also have a rule about not drawing from the holster to fire, but I have often taken my handgun out of my concealed carry holster, set it down and then practice with it. I then reload it and put it back in my holster, pull my shirt over it and leave.

The rule at Texas City gun range just begs to have someone accidentally fire off a round while they are standing outside trying to unload and display their weapons as "open". To be enforced the rule sounds like a person would be required to pull out their handguns at the counter to show they are unloaded. It seems safer to me to just make people keep them put away until on the firing line. less chance of an accidental discharge in the store area.

I got the same terse treatment at Texas City range and I've seen others get it there and at Clear Creek as well. I was surprised when I went to Marksman this weekend and saw the signs on the front doors that said "all guns must be unloaded and actions open, CHL holders are exempt". Just in case (I don't want to get yelled at again ) I took mine out of the bag, opened up the actions and walked in. I asked the guy behind the counter about the "proper" procedure and he told me I could have left them in my range bag as long as they were unloaded and open. Also, CHL'ers can have their carry piece on them and loaded as long as its holstered. I appreciated that.

03Lightningrocks wrote:That rule is the exact opposite of the ranges I frequent. At Bullet Trap, for instance, they would have a fit if you walked in there with your weapon out...loaded or unloaded. They also have a rule about not drawing from the holster to fire, but I have often taken my handgun out of my concealed carry holster, set it down and then practice with it. I then reload it and put it back in my holster, pull my shirt over it and leave.

The rule at Texas City gun range just begs to have someone accidentally fire off a round while they are standing outside trying to unload and display their weapons as "open". To be enforced the rule sounds like a person would be required to pull out their handguns at the counter to show they are unloaded. It seems safer to me to just make people keep them put away until on the firing line. less chance of an accidental discharge in the store area.

At Texas City, They have us open the slide on the porch, while pointing the gun towards the parking lot away from the building. You enter the building and leave the guns on another bench inside the building. One would keep the guns facing towards the parking lot and away from the employees. Once you check in and pay for each gun, the shooter then steps out to the other side to walk down to the range. One of the reasons I believe they want to see what guns you are firing is that they get paid per gun.

I always reload my concealed carry gun before I get into my car. A lot of people go through this range and I haven't heard about any accidents, so whether we like the rules or not they do seem to work. This is a public municipal range, which to me makes it a special place to me. even if I do find some of the rules a little restrictive.

As I said before, I don't see any reason why one has too expose their concealed weapon if they don't intend to be shooting it.

Liberty wrote: One of the reasons I believe they want to see what guns you are firing is that they get paid per gun.

Now that does make sense. I thank my lucky stars the two places I shoot, have not moved towards charging per gun. It would wipe me out. They charge a flat rate for how ever long you want to shoot. It is ten at one place and 7 or 8 at the other. You fellers make me feel lucky . I take as many as 4 or 5 guns to the range at times.

Liberty wrote:I always reload my concealed carry gun before I get into my car. A lot of people go through this range and I haven't heard about any accidents, so whether we like the rules or not they do seem to work. This is a public municipal range, which to me makes it a special place to me. even if I do find some of the rules a little restrictive.

As I said before, I don't see any reason why one has too expose their concealed weapon if they don't intend to be shooting it.

That is what counts. No accidents is a good thing. Every range seems to have it's own quirky rules. It makes shooting at a range one is not familiar with somewhat exhilarating . Nothing makes a person feel special like being scolded by a fellow adult for breaking some rule one didn't know existed.

I haven't had much experience with formal gun ranges. Before I moved to Texas I went to one of several sand pits to shoot. The army was the opposite. The told us and controlled every shot we made.

The first time I went to the Texas City Range. I had no idea on what to expect. The people there explained the rules, which are pretty simple. They have always shown respect and have been polite. I only take 2 or 3 guns at a time, but I do get an over 55 senior rate. 3 dollars a gun. for seniors and TC residents.. 6 for others.

I shoot at Pasadena Gun Center and have never had a any problems. I carry a bag of firearms in, and one on my person. They never ask anything except what the largest caliber I'll be shooting is. And they only do that if they have a lot of lanes open, since they might put you further down the line if your shooting something rather large. Sometimes I'll shoot my carry guy, after I take it out of the holster, unload, clear it and reload. And it's $7.50 per person for as long as you want to shoot. Only problem is it's indoors only out to 25 yards.

Personally, if I went anywhere that made me have to open and clear all firearms before entering the building, I probably wouldn't go back there. Only reason I would, is if it was the only place close by to shoot.

I pay by the year at the Texas City range. There is not a charge by the gun with pay by the year. I find the rules are not restrictive. These folks just run a safe show.

I shoot at Texas City range . The rule are strict but safe. I have seen people with no idea of safe use of weopons at other range , requiring me to leave. I have seen youths that required the rules explained and closely observed by range personelof Texas City . On the weekend there is over 30 people shoot at a time. Strict and organized is good for me.
Why do I need a concealed weopon when shooting a Marlin 1895 .45-70 gov in my hand? When I am in the building and on the range rules arethe rules. At the parking lot table then it is conceal and carry.

NORMAN wrote:1. This is city owned property so thus it can not be posted.
2. There was no verbal or written warning that I could not carry.
3. Signs do say that guns are to be clear and checked (so does Bass Pro Shop!!)
So here is my question: As a CHL Holder should I not have the right to enter the premises concealed and go to the range and then make ready at the line?
I do understand their concern for saftey and liability reasons but this pretty negates a CHL holders rights or does it ??

There are at least 3 signs posted between the road and the front door that state that ALL firearms are to be out, open, and unloaded upon entering the building (at least one of them large enough to stop a truck in its path). They are not really concerned as to whether or not you have a CHL, they are worried about safety and making sure no-one gets injured. The manager completely freaks everytime he "clears" a round after someone enters the building - I suppose people are blind or think that the signs everywhere are for someone else. Those are the rules of the range.
Besides, if you are carrying, shouldn't the handgun you have concealed remain comcealed if you are using your CHL to carry it? If not, what's the big deal about having to follow the rules and have it out, locked open, and empty. I couldn't imagine anyone walking into any range, up to the line, and whipping out their pistol to shoot with the owners first knowledge of it when the person hits the line. Seems there would be many safety issues with that. I have been to some of the ranges that allow loaded weapons to be carried freely around inside the range area - sorry, I don't feel too safe in that situation.
I've been a member of Texas City's range for about 8 or 9 years now. I find it refreshing that I really don't have to worry about being shot - it is by far the safest range I have been to in the Houston/SE Texas area and I'm ok with that. I'll also continue driving the 45 minutes for that level of safety.