Range Rules
FUNDAMENTAL RULES FOR SAFE GUN HANDLING
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger alongside the frame and outside the trigger guard. Until you are ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES
- Never use alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, or prescription drugs before or while shooting. Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns. All drugs, including marihuana, are prohibited from facility property. Any person suspected of being impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication will not be permitted on any range and will be asked to leave the premises.
- Know your target and what is beyond. Be sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Gun muzzles must always be pointed down range – never higher than the target frame. Cross lane firing is prohibited. Intentional firing at non-target objects is prohibited.
- Know how to use the gun safely. Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun’s mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.
- Be sure the gun is safe to operate. Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun’s general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun’s ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it. DO NOT REMOVE JAMMED OR MALFUNCTIONING GUNS FROM THE FIRING LINE. Place the gun on the bench and call the Range Officer.
- Use only the correct ammunition for your gun. Only BBs, pellets, cartridges, or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition. Magnum, +P, or heavy loaded ammunition is NOT allowed on the range. (See list of approved ammunition in the lounge.)
- Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate. Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gases that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, all shooters, and all other personnel in the immediate vicinity of the range are urged to wear eye protection devices and are required to wear hearing protection devices.
- Regular cleaning is important for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used. A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly. Before cleaning your gun, make sure that it is unloaded. The gun’s action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.
RANGE IS ACTIVE (HOT)
- Do not go forward of the firing line.
- Shooting may commence at the direction of the range officer.
- Guns may only be brought into the range when the range is active (hot).
- Guns may only be handled on the range when the range is active (hot). Shooters will wait for permission from the Range Officer before handling their guns.
- Only one gun is allowed per lane.
- One shooter and one coach are permitted per lane only.
- Persons not shooting or coaching must remain in the lounge area.
- Anyone who notices an unsafe condition at any time shall call a cease-fire and immediately notify the Range Officer.
- Shooters shall stand back from the firing line after firing to indicate to the Range Officer that a cease-fire can be called to check targets.
- At all times, the doors to the ranges and the clubhouse shall be closed except for entering or exiting.
THE RANGE IS NO LONGER ACTIVE (SAFE)
- Do not handle guns. No guns will be handled while shooters are down range.
- An empty chamber indicator or clear barrel indicator is required to indicate that the chamber and/or barrel is empty. Any substitute indicator may be used if it has a probe into the empty chamber, has a flag attached, and is a bright color.
- Guns on the range must be stored on the bench, floor, or rack.
- Safe to go forward of the firing line. Shooters will wait for permission from Range Officer before going forward to change targets.
FACILITY SPECIFIC RULES
- All rifles entering the facility shall be empty of ammunition and cased. Pistols shall be empty of ammunition and cased or otherwise safely stored (i.e. gun bag), unless holstered and concealed.
- Guns may be handled in the lounge permitted the fundamental rules for safe gun handling are adhered to.
- A member must accompany non-members to the firing line and remain there until the Range Officer is satisfied that the guest is competent to handle the gun on their own.
- No smoking is allowed in the facility.
- Food and beverage may only be consumed in the lounge.
- No low-cut shirts. Clothing must have the ability to shield from hot shell casings.
- No open-toed shoes, flip-flops, or sandals.
AIR VENTILATION SYSTEM
The air ventilation system must be in operation while the range is in use for all rimfire or centerfire shooting. The recirculation setting may be used during air rifle, air pistol, or BB gun shooting only. The outside air setting must be used for all other types of shooting.
VIOLATIONS
Gun safety is everyone’s responsibility. Anyone who has knowledge of someone else violating the rules of safety, no matter who it is, should speak up and eliminate the unsafe situation immediately. Violations must be reported to the range office as soon as possible.