I can't believe I just read all 200 +/- posts. I heard some awful things, but I also heard a few people with lots of class call people out on it.
It's a public range and newbies come out in droves. I am glad to see new people to the sport and that they have a safe place to learn. They have to be strict or someone dies. We're not out there playing cards. We have loaded firearms and not everyone is experienced. True, some of us are, but they don't ask for our shooting resume and give us a little star to indicate we don't make mistakes. I've been shooting for 35 years and if I make a mistake they have a right to call me on it. The key thing here is that, if I do everything safe, I don't get corrected. And like some others have said, yes they DO have to yell...ear protection, duh. If what we do wrong is grossly unsafe they'll grab the mic or walk over (whichever is faster) to make sure we stop that. If it's not something urgent, they'll walk over and tell you individually.
Jenny and Bill are the volunteer RSOs most often when I go and they are awesome! Actually, they all are and they have a tough job. As certified instructors they feel responsible for your safety beyond what is required by their position, so naturally they jump on rule violations (e.g. the guy that shot himself). They give you a copy of the rules on your first visit and you DID agree to follow them when you came in.
I hate that I can't hang a silhouette, though. It's a silly political rule, but it's Hunter's Ed station, not a self-defense school. If they let me hang 4 targets, b/c I can shoot well, the beginners will want to as well and my shoot up the target stands. If I need more to shoot at, I bring the nine-spot targets that are on a single sheet.
Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect. I think I know who the range nazi is and I definitely agree he needs to chill. I wish I had my own place to shoot too or that I could afford a membership where only experienced shooters are allowed to be. Until then, the place is cheap, safe, and close to home.