Fear & Loading: Range Officer’s Guide to Zodiac Signs

by
posted on May 31, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
zodiac_2.jpg

What's your sign? See if you recognize yourself among these tips—compiled with tongue planted firmly in cheek—tailored for range safety officers based on the signs of the zodiac.

Aries—First to call a cease fire. They’re eager to lead the way, whether at the range, home, work or school. Rangemasters are well advised to place them in a middle lane, where other zodiac signs may shy from calling a cease fire. 

Taurus—Refuses to surrender, even when it’s tough to figure out what’s going with their groups. Others dismiss it as a fluke, but these folks stick around until it’s sorted out. They’re best suited for middle lanes, where the constant fire encourages others to drain their ammo supply. 

Gemini—Talks to people on adjacent lanes like they’re an old friend every time the range goes cold, even though the pair didn’t meet before the clubhouse or check-in counter. A lot of energy is invested in their outgoing nature, so outside lane placement is the current strategy, thereby reducing the chances they’ll be adjacent to chatterless-preferring Virgos.  

Cancer—Displays an unusual and sincere empathy when fellow shooters encounter a problem. Ideally assigned adjacent to any Taurus or Scorpio, since both may need an understanding shoulder to cry on later in the day.

Leo—Loves the latest and greatest, ready to show it off and eager to bask in the resulting rangeside glory. Best identified at the check-in counter when someone volunteers first to complete paperwork. Should the range have an ammo surplus, place adjacent to the firing line of an eager-to-compete-for-attention Aquarius. 

Virgo—Eagerly volunteers if the facility has a private range or lane. Placed in a more public setting their studious and quiet nature is often misconstrued as elitist or standoffish. Side lane is ideal, but next to any identified Sagittarians, who’re easy going enough to not even care, works well. 

Libra—Standard operation procedure dictates closest to a rangemaster’s station. They’ll get you coffee, police spent brass and, if you’re lucky, complement your wardrobe during cease fires. The sport needs more Libras. 

Scorpio—Intense, competitive and when things go wrong, moody enough to even bring Libras down. Proximity to a caring-in-nature Cancer is a good combination. 

Sagittarius—Easygoing and laid-back, they’re ideally placed next to Virgo, who probably wanted an empty range. Most Sagittarians have made a science of avoiding undue blood pressure increases and have learned not to misread the quiet observation.

Capricorn—An eagerness to say it like it is means placing members of this zodiac group close to Scorpios should be minimized. A firing line next to an attention-seeking Taurus, however, often makes their resulting conversation and one-upmanship more entertaining than reality TV.  

Aquarius—Anyone with a neon-green firearm, paisley shirt and matching eye protection is probably part of this group, although this age offers more standard and exotic gear guaranteed to stand out from the crowd just as well. A firing line next to a Leo is guaranteed to cure “slow range day” blues. 

Pisces—Easily identified by the spontaneous and imaginative joke delivered as gear is unpacked. For safety sake, temporarily reign in the creativity by placing them near an Aries. 

Additional Reading:
Sign of the Times: Your Gun Horoscope  

 

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.