Version 1.6 February 3, 2003
Table of Contents
Overview
Section 1 Terminology
Section 1 contains definitions for the terms used in this document and some common terms from range documentation.
Section 2 Gun Handling Rules
Section 2 contains specific gun handling safety rules to be observed on the Rifle/Pistol Range.
Section 3 General Range Rules
Section 3 contains general range rules on how to safely use the Rifle/Pistol Range.
Section 4
Section 4 contains rules that are unique and specific to the Rifle/Pistol Range. This includes type of targets allowed and ammunition restrictions.
Section 5 Administrative Range Rules
Section 5 contains rules that define hours of operation, notification for repairs and emergencies, and other rules pertaining to the administration of the Rifle/Pistol Range.
Overview
This safety plan has been established to ensure the safety of those individuals who use this facility and the community at large. The rules and regulations in this document are to ensure the continuity of this facility and the continued safety of the neighbors of this facility.
The use of the Rifle/Pistol Range at the Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (LCC-IWLA) is a privilege, and the use of firearms is an inherently dangerous activity. Your activities and actions must always be conducted in a manner that is consistent to safeguard yourself and others against harmor injury, and property against damage and destruction. The rules in this safety plan shall be adhered to in order to protect the lives and safety of all, and preserve your privilege.
Failure to follow the rules in this safety plan will result in punishment from the Board of Directors LCC-IWLA. The Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman, LCC-IWLA officers, or member of the LCC-IWLA Board of Directors shall have the authority to take immediate action to suspend range privileges of users found violating the safety rules pending action by a majority of the Board of Directors LCC-IWLA.
This document was developed using “The NRA Range Source Book”. The structure of this document and the Gun Handling Rules are taken from “The NRA Range Source Book”. This rules set complies with the recommendations of the NRA.
Section 1
Terminology
Action: The “working mechanism” of a firearm that loads, fires, extracts and ejects a spent cartridge and in some instances reloads a new cartridge.
Archery: The shooting of arrows or bolts from a bow. See Bowhunting.
ATF: Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.
Backstop: A device constructed to stop or redirect bullets fired on a range.
Baffles: Barriers to contain bullets and to reduce, redirect or suppress sound waves. Baffles are placed either overhead, alongside or at ground level to restrict or interrupt errant or off-the-target shots.
Ballistics: The study of what happens to moving projectiles in the barrel and in flight – their trajectory, force, impact and penetration. The study is divided into three sections: internal, external and terminal. “Internal” refers to what happens inside the barrel before the bullet or shot leaves the muzzle. “External” is what happens after the bullet or shot leaves the barrel and travels to its final point of impact. “Terminal” is what happens to the bullet or shot at the final point of impact.
Ballistic Coefficient: A number which indicates how a bullet’s shape, length, weight, diameter and nose design affect its stability, velocity and range against air resistance.
Barrel: The metal tube of a gun made from iron or steel through which the bullet or shot charge passes when a gun is fired.
Berm: An embankment used for restricting bullets to a given area or as a dividing wall between ranges.
Blackpowder: A finely ground mixture of three basic ingredients sulfur, charcoal (carbon) and saltpeter (potassium nitrate). Often used to refer to blackpowder substitutes, such as Pyrodex.
BoD:
Bow: Catapult device that launches arrows or bolts. Commonly recognized as long bow, compound bow, and cross bow.
Breech: The rear end of the barrel. In modern firearms the portion of the barrel into which the cartridge is inserted. See Chamber.
Breechloader: A firearm loaded through the breech.
Bullet: A single projectile fired from a firearm.
Bullet Trap: A device designed to trap or capture the entire bullet and fragments as opposed to redirecting the projectile into a water or sand pit.
Cartridge: A self-contained unitized round of ammunition made up of a case, primer, powder and a bullet. The case is usually made from brass, but may be steel metal alloy or plastic.
Chamber: The enlarged portion of the barrel at the breech in which the cartridge is placed ready for firing.
Chapter: Refers to the
Discipline: A means of enforcing rules, including procedure, penalties, and administrative processes.
Energy: The amount of work done by a bullet, expressed in foot pounds.
Firearm: A term used to describe any gun, usually small, from which a bullet is propelled by means of hot gasses generated by burning powder (usually smokeless or black powder).
Firing Distance: The distance between the firing line and the target line.
Firing Line: A line parallel to the targets from where firearms are discharged.
Firing Position (Point): An area directly behind the firing line having a specified width and depth that is occupied by a shooter, his equipment, and if appropriate, an instructor or coach.
Gun: An instrument that uses a propelling charge to move a projectile. For the purposes of this manual, the term includes both firearms and airguns.
Handgun: A slang term used to describe pistols, either auto-loading, single shot or cylinder types held in one or two hands with no other support, such as shoulder stock, etc.
HOT range: A “HOT” range is one where firearms are currently being shot. When a range is declared “HOT” it means that users of the range may begin firing.
Impact Area: That area in a backstop or bullet trap directly behind the target where bullets are expected to impact. The term may also refer to a safety zone or area down range of an outdoor range where bullets will impact if not captured in a backstop.
Line of Sight: An imaginary straight line from the eye through the sights of a gun to the target.
Machine Gun: A firearm which fires more than one cartridge when the trigger is pulled only once.
Magazine: The part of a repeating firearm which holds cartridges in position ready to be loaded one at a time into the chamber. The magazine may be an integral part of a firearm or a separate device attached to the action.
Misfire: Failure of a cartridge to discharge after a firearm’s firing pin has struck the primer. In a muzzleloader this is when the cap fires but the charge doesn’t or the cap fails to fire when struck by the hammer. In flintlocks the charge may fail to ignite or may burn slowly before discharging. Also referred to as a hangfire.
Muzzle: The forward end of the barrel where the bullet exits the firearm.
Muzzle Energy: The energy of a bullet as it emerges from the muzzle. (Usually expressed in foot pounds)
Muzzleloader: Any number of firearms (pistols, rifles and shotguns) designed to be loaded from the muzzle end of the firearm or barrel. The term is often used loosely to refer to firearms loaded from the forward end of a swing out breech.
Penetration: The distance traveled by a projectile from the point of impact, in a given media, to its final stopping point.
Pistol: A firearm capable of being held, aimed and fired with one hand. Also known as a revolver or a handgun.
Range: The distance traveled by a projectile from the firearm to a final impact point. Three terms apply to range: “point blank,” “effective,” and “extreme.” Point blank range refers to distance less than five yards; effective range means the greatest distance a projectile will travel with accuracy; extreme range means the maximum distance a projectile will travel. Also refers to the facility designated by the LCC-IWLA Chapter for the purpose of shooting at regulation targets.
Revolver: A type of pistol equipped with a cylinder that consists of several chambers, each containing a cartridge or loading components. See pistol.
Rifle: A modern firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder. Its main characteristic is a rifled (grooved) barrel that imparts a spin to a single projectile as it travels through the bore. Some rifles designed for military and law enforcement use may have a pistol grip stock in addition to or instead of a shoulder stock.
Rules and Regulations: Standards used in the operation of a shooting range. Rules and regulations are set up to govern the method of range operation to include health and safety. The violation of the rules and regulations generally carries penalties enforced by operations personnel.
Safety Baffles: Vertical or sloping barriers designed to prevent a projectile from traveling into an undesired area or direction. Most often used to prevent bullets from leaving the range proper.
Shotgun: A firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder with a smoothbore barrel that fires shotshells possessing a varying number of pellets. Some barrels are designed to be used with rifled slugs, and the barrel may be rifled. Some shotguns designed for military or law enforcement may have a pistol grip in addition to or instead of a shoulder stock.
Shotshell (Shell): A cartridge, designed to be used in shotguns. A unitized round of ammunition is comprised of a hull or shell, a primer, powder, shotcup or wad and shot. Shells are normally constructed from plastic or paper.
Small Arms: Firearms that may be both carried and discharged by one person, as opposed to artillery pieces. Small arms are not subject to precise definitions, but the term usually includes rifles, handguns (pistols), shotguns, submachine guns and machine guns.
Sound: The sensation perceived by the sense of hearing. A loud disagreeable sound is referred to as noise.
Trajectory: The path a projectile travels from the muzzle to the point of impact.
Trap: A device or machine used to launch targets in the air or on the ground. Usually used in sporting clays and skeet shooting.
Velocity: The speed at which a projectile travels. Usually measured in feet per second.
Section 2
Gun Handling Rules
2.1 Always keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a safe direction. A “safe” direction is defined as downrange towards the target area or straight up.
2.2 Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. This means that the shooter’s finger will be outside the trigger guard of the firearm until the shooter is on target ready to shoot, or until the range command “Commence Firing” has been given.
2.3 Keep the action open and the firearm unloaded until ready to use.
2.4 There will be no handling of firearms on the firing line during a cease fire. There will be no handling of firearms on the range while people are downrange during a cease fire. This means that the firearm or its component piece i.e. magazines, scopes, bi-pods etc. shall not be touched until the range is declared “HOT”.
2.5 Be aware of your target and what is beyond. Do not mount targets on vertical posts or baffle support posts. No portable targets may by used except the ones provided on the range, when placed in the provided support post holes.
2.6 Eye and hearing protection is required at all times while the range is “HOT”. Eye protection is defined as lenses covering your eyes. Prescription or safety glasses are appropriate. Half glass (reading glasses) are not appropriate eye protection. Eye protection will be worn so it covers your eyes. Hearing protection will be in the or covering the ears. A hat or cap of some sort is recommended but not required.
2.7 Do not mix alcohol or drugs with shooting activities. Alcohol is prohibited on Chapter grounds. If a person is taking aprescription, over the counter drug bearing a warning about operating machinery, driving etc., or any substance which adversely affects their individual performance, that person will refrain from engaging in shooting activities until free from the effects of the drug or substance.
2.8 Be sure your firearm and ammunition are compatible. Use only the type of ammunition for the firearm you are currently shooting. When switching to a different caliber firearm store the ammunition that was previously being used.
Section 3
General Range Rules
3.1 Know where others are at all times. The downrange (target) area shall be checked and cleared before any firing commences.
3.2 Never fire from in front of the firing line. The firing line is designated by the yellow painted areas in front of the benches.
3.3 Remove the magazine or cartridge feeding device, unload the chamber, open the action, and bench or rack all firearms during a cease fire or when the range is not “HOT”. Muzzleloading firearms are considered unloaded when there is no cap present or there is no powder in the tray.
3.4 Muzzleloading and flintlock firearms may not be loaded from a container or flask that may hold more powder than is needed for a single shot.
3.5 Pistol targets shall be mounted a minimum of three feet off the ground.
3.6 Shoot only at the target mounted in front of your lane. Cross lane firing is prohibited.
3.7 When firing always keep the muzzle of your firearm pointed downrange at the backstop or berm
3.8 Designate a range coordinator when multiple shooters are present. This person will call cease fires for target retrieval and placement. The recommendation is that cease fires for target placement or retrieval be called every 15-20 minutes or when all shooters agree to a cease fire. Everyone shall be sure all people are behind the firing line with eye and hearing protection in place before declaring the range “HOT”.
Section 4
4.1 Machine guns, destructive devices, and certain other firearms are prohibited on the Rifle/Pistol Range. The definitions of these items may be found in Title 26 USC Chapter 53 section 5845, also known as the National Firearms Act. Examples are, any select fire firearm (aka full-auto), mortar, rocket launcher, grenade, Molotov cocktail.
4.2 All firearms shall be holstered or cased when moving them on or off the firing line. If a firearm is unable to be holstered or cased the action shall be open and it shall be pointed muzzle up while moving on or off the firing line. The muzzle shall not be pointed at anyone or anything until it is secured in a vehicle, placed at a shooting position and pointed downrange or placed in a rack at the rear of the firing line area.
4.3 If a misfire occurs, keep the firearm pointed downrange for at least 30 seconds before proceeding. If it is a muzzleloading firearm keep it pointed downrange for at least 2 minutes before proceeding.
4.4 If a firearm malfunction occurs on the firing line, and the firearm cannot have the action opened or live cartridges cannot be removed due to the malfunction, the owner is responsible to make it as safe as reasonably possible, and follow the rules for casing it or move it with the muzzle pointed up to their vehicle for transportation.
4.5 No modern center fire rifle caliber larger than .47 may be fired on the range.
4.6 No tracer, incendiary, exploding or armor piercing ammunition is allowed on the range.
4.7 No “hard” targets are permitted on the range. This includes but is not limited to clays, bottles, cans, jugs, wood blocks, steel drop targets etc.
4.8 No archery shooting is permitted on the Rifle/Pistol Range.
4.9 If someone is waiting to use the lane shooters are permitted the use of one shooting position. If others are waiting to use the lane a one hour time limit is to be observed for lane use.
4.10 Hand held or portable traps are not allowed on Rifle/Pistol Range.
4.11 Holsters that are worn on the same side as the shooting hand are permitted to practice drawing and firing. Holsters that are prohibited include, but are not limited to: cross draw holsters, shoulder holster rigs, etc. If drawing from the holster will cause the firearm to pointed in any direction other than at the ground and down range it is considered to be prohibited.
4.12 Drawing any “long arm” i.e. shotgun or rifle is prohibited. Concealing a rifle or shotgun and drawing from concealment is prohibited.
4.13 Shooting in the prone position on the ground is prohibited. When shooting prone the shooter shall use the top of the shooting bench.
4.14 No food or drink on the firing stations or in the firing line area. There is a shelf along the back of the range area or a picnic table behind the range area that may be used to store your food or drink when not shooting.
4.15 No smoking on the Rifle/Pistol Range firing line. No smoking within 25 feet of an uncased muzzleloading firearm or muzzleloading components.
Section 5
Administrative Range Rules
5.1 Chapter members are responsible for any guests they may bring on Chapter property including the Rifle/Pistol Range. This includes making the guest aware of all Rifle/Pistol Range rules and regulations before that guest uses the Rifle/Pistol Range.
5.2 No still or motion photography is allowed on Chapter grounds including the Rifle/Pistol Range without approval of a majority vote of the board and approval of the Rifle/Pistol Chairman.
5.3 All members and their guests must sign-in to the Rifle /
5.4 Members are required to display a valid membership card with orientation stamp while using any of the range facilities. If discovered using range facilities without displaying a valid membership card, you will be asked to identify yourself and display your card or leave the range. Members, guests or visitor who fail to identify themselves or leave the range when asked will be subject to permanent suspension or trespassing charges.
5.5 You are responsible to clean up the range when you have completed your shooting. You shall remove all targets from the down range area. Pick up the brass around your shooting bench and place it in the brass bucket at the rear of the range. Should you have any ammunition that misfires, place it in the bucket labeled “DUD” at the rear of the range area.
5.6 When unlocking the gate to the range you shall ensure that the combination is not left displayed. If you are the last person to leave the range you shall ensure the gate to the range is locked.
5.7 Spectators shall stay behind the firing line at all times. If not firing, spotting, or training, spectators shall not be in the firing position area. Spectators on the range shall wear eye and hearing protection.
5.8 Unleashed animals (pets) are not allowed in the range area. Wild animals that may enter the range area shall be run off, not by shooting at them. Should a wild animal enter the range area, a cease fire shall be called until the animal is off the range.
5.9 Hours of Operation for the Rifle/Pistol Range are not before
5.10 Rifle/Pistol Range facilities are closed on The Fourth of July, Christmas, and every Sunday. Educational shooting sessions as approved by the Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman or the BoD may be held on Sundays with the exception of Easter Sunday. No shooting allowed before
5.11 Rifle/Pistol Range facilities may be reserved by groups as approved by the BoD or Rifle/Pistol Range Chairmen. Exceptions to range rules may be granted by the BoD or Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman as needed by special groups using the range.
5.12 Fires, open flames, or charcoal fueled cooking devices are prohibited on the Rifle/Pistol Range and associated facilities.
5.13 Violations of the range rules and regulations shall be reported to a BoD member of the chapter or the appropriate Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman. The BoD member or Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman shall maintain the confidentiality of the person making the report.
5.14 No notices or signage shall be posted on any range facility without the permission of the board of directors or the Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman. The only exception is a notice of a safety problem. If a safety notice is posted the BoD or the Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman shall be notified immediately.
5.15 No construction on, alteration to, digging or depositing of soil, planting or removal of vegetation, mowing, burning or any modification to the range and or related facilities is allowed without the prior approval of the Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman or BoD.
5.16 All members must complete a Chapter Range Certification to use any of the range facilities. These sessions shall be conducted by the Second Vice-President (Membership) or his/her designated representative. Use of the Rifle/Pistol Range is subject to approval of the Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman and/or the BoD.
5.17 The Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman, Chapter President or officer shall be notified whenever 911 is called or emergency response personnel are called to the Chapter property. The physical location of the Chapter property shall be posted on the rifle range along with a listing of contact numbers for people who need to be notified.
5.18 The Chapter President, BoD, and Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman have final authority on all Rifle/Pistol Range facilities.
5.19 These rules are put in place by and may be changed, amended, or rescinded at any time with approval of the Rifle/Pistol Range Chairman and a majority vote of the BoD. Any permanent changes will be finalized in accordance with the “rules” procedures of the Chapter by-laws.
5.20 All federal, state, and local laws, in addition to Chapter rules and regulations shall be obeyed while on Chapter property including the Rifle/Pistol Range.