It should go without saying that gun ranges are serious places, even though they can be a great place to let off some steam, too. So, while they welcome new shooters and seasoned pros alike, there’s not much room for jokes or risky comments. In fact, what you say can get you kicked out, or worse, so choose your words carefully. To help with that, here are some phrases that you should never say at a gun range.
“Is this thing loaded?”
Starting up with an important one, you should never ask “Is this thing loaded?” at a gun range, because it suggests that you don’t know the condition of your firearm. That’s one of the most basic safety responsibilities you have, and even beginners won’t be forgiven for such a lack of judgment.
“Watch this!”
Nothing wise ever starts by saying “Watch this” when it comes to guns. Typically, it means someone is about to try something flashy or dangerous, likely something they saw in a movie. Like, come on – gun ranges are not the place to show off or treat firearms like props.
“I saw this in a movie once.”
Speaking of movies, don’t be foolish enough to bring up movie scenes at the range, as it gives the impression that you have an unrealistic understanding of guns. As cool as they might be to watch, movies are full of bad gun handling and unsafe behavior, and that should never be brought into the real world.
“Oops.”
If you say “Oops” at a gun range, you’re going to make people freeze, as it might mean you dropped a magazine or misfired. Instead, if you make a mistake, fix it calmly and quietly or alert a range officer if needed, but don’t announce it as if it’s no big deal.
“This gun isn’t mine—I just found it.”
Nobody wants to hear this when there are guns around. In fact, it’s actually the kind of comment that would get you escorted off the premises.
Gun ranges require you to be responsible and accountable for your equipment, and saying this implies that you’re doing quite the opposite, even if you’re “just joking around.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve done this in a video game.”
Even the most realistic video games have highly unrealistic weapon combat, so it doesn’t matter how many hours you’ve logged in an FPS – it doesn’t count for anything on a real gun range. Therefore, mentioning video games will only make people question whether you should really be on the range, and how much you actually understand concepts such as recoil and gun safety.
“What does this button do?”
If you’re unsure how to operate your firearm or someone else’s, the worst time to figure it out is when you’re standing in a live-fire zone. It shows a complete lack of preparedness, which is seriously dangerous. Make sure you learn how to use your gear before you get to the range, and if you’re not confident, leave immediately and do your due diligence before returning.
“I didn’t know that could happen.”
Sure, surprises do occur on the gun range for new shooters, but they shouldn’t be expressed with this kind of phrase. It makes you look like you didn’t bother learning the basics before coming, even if you did.
It’s a particularly concerning sentence if you’ve been caught off guard by something predictable, like recoil or a stovepipe. Understandably, it will make others nervous around you, so it would be better to leave the gun range and come back when you’ve studied up.
“I’m probably too drunk for this.”
No matter what, never utter this phrase at a range, even if you’re 100% sober and joking around. Mocking the safety of others is never going to land well, especially considering that ranges have zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol.
“Let’s see how fast I can shoot.”
In some contexts, speed shooting can be a valid skill when done under supervision and within specific guidelines. Announcing it in that way, though, makes it sound like you’re about to go wild without any control. Ranges and their clients care deeply about accuracy and consistency, not to mention safety, and they couldn’t care less about how fast you can empty a magazine without aiming.
“Is it okay if I shoot sideways like in the movies?”
As we previously covered, movies have all sorts of unrealistic gun cliches, and that includes shooting sideways. Doing this dramatically reduces the control and aim of a weapon, even if it does admittedly look cool in the movies. In real life, though, it’s incredibly silly-looking, and asking a member of staff if you can do it does not set a good first impression. Sure, it might have some small benefits in a gang war context, but that has no place at the range.
“This isn’t going to hit anything anyway.”
You might think it sounds harmless, but this kind of defeatist talk doesn’t exactly suggest you have control of your weapon, does it? So, if you genuinely think that your shots are unpredictable, why are you firing at all?
“You better duck.”
Yet another wisecrack, a comment like this is bound to put people on edge instantly. People expect a controlled environment at the range, not surprise warnings that imply someone’s about to get hurt. So, here’s another reminder: leave your bad sense of humor at the door.
“Let’s see what happens.”
Another phrase that you should never say at a gun range is “Let’s see what happens.” Yikes – this phrase is a dead giveaway that you’re not sure of the outcome, which is not what anyone wants to hear when live firearms are involved. Whatever you do, never shoot a weapon to “see what happens,” because the worst-case scenario could be deadly.
“Can I try yours?”
Sharing is caring in most areas of life, but not at the gun range. You should only be using a gun that you’re familiar with and well-practised with, so asking to use someone else’s gun without knowing them is a terrible idea, and will no doubt be responded to with an aggressive rejection.
“Stand back, I’ve got this.”
You should have gathered by now that, at a firing range, this kind of bravado will backfire. Overconfidence is one of the fastest ways to make mistakes with firearms, especially when you say things that make people assume you’re compensating for a lack of experience.
At the end of the day, if you know what you’re doing, you won’t need to announce it or push people away like they’re in your way.
“I didn’t bring eye or ear protection.”
One of the first things you learn about firing a gun safely is that you should wear eye and ear protection. Because of this basic rule, failing to bring any protection proves that you didn’t plan ahead or don’t fully understand the risks of gunfire. So, say this at the gun range, and you’re bound to get kicked out.
“This gun’s been jamming all day.”
If your gun has been jamming all day, why on Earth are you still trying to use it!? Repeated malfunctions shouldn’t be ignored, and saying this out loud means you’re aware of a potential safety issue, yet you’re continuing to shoot anyway. There’s nothing smart about that.
“Let’s film this – it’ll be hilarious.”
The word “hilarious” should never appear in a conversation about firearms. Everyone at a range is going to be focused and serious, so hearing this will make them squirm. To make matters worse, popping out your phone to create content just confirms that you care more about the clout of shooting a weapon, rather than the safety.
“I think I left one in the chamber.”
Last but not least, hearing this is a worst nightmare for experienced gun owners. If you think there’s a round in the chamber, that’s something to confirm, not announce casually. It’s a key safety check that should’ve been done before moving the firearm, handing it over, or putting it away. Therefore, saying it this way sounds like you’re shrugging off responsibility, and that’s the opposite of what safe handling requires.
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