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BobCat wrote: The rule against drawing from the holster does, indeed, exist. Many members feel it is silly but the Board was worried someone might shoot himself in the leg. The president and much of the Board are younger, newer folks - and the rule might get eliminated if enough members push for that.

Andrew,

I too would not mind that kind of change, however, to do it safely, we would have to find a way to have Draw 'N Shoot lanes that offered protection for the shooters on either side...

I'm going to look into this one. I work not far from the Juliff range.

PBratton wrote:
Andrew,

I too would not mind that kind of change, however, to do it safely, we would have to find a way to have Draw 'N Shoot lanes that offered protection for the shooters on either side...

Yes, it would require some thought and preparation but the no-draw rule is irksome to people who want to practice for IDPA etc.

I would start by amending the rule to state that, if nobody else is present on that range at the time, the rule is not in force. Shoot yourself in the leg, you call 911 on your own dime.

The short range - 3, 7, and 15 yards - at Juliff often has one vehicle with maybe one or two people (who are there together, having come in one car). If there is nobody else involved, I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to draw and fire.

You are right too, that having a shooting lane separator of some kind would offer protection to shooters next to the one drawing. I just do not see how to do that cheaply and without sacrificing space on the firing line to walls or other partitions.

It is easy enough to practice draw and dry-fire at home, and practice shooting from low-ready at the range, but Bayou would benefit from having action pistol matches, which involve drawing and firing. PSC has them and has an excellent Safety record.

Regards,
Andrew

I am an avid motorcycle rider. When I go an an organized ride, I have to sigh a release that does not hold the organizers responsible for any accidents or I don't ride. The same could be done for an IDPA shoot or other things.

The point is nobody should get hurt at the range. It isn't about liability, it is about not shooting yourself in the leg, or shooting a person next to you.

Bayou Rifles has been there since 1936 and, as far as anyone knows, nobody has ever been shot. Twisted ankles and bee stings, yes - but no bullet wounds.

I shoot 2-3 rifle matches there every month. Never been asked to sign a release. I don't know what the paperwork at an IDPA match is like.

I think the no-draw-and-shoot from the holster rule is a little too strict, but that is just my opinion. I think most people are not so clumsy as to shoot their own leg, or their neighbor. Still, it happens a few times every year, somewhere, and the Bayou board of directors has not been convinced to accept the risk. It means no IDPA matches at Bayou, and no practice for IDPA that involves draw-and-shoot.

Regards,
Andrew

BobCat wrote:
I think the no-draw-and-shoot from the holster rule is a little too strict, but that is just my opinion. I think most people are not so clumsy as to shoot their own leg, or their neighbor. Still, it happens a few times every year, somewhere, and the Bayou board of directors has not been convinced to accept the risk. It means no IDPA matches at Bayou, and no practice for IDPA that involves draw-and-shoot.

Regards,
Andrew

As you say, nobody should get hurt at the range. When building a range for a particular type of usage, you simply have to plan for the worst-case scenario.

In short, from what I've seen of the two Bayou ranges, we'd have to either build some "horseshoe" type berms, or build some concrete/cinder block walls between some of the ranges in order to safely "run and gun," draw and shoot, etc.

From what I've been told, it's not the board hasn't been convinced to accept the risk, as much as the board realizes our current facilities are no more setup for IDPA/IPSC/Cowboy action stages than we are for .50 BMG cartridges.

I think if we can figure out how to make it all work safely, the board will go for it.

Although I'd rather draw from a holster and run & gun (I play IDPA every chance I get), I have to agree that with our current configurations, my drawing and moving is potentially unsafe for others on other ranges.