A big part of the problem is that we live in such a litigious society. If someone shoots themselves in the foot, or sends a round into the cement and he frags half a dozen others, we have to worry about multiple law suits. To manage this liability, and to keep the insurance company happy, we don't allow drawing from holsters, have rapid-fire rules, and all of these other suck-y rules and regs.
The insurance company wanted to review our range procedures before agreeing to write a policy. Since there are but a small handful of insurance companies that underwrite shooting ranges, the private ranges have the same issue and many of the same suck-y rules.
Bottom line - If we lose our insurance, the range closes. Public or private, it doesn't mater. And that's why, if a RSO sees something going sideways, they will jump on the issue using what I'll call their Range Command Voice. I will back them every time!
Go into the hills or on private land and anything goes. But, get hurt? On public land you are on your own. On private land, you could sue the land owner.
Aside from all of that, range operators need to worry about the likes of OSHA, EPA, Dept. of Labor & Industries, the list goes on.
Hopefully no harm no foul, I was actually curious. as for the non snarky,I'll take that too.
