Body armor at the range

[The Just]

Went to the public range today in Northern Idaho w my nephew & GF. Wore my soft armor over my shirt. Went to the 100 range for Saturday plinking.

A RSO teaching a conceal carry class bumbled through the bench area as we were setting up. He called me aside to chat. He said why are you wearing body armor? I said, becaus I'm training and we're at a gun range? Is it not okay? He said they like to keep things "family friendly", they don't want anyone to be intimidating he also asked if I was police or military. He said he was for 35 years and had to wear body armor, but doesn't now.

Is body armor not family friendly? Should you not wear your vest to the range? If not, where should you wear it?

Am I doing this wrong? Or did I just encounter a range Karen? never had a problem / question at other ranges.

- Internet Operator

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[Knobgoblin]

Excuse me sir, mind answering a couple questions?

 

[American123]

Went to the public range today in Northern Idaho w my nephew & GF. Wore my soft armor over my shirt. Went to the 100 range for Saturday plinking.

A RSO teaching a conceal carry class bumbled through the bench area as we were setting up. He called me aside to chat. He said why are you wearing body armor? I said, becaus I'm training and we're at a gun range? Is it not okay? He said they like to keep things "family friendly", they don't want anyone to be intimidating he also asked if I was police or military. He said he was for 35 years and had to wear body armor, but doesn't now.

Is body armor not family friendly? Should you not wear your vest to the range? If not, where should you wear it?

Am I doing this wrong? Or did I just encounter a range Karen? never had a problem / question at other ranges.

- Internet Operator

Fudd range RSO do fudd range things. He's probably a guy who says things like "I support the second amendment, but…" and "nobody needs an assault weapon to hunt with."

 

[Alexx1401]

This is a sad example of someone with a little bit of authority. I wear soft when I go to shoot to but its the kind few notice. I guess to make him happy get a t-shirt a size larger than normal and slip it on. The he can be in his little utopia.

 

[Mikej]

Hmmm. I don't think "I" would be intimidated? Might snicker to my self a little thinking "Tactical Ted"? Not really a proper response though. That would be MY bad. "Training" is a good explanation.

 

[SrMachoSolo]

Did he look like this?



-Robert

 

[Foreverlost]

Just thinking.......................................:::: it seems the bad guy always get to pick the time & place. Nuf said

Foreverlost,

 

[RVTECH]

Is body armor not family friendly?

Probably a matter of opinion.

Should you not wear your vest to the range?

Totally up to you. Body armor is certainly not something that is inappropriate out of doors and in a range setting. Probably not particularly necessary for just 'Saturday plinking' as you initially said - but then you told the RSO you were 'training' - so did you say this to rationalize your wearing it?

Am I doing this wrong? Or did I just encounter a range Karen?

If there is no particular policy at the range then you are doing nothing wrong.

 

[CountryGent]

Can't say I've ever worn armor to a public range, but bizarre anyone would give a damn. It is not like anyone was being unsafe. (Then again; there's a reason I do all my shooting on private land I or a family member owns. No issues with Karens, Mall Ninjas, or assorted mouth-breathers if they aren't there.)

 

[GWS]

Screw that guy. If its not prohibited in the waivers you sign then wear a clown suit if you want. Knowing how your body armor feels while shooting is useful info and wearing body armor is probably prudent at a public range anyway.

 

[Knobgoblin]

Idaho this morning?

How hot was it? I give you props for wearing a vest at all in the summer over there .

 

[Knobgoblin]

Did he look like this?

View attachment 998048

-Robert

I think I found an RSO approved shirt.

Worn at least 1 size too small.

 

[308]

Was he wearing a deep-V shirt, gold chains and driving an 80s Corvette?

 

[The Just]

View attachment 998043

Excuse me sir, mind answering a couple questions?

It was a solid questioning. He was clearly an experienced investigator. I almost thought he was going to ask me to take it off. He said what do you need that for? Is it your job? Are you law enforcement?

The other RSO later asked me "is it hot?" as if hot that would change my need or desire to protect myself? wasn't really bad tbh. 91' today. There's a guy wearing hard plates in a 120' desert right now and really needs them. I'll be fine. The cover is flesh tone consealable, not 'tactical'. I left the smoke grenades and helo strap at home

Maybe I've read the Chris Kyle story too many times, but it's hard for me to trust randos at the range. Just takes that one guy to forget the whole hot range cold range thing or drop his rifle on the bench down wind from you I've seen some silly stuff happen at the range. Not interested in being part of someone's training accident

 

[SrMachoSolo]

Was he wearing a deep-V shirt, gold chains and driving an 80s Corvette?

I can hear the Whitesnake blaring now...

I think I found an RSO approved shirt.

Worn at least 1 size too small.

View attachment 998065

I believe they call that size "smedium".

-Robert

 

[American123]

It was a solid questioning. He was clearly an experienced investigator. I almost thought he was going to ask me to take it off. He said what do you need that for? Is it your job? Are you law enforcement?

The other RSO later asked me "is it hot?" as if hot that would change my need or desire to protect myself? wasn't really bad tbh. 91' today. There's a guy wearing hard plates in a 120' desert right now and really needs them. I'll be fine. The cover is flesh tone consealable, not 'tactical'. I left the smoke grenades and helo strap at home

Maybe I've read the Chris Kyle story too many times, but it's hard for me to trust randos at the range. Just takes that one guy to forget the whole hot range cold range thing or drop his rifle on the bench down wind from you I've seen some silly stuff happen at the range. Not interested in being part of someone's training accident

Your soft armor wouldn't prevent a rifle round though.

 

[czgunner]

FUDD. They aren't on our side.

 

[Knobgoblin]

It was a solid questioning. He was clearly an experienced investigator. I almost thought he was going to ask me to take it off. He said what do you need that for? Is it your job? Are you law enforcement?

The other RSO later asked me "is it hot?" as if hot that would change my need or desire to protect myself? wasn't really bad tbh. 91' today. There's a guy wearing hard plates in a 120' desert right now and really needs them. I'll be fine. The cover is flesh tone consealable, not 'tactical'. I left the smoke grenades and helo strap at home

Maybe I've read the Chris Kyle story too many times, but it's hard for me to trust randos at the range. Just takes that one guy to forget the whole hot range cold range thing or drop his rifle on the bench down wind from you I've seen some silly stuff happen at the range. Not interested in being part of someone's training accident

Reality being this: (pure guesswork)
You're in your 20s or 30s he's at least in his 50s . He doesn't know you. You have a female in your group( likely a cute one too).
Of course he came over and tried to Alpha you, it's human nature.
Sounds like a normal Male interaction.

 

[CamoDeafie]

Your soft armor wouldn't prevent a rifle round though.

This is true. On the other hand, it depends on the range. Some indoor places are pistol caliber only.

 

[American123]

Reality being this: (pure guesswork)
You're in your 20s or 30s he's at least in his 50s . He doesn't know you. You have a female in your group( likely a cute one too).
Of course he came over and tried to Alpha you, it's human nature.
Sounds like a normal Male interaction.

There's at least 1 D-bag in a position of authority at every gun range. I would describe that as normal D-bag interactions, not male.