Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Disturbing story from The Smoking Gun range in Colonial Heights. Here's the story from local news:
http://wtvr.com/2012/07/18/man-dead-of- ... ing-range/

Apparently the guy was the only person on the range at the time, so they're thinking accident or suicide. They have video cameras in the range area and they're looking at those to see if they can figure out what happened.
Tragic...

You know that "renting" a gun, and killing yourself is becoming a little too common.

Occurs to me that perhaps if I was dead-set on proactively shuffling off this mortal coil, one of my priorities might be to make sure my life insurance paid my widow (never mind whether she'd be grieving or merry) the maximum amount of benefits, undiminished and not complicated by issues of any alleged suicide. With that in mind, what better explanation for having a gun in your hand that led to a tragic "accident" than going to a gun range and renting an unfamiliar weapon?

I hope they clear this up without any issue for the owner. Myself and a group from work shoot there every other Monday, and I would hate to see anything bad happen for the range. The owner and his daughter are friendly, helpful, and just trying to make a living. Too bad someone entered their place, and potentially took themselves out, but since we are not sure yet, we need to see what the final outcome is. Still sad, I do like the staff there, and feel bad they had to deal with this yesterday.

Casey

UPDATE: Police sources told CBS 6 that foul play is not suspected in this shooting. Additionally, the sources said the shooting did not appear to be accidental.

We need to pass sweeping reform to prevent these suicides from happening. Shooting ranges should not be renting weapons that may cause harm to an individual. Hell, maybe shooting ranges should be closed down. Additional mental health questions should be added to background check forms, and applicants should be rejected at the slightest hint that the buyer may cause injury to himself or another.

Because that'll prevent these types of events from happening... right?

I have never shot there, but do they have an RSO on the firing line?

Maybe he realized he didn't have enough money to pay for the rental................

Shot there a couple of time... nice folks... hung out and talked shop for a while.... small store, small range but ok in my book...

BTW... certainly not to make light of this unfortunate deal... but... if your gonna take yourself out.... pay with a credit card...