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It's easy to become a bit lax with gun handling when informally shooting alone or with a friend in a more-or-less private setting. Even so, the cardinal rules around muzzle control and trigger control never cease being rules to adhere to. It is essential that all the rules are understood and adhered to when on a public range, and anyone instructing others in the shooting sports -- in any setting -- owes it to themselves and all attendees to conduct a safety briefing before guns are loaded and live fire activities begin. The safety briefing should include discussion of the three NRA rules (or four Col. Cooper rules) and their application on that range that day, range facilities and proper use (safe area, restrooms, etc...), course(s) of fire and whether the range will be run as a "Hot" or "Cold" range that day and what that means, typical range commands that will be employed, expected actions for ALL participants when cease fire is called and who can call a cease fire (anyone, at any time), as well as assignments and procedures in case of emergency. Potential issues are minimized when we we all operate under the same set of expectations.

I agree with the OP that immediate danger was present in the form of a handgun in an unknown condition being present in someone's hands behind the firing line. This was amplified by the user showing poor muzzle discipline. The immediate danger could have been to the OP, the OP's family, other shooters on the line, or anyone in the near vicinity. The person with the handgun clearly could have pointed it in any direction and seemingly did not know or care about keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. As such, I feel that the OP's actions were appropriate to the situation, and are no different than what any responsible person should do. Relieving someone of their gun, or exerting control of it beyond their control, is indeed risky. It is more risky to ignore or attempt slow resolution of a condition that could be immediately life-threatening to someone.