| 2989 Stirling Road Dania Beach, FL 33312 954-983-9595 RANGE SAFETY RULES GUNS BROUGHT ONTO THE RANGE 1. All firearms brought onto the range must be completely unloaded. The only exception is for personal defense guns, which must remain concealed. Unloaded firearms may be carried, handled, cleaned, and repaired on the premises provided the actions remain open. This means bolts open, slides back, magazines out, cylinders open, etc. GUNS NOT PERMITTED TO BE FIRED ON THE RANGE 1. Shotguns 2. Fully automatic firearms 3. Centerfire rifles unless S.A.S.S. approved (No AR 15’s, AK 47’s. .223’s, .3030’s, etc.) 4. Pistols on the “rifle side” of the range (Unless .22 rim-fire, non-magnum, and shooting “silhouette”) 5. Guns which are not safe, or where there is any doubt as to their safe operation, are strictly prohibited. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS 1. Pistols with a barrel length under four inches may be fired, but only by those approved by the Chief Instructor or designee(s). The list of those approved is posted. 2. Muzzle loading rifles and pistols (“Black Powder”) may be fired, but only by those approved by the Chief Instructor or designee (s). The list of those approved is posted. 3. The Chief Instructor or designee(s) must approve all shooters using any pistol on the “rifle side” of the range. The list of those approved is posted. 4. The Chief Instructor or designee(s) must approve all shooters using S.A.S.S. (Cowboy) rifles. The list of those approved is posted. AMMUNITION 1. No magnum loads, steel core, steel jacketed, armor piercing or tracer ammunition is allowed. 2. On the “rifle side” of the range, only .22 ammunition is allowed. 3. If authorized to shoot “black powder”, only lead, round ball or conical, is allowed; no sabots. 4. If authorized to shoot metallic silhouette, only .22 short, long and long rifle ammunition may be used. FIRING LINE OCCUPANTS 1. All persons using the firing line must be capable of loading, aiming and properly supporting any gun fired. All persons must be able to keep all rounds fired on a NRA B8 target (22 ½ x 24”) at 15 yards. 2. All persons using the firing line should wear eye and ear protection. 3. All shooters under 18 years of age must be supervised by a senior member. If the senior member is not the legal parent or guardian, written permission must be obtained from all those having custody or guardianship. 4. Consumption of alcohol or any intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance by persons using the firing line is strictly prohibited. 5. Spectators are always welcome; however, they are to remain to the rear of the yellow safety line. Spectators should wear eye and ear protection. FIRING LINE PROCEDURE – COMPETITIVE MATCHES 1. The Range Officer is in direct charge of the range during all matches. Strict adherence to his/her instruction and commands is mandatory. 2. All officially sanctioned shooting matches are conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the sanctioning organization. Exceptions are noted in the match program. 3. All shooters must be familiar with the sanctioning organization’s official rules, range operation, commands and range courtesy. 4. Upon the command, “cease fire”, regardless of when the command is given, all firearms are unloaded immediately and made “safe”. Actions remain open until further commands are given. If the action does not remain open, a safety flag must be inserted and visible. 5. Ammunition is not to be inserted or loaded into any gun until the command “load” is given. 6. No person goes forward of the firing line until the range officer gives the command to do so. FIRING LINE PROCEDURE – PRACTICE SESSIONS 1. General rules of safety and common sense are always in effect. 2. The range is equipped with a safety bell system and flashing lights. The switches to operate the bell system are located on the pistol and rifle sides of the range, on the crossbeam above the firing line. Switches are painted red. 3. The safety bell system is not to be used to call a “cease-fire”. Before the bell is activated a verbal “cease fire” should be called. When all guns are made “safe”, and only then, should the bell system be switched on. Shooters who do not go forward to change targets will remain behind the white line. No one touches any gun until the safety bell and lights are turned off. 4. The intervals for practice sessions are thirty (30) minutes. “Cease fire” is only called on the hour and half-hour. Any shooter may call “cease fire” at the designated time interval. Shooters must check both sides of the range, (“rifle side” and “pistol side”) before calling a “cease-fire”. If all shooters on both sides of the range agree, shorter practice sessions may be held. 5. When “cease fire” is called, all guns are unloaded immediately and made “safe”. Actions remain open until all shooters have returned to the rear of the firing line and shooting resumes. If the action does not remain open, a safety flag must be inserted and visible. 6. No guns are handled while the bell is ringing. Only when all persons are to the rear of the red firing line, may the bell be turned off, guns handled and firing resumed. It is the responsibility of each shooter to make sure that all persons (both “rifle side” and “pistol side”) are safely behind the red firing line before handling or loading any gun. 7. All persons going forward of the firing line are to throw their switches to the “on” position. The switch will be thrown to the “off” position as each shooter returns to the rear of the red firing line. Shooters going forward of the firing line are not to cause unnecessary delay to the resumption of firing. 8. All dry firing must be done on the firing line with the gun pointed down range. All guns to the rear of the firing line must have their actions locked or blocked open, preferably encased or boxed. 9. Semi-automatic pistols and rifles are restricted to five rounds; however, semi-automatic pistols may be loaded with six rounds if used for “Combat”/self-defense practice. 10. Only revolvers may be loaded to full capacity. 11. A loaded firearm is never left unattended nor set down on the shooting bench/table. 12. All loaded guns must be aimed so that all shots fired hit the backstop. Only line of sight shooting is permitted. No snap firing, quick draw or hip shooting is allowed on the firing line. Unless a shooter is authorized to practice “Combat”/self-defense shooting, no handgun may be pulled from a holster. 13. All firing is done on targets approved for the course of fire and properly mounted on the target frame designated for that discipline. a. U-shaped and trapezoid-shaped frames are only used on the “pistol side” of the range. Trapezoid-shaped frames are only used for “Combat”/defense shooting and only at the 50 yard line. When bench resting on the “pistol side”, only orange U-shaped frames are used, and all bench resting must be done from a seated position. When not bench resting, U-shaped frames should correspond in color to the shooting platform used. U-shaped frames may be used at any distance. b. Shooting at objects other than paper targets or approved metallic silhouettes is strictly prohibited except for special events approved, in advance, by the Executive Committee. Pistol target backers are 22-1/2” x 24”, and only one target center is mounted in the center of the backer. Multiple centers, however, may be used when using a Ransom-type Rest on the concrete base at the West end of the pistol range and firing at a target on pistol position #6 at the 50-yard line. “Combat”/defense centers are also permitted on 22-1/2” x 24” backers, and may be placed on the 15 and 25-yard lines. At these distances the shooter must shoot from the standing position. Air pistol targets are mounted on backers 22-1/2” x 24”, four (4) or six (6) targets to a backer, and placed a distance of ten (10) meters. On the “rifle side” of the range, approved multi-center targets may be used. Silhouette targets (metallic and/or paper) are mounted on appropriate frames so that all shots will go into the berm. Silhouette practice (pistol/rifle) is for approved .22 cal. only, and must be fired at 25 yards or more. Metallic silhouette targets must sit freely on the rail. “C” clamps and such fasteners are not permitted. 14. Monday through Saturday, no shooting before 0900 (9:00 a.m.); Sunday, no shooting before 1000 (10:00 a.m.). Registered or approved NRA matches may start as early as 0800 (8:00 a.m.), but with .22 cal. only. No shooting after 1800 (6:00 p.m.) unless daylight savings time when shooting ceases at 1900 (7:00 p.m.). Air pistols and air rifles may be fired any time conditions allow. PRACTICE FOR “COMBAT”/DEFENSE SHOOTING 1. Only those approved by the Chief Instructor or designee(s) are permitted to practice “combat”/defense shooting. 2. During practice for “combat”/defense shooting, the gun is not loaded until the shooter is in position. Only then may the shooter draw from a holster and fire 3. For those who have been approved to fire them, “combat” pistols and defense pistols may be fired from a 7-yard line measured back from the 50-yard target line. “Combat”/defense frames are only used on pistol positions 10 through 15. 4. “Combat”/defense practice is only done when no other members on the range desire to fire from the covered 50-yd firing line. A sign stating that “Defense/Combat Firing Is In Progress” is placed beside the sign-in sheet(s). Another sign with the same information is hung on the front side of the closed gate while firing is in progress. In addition, two “A” frame signs, 3 feet in height and with the same information, will be placed -- one on the 25-yard firing line facing the covered firing line, the other in the center of the “rifle side” covered firing line. When other members desire to shoot, any person practicing defense or “combat” shooting will have 15 minutes to complete firing and return to the covered firing line. GENERAL RULES AND POLICIES 1. Rules of good sportsmanship and fair play shall prevail at all times. 2. Loud and abusive language is not permitted. Shooters and spectators limit their talking to normal conversational levels. 3. A senior club member may bring a guest or prospective member to shoot on the range. The member is responsible for the guest’s or prospective member’s actions and must be present with any guest or prospective member at all times he/she is on the firing line. 4. A senior club member is assessed a daily firing line usage fee of $5.00 per guest or prospective member. The $5.00 fee may be paid by the guest or prospective member. 5. Senior club members may bring immediate family (father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or spouse) to the range any time during range hours without payment of a firing line usage fee. 6. All members, guests and prospective members on the premises must sign in and out using the daily log sheet(s) located near the Stat. Office. Everyone must put the date, print his/her full name, time in and time out. Those using the firing line must also indicate firing position (rifle and/or pistol), number of rounds fired and caliber. Members must also indicate membership card number. Firing line fees are payable to the club using an honor system. Envelopes are provided near the sign-in sheet(s). Envelopes should list member’s name, card number, name(s) of guest(s) and contents. Envelopes with firing line fees should be dropped through the mail slot in the Stat. Office door. 7. Each shooter is responsible for policing the area from which he/she fired, and for helping maintain the club grounds and facilities in a neat and tidy manner. 8. The last member to leave the grounds is responsible for turning off all non-essential electrical equipment, locking all doors and locking the gate. The combination should be “spun off” any lock to prevent access by outsiders. 9. These rules and policies are designed to protect life and property. Adherence to these rules will ensure your continued shooting and pleasure. Enforcement of these rules is each and every member’s responsibility. 10. The Executive Officer, any designate, or senior member of the club in good standing may stop any person on the line from shooting if the shooter is firing or acting in an unsafe manner that may endanger any person or cause damage to any property. If the actions of said person are serious, any officer or member of the club in good standing may bring the individual up on charges. 11. The club, as a chartered not for profit organization, expressly prohibits the use of this club and its facilities for any commercial or personal gain. 12. The HRPC is a voluntary private organization. It has an absolute right to enact and enforce rules governing the use of its facilities, and it is every member’s responsibility to know and follow these rules. Any member who damages any club property is financially responsible for any repairs or replacement that may be necessary. Members who do not comply with the club’s rules, or who do not use the club’s facilities in a safe manner, will have their privileges to the use the club’s property and equipment suspended or terminated. Revised: 10/16/2007 |
