Action Handgun Uses
NRA Rules and adds some additional ones that are unique to our sport.
If you are not
familiar with your firearm and are just getting started in shooting sports,
contact us in advance and we will meet you at the gate and make sure your
firearm is safe. If you have any questions, please ask, all safety
questions get taken seriously.
Safety Rules While
Engaged in Shooting a Stage
   
| Never point the
muzzle of your firearm at anything but a target. This will be at the
Range Officer's discretion |
Never put your
finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Keep your finger
off the trigger when drawing and replacing your firearm from its holster
or resting place and when changing magazines |
Never load your
gun until you are ready to use it. This will be determined by the
Range Officer |
 |
Never remove your
firearm from it's holster until so directed by the Range Officer. |
|
When moving about
during the stage, you must keep your firearm pointed downrange at all
times. You carry an imaginary wall with you. The targets are in
front of the wall. The spectators are behind the wall. Pointing your
firearm behind that wall is known as 'breaking the 180' and is a serious
violation. |
|
If you fall and
drop your gun or it falls from its holster while picking up brass or
helping out, let it lay. Call the Range Officer and She or He will
supervise it's retrieval. |
|
Let the Range
Officer know in advance of any special requirements for disability.
If you are concerned about kneeling or prone shooting for instance, just
let the RO know. She or he will make sure you are not asked to
do something that endangers your health or the safety of others.
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|
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General Range Safety Rules
Carrying of Firearms
|
When
you come to the range make sure your gun is unloaded. |
|
If
your firearm is semi-automatic, remove the magazine from it and pull
the slide back and visually ensure there is no round (bullet) in the
chamber. |
|
If
your firearm is a revolver, open its chamber and visually ensure there
are no rounds (bullets) in the cylinder. |
|
Gently
lower the hammer to its down position. |
|
At
your vehicle you may don your belt, holster and magazine/speed loader
pouches. |
|
Place
your unloaded firearm in it's holster with the hammer lowered.
|
|
You
may walk about the Zia Range with your firearm in this manner;
unloaded, magazine out, hammer down, in the holster and ammunition
ready on your belt. |
|
You
may draw your firearm only at the discretion of an RO during a match
or on a designated open range and then only down range.
Drawing your firearm to show it to someone anywhere but on a range is
dangerous and rude. |
|
If
you are shooting or even cleaning your gun you must be on a
range. If a cease fire is called, unload your firearm and place
it on the range table, magazine out, cylinder open or slide
back. Don't touch it or even its parts, if you're cleaning it,
until the range is declared 'hot'. |
|
If you notice
someone or an animal down range during firing, call for a cease fire immediately.
Yell it out!
Sometimes people, hikers, for instance, blunder downrange
unknowingly. The range is fenced but animals and some humans
don't always understand what the fence is for. No one will ever fault
you for calling a cease fire. |
|
If you find
unfired ammunition dispose of it in the steel can mounted on the East
covered range. |
|
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Rules Concerning
Person Protective Gear
|
All
person involved in shooting or observing shooting must wear eye
protection. |
|
All
persons involved in shooting or observing shooting must wear hearing
protection. |
|
Shoes or boots
should be suitable for outdoor desert wear. |
|
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Concerning
Conduct
|
We are all
expected to treat one another respectfully, in a sporting manner and with
good humor. |
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Foul or
inappropriate language should be saved for the barnyard. |
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None of us is The
Lone Ranger. We take our failures in stride and learn from
them. That is the purpose of our sport. |
|
We help each
other out and co-operate in setting up and tearing down the stages.
We all share in taping shot holes and picking up brass. |
|
We set an example
of good sporting conduct for others, especially young people or others in
the community that may be watching. |
|
Children that act
like adults will be treated as adults. Adults that act like children will be
asked to leave. |
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