ON THE RANGE

Range Safety

Although safety is largely a matter of common sense, the following is intended to confirm what you already know and bring to your attention some situations that you may not have previous experience of.

 

A well-maintained air rifle can project a pellet at 500 feet per second. It can kill at ranges over 50 metres, and cause serious injury at up to 200 metres

 

ALWAYS obey the Range Officer’s commands immediately

 

ALWAYS prove that a gun is un-cocked / unloaded

• before handling it

• before passing it to anyone

• before leaving the firing point

• make sure the breech flag is in and clearly visible

 

ALWAYS treat all equipment loaned to you as if it were your own.

• Check it before you use it and report any defects. 

• Should it fail during use, put it down pointing down the range, breach open, stand back and draw the attention of the Range Officer

 

NEVER point a gun at anyone – EVER

NEVER load a gun anywhere other than on a firing point

NEVER point a loaded gun anywhere other than down the range

NEVER finger the trigger until the gun is aimed at the target

NEVER handle anyone else’s gun without permission

 

If ever the Range Officer or tutor gives the emergency command, STOP STOP STOP, shooting must cease immediately.  Guns must be placed on the table and made safe then shooters must stand back from the firing point.

 

THIS SIGNIFIES AN EMERGENCY AND MUST BE ACTED ON IMMEDIATELY

 

When you visit other ranges you may find they have specific safety rules; the Range Officer should make you aware of these.  However, if you carry out the above actions so that they become habit you will be seen to be safe anywhere you go, as any local safety procedures will not vary greatly from these.  If you are not sure if it’s safe, ASK.

 

REMEMBER – BE SENSIBLE – BE SAFE

 

 

Range Etiquette

Target shooting requires intense concentration over long periods of time and any disruptive, distracting or dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated, only the highest standards of behaviour are acceptable. 

All clubs have rules or Bye-laws that lay out the standard of behaviour expected of members or visitors to that club.  These Bye-laws take into consideration basic safety rules and those that apply to the specific conditions prevailing at that club.

 

When on the range

• Be considerate of other shooters

  • Think about what you are about to do and consider how it would affect you if someone else were to behave in the same manor.  Would it distract or annoy you? 

  • Wait for the appropriate time when setting up or leaving the firing point.  Ensure that those around you are not disturbed whilst you do so. 

  • When you have finished shooting, wait until those around you have also finished and vacate the firing point quickly and quietly and leave the firing point tidy for others to use. 

  • Chatting on the firing point is unnecessary and unacceptable and in competition may lead to disqualification and a re-shoot for those around you.

  • Only coaches and range officers are permitted on the firing point with the shooter

• Do not disturb other shooters whilst they are shooting

• Only when shooters have left the firing point and moved behind the blue chairs is it ok to engage with them

• Always obey the Range Officer without discussion

• The four rules of good etiquette

 

CONSIDERATION – COURTESY – AWARENESS - OBEDIENCE

 

The rules of etiquette apply not only to how you conduct yourself on the firing point.

 

When not shooting, and while shooting is in progress, as either a spectator or waiting for your detail, remember to conduct yourself in a courteous manner.