Making the RSO Your Best Friend

By Jacob Paulsen | February 5, 2016 |

The RSO (Range Safety Officer) is the person at the gun range whose responsibility it is to ensure safety on the range. The RSO may not always stand behind each shooter and bark at you if you break any of the rules but generally the RSO is going to call out people who are crossing a line and making others feel uncomfortable.

Some time ago I wrote an article about why we often don’t recommend training at a public gun range due to the concerns for one’s safety. Today I want to suggest that if you do train at a public gun range you should make the RSO your new best friend.

Three Reasons Why the RSO Should Be Your Best Friend

The RSO can help you monitor other shooters

You are only as safe as the least safe person in the room holding a gun and the range safety officer can help keep an eye on all the shooters. If you see something the RSO may have missed you can approach them and say something like, “hey can you keep an eye on the person in lane 6, I just saw them sweep their firearm across everyone in the range.” The RSO should be grateful for the tip and you have done nothing wrong to point something out. Of course the RSO is more likely to take your tip seriously if you already introduced yourself and are on a first name basis.

The RSO likely is a great source of gun related knowledge

At a gun range full of shooters there are likely a few or more people there that know a lot more about guns and shooting them than I do but it may be difficult to ascertain who those folks are. However, almost always I can count on the RSO to be one of those individuals. Wisdom goes a long way and there is a limited amount of it so I try to get to know as many people as I can that can teach me something.

The RSO will also get to know you

One of the greatest values of knowing the RSO is that they will also get to know you. They will know what you do for a living, what guns you like to shoot, and how you like to train. I know of one range where I can go and the RSO will allow me to employ some training techniques that would normally be against the rules but due to our long relationship at the range he allows it.

Posted in Safety and tagged gun range, range, range safety officer, rso, Safety, Training

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Rick was very straightforward, kept the class engaged and interested. Extremely informative.

Eric Gordon

Rick is very knowledgeable in the presentation of information in a way that helps you understand and retain the lessons being taught

Jeff Davidson

I had heard CCDW classes were long and boring & had a “let’s get this over with” mentality going in. I had waited what felt like 6 yrs too long (I’m 27) to take it and knew it was something I needed to do. I assumed it would be like many other certification courses, super basic & just checking off all the boxes that were necessary. I have no doubt that many CCDW classes are, but I LUCKED out finding Ricks class! I got so much more than the basic laws of carrying concealed. You can tell Rick is very passionate about these classes and has a genuine concern for each of his students and keeps it entertaining with a good sense of humor. After taking this class I feel strongly that everyone should sit through this whether they plan or have the intention to carry or not. Knowing your rights and being familiar with the laws enough to make that decision for yourself is crucial.

Attaining that knowledge from someone with as much experience in the field is priceless. Needless to say I left with a different outlook than when I went in and now feel like not taking this class 6 yrs ago was not only a disservice to myself, but to any friends & loved ones I can let know about it so they are more prepared to protect themselves if the situation arises.

Kristi