|
|
|
|
Back to Handbook Table of Contents
Zia Rifle and Pistol Club Safety Rules
1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. a. This means down range or deeper into the berm you are using. Never shoot or point a loaded gun up range, cross range, above the top of the berm or at the ground in the berm at such an angle as to make ricochet out of the berm likely. b. At all times, keep your firearm pointed farther into the berm so that discharge would safely place the projectile in the berm area and the round would come to rest within the berm. 2. Always keep your finger off of the trigger until ready to shoot. a. The maxim is: “On target, on trigger. Off target, off trigger” 3.
Always keep the gun
unloaded until ready to use. a.
Treat every firearm as
if it were loaded until proven otherwise! b.
Zia is a cold range.
Carrying loaded firearms is prohibited, even if you are a law officer or
you have a concealed carry permit.
You may load and fire your gun only at the benches, firing line or, if
participating in an organized activity, under
the direction of a Range Officer (RO). c.
It is highly recommended that
you unload all firearms before you come the range.
However, if you have a loaded gun in your car, (e.g., a carry, off-duty,
or self protection firearm) put it into a case or “gun rug” and take it to
the firing line of one of the ranges. Once
the line is hot you may then remove the firearm for use. d.
Gun handling, repair,
demonstration, or display in the parking lot, or any areas other than the firing
line, is strictly prohibited. You
may only touch the firearm to pick it up, check its status, render it obviously
safe (as described below) and either place it in a case/holster or carry it to
the line. e.
Holstered firearms should have
the chamber empty, magazine removed or cylinder empty, hammer down.
Rifles or shotguns must be empty, magazine out, slung or carried muzzle
up, bolt or chamber locked open (firearms that do not lock open should be
propped open with some device that makes the condition of the firearm obvious to
others). f.
Live ammunition may be carried
in speed loaders or magazines on your person. 4.
Know your target and what is
around and beyond. a.
Erect your targets so that
rounds come to rest within the berm.
Pay attention to where your rounds are going to go...before you shoot! b.
Place targets so as to prevent
ricochets out of the berm or back toward the firing line.
Usually, this means, as a minimum, placing targets deep in, and at the
base of the berm and maintaining at least 10 yards from metal targets. c.
Make sure the downrange areas
are unoccupied. d.
Use targets of paper or metal.
Do not use glass or material that leave shards or hazardous materials.
e.
Do not shoot into standing
water remaining after storms.
f.
Use of “plinking” targets
on the range is limited to the practice ranges (see range rules below). 5.
Be sure your guns are
safe to operate. a.
Always make sure the bore is
unobstructed before firing. b.
Make sure that the mechanism,
especially the safety, is in working order. 6.
Know how to use your
guns safely. a.
If you are unsure, seek help
from a certified NRA instructor. 7.
Use only the correct
ammunition for your gun.. a.
Do not use magnum calibers,
armor piercing rounds, or any projectiles containing steel, tungsten or other
enhanced penetration design on steel targets – see range rules. b.
Do not use exploding or
incendiary ammunition. c.
Do not fire ammunition you
have found on the range. d.
Retrieve all “dud” and
live ammunition. Do not leave any
unfired ammunition on the range. e.
If you find live ammunition or
duds on the range, pick them up and dispose of them properly or give them to a
Board member. 8.
Wear eye and ear
protection as appropriate. a.
All shooters and
observers MUST wear eye and ear protection while that range is hot. b.
High quality eye protection
should be worn at all times by everyone on the range.
Even when not on the firing line or if the range you are using is under a
“cease fire condition”, the other ranges may be hot.
The importance of eye protection at all times cannot be over-emphasized. c.
Wrap-around glasses with
polycarbonate lens and applicable UV protection are recommended. A billed cap is also recommended as additional eye
protection. 9.
Never use alcohol or
drugs before or while shooting. a.
Intoxication or reduced
capacity during shooting activities is grounds for dismissal from the club. b.
Be aware of “over the
counter” and prescription drug effects. These
can be dangerous while shooting. 10.
Store your guns so that
they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. a.
Do
not leave firearms unattended. b.
If you find an abandoned
firearm on the range: ·
Render it safe. ·
Take possession of it. ·
Leave a note at the front gate
which will allow the owner to contact you. ·
Confirm the owner and return
the firearm. ·
If you are uncomfortable with
this procedure, take possession and contact a Board member. 11.
Be aware that certain
types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety
precautions. a.
Matches and individual
shooting activities may impose additional safety requirements. b.
If you are beginning a new
shooting discipline or activity and are unfamiliar with the requirements, seek
help from a certified NRA instructor. 12.
Additional Safety
Regulations. a.
Obey all Range Officer
commands instantly. ·
See “Zia Range
Officer/shooter Responsibilities and Procedures” below. ·
A “CEASE FIRE” MUST be called immediately by anyone who observes an unsafe, or
potentially unsafe,
situation at any time. ·
If a potential safety problem
is noted call “CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE” in a loud and clear voice and insure
that everyone on the line is aware of the problem.
Be urgent and assertive. ·
Everyone on the line shares
responsibility for safety on the range. There
is no penalty for mistakenly calling a cease fire for safety reasons. ·
Once a cease fire has been
declared, only the Range Officer may again declare the range “hot”. b.
Be aware of lead
contamination. ·
Do not smoke or eat after
handling ammunition or brass until you have thoroughly washed your hands. ·
Do not use hats or other
articles of clothing as brass or ammunition containers. c.
Smoking is not allowed on the
firing lines. d.
Beware of the use of black
power and open flames or sparks. e.
Beware of stinging, biting or
otherwise potentially hostile desert critters....respect the fact that we are
intruding on their home and they may resent it. Do not harm them. f.
Clothing recommendations. · Wear other articles of clothing appropriate for the activity, e.g., do not wear loose necked garments that could catch hot brass · Wear a brimmed hat for added protection from hot brass and the sun. · Use gloves when handling targets, tires and other range materials.
|
Safety is not just the Number One Issue, It is THE MORAL ISSUE! |
|
Send mail to Zia
Webmaster with
questions or comments about this web site.
|