default mode if you ordered your range units to attack an enemy it will continue to attack unless ordered otherwise. if you moved the range units into range without ordering it to attack it will auto attack and will return fire if attacked by range units that are in its range. however if you hit a range unit when it used its attack tick it doesn't matter if you were able to return fire as they could pull back before your attack tick deals damage. its a bit complicated due to the damage timer.
It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change. -Charles Darwin