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GOLDEN TRIANGLE GUN CLUB
Range Safety Rules
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SAFETY & ACCOUNTABILITY
Range Safety Officer AuthorityEvery individual on GTGC property is responsible for following applicable range safety rules. ✔ RSO InstructionsGTGC members, guests of members, and non-members participating in GTGC scheduled competitions or approved events must obey all commands issued by GTGC Range Safety Officers while on club property. ▣ IdentificationIndividuals covered by these rules must display their GTGC membership card and/or state-issued ID when requested by a Range Safety Officer. ⚠ Violations & EnforcementFailure to obey GTGC Range Safety Officer instructions will result in punitive action against the violator. Possible actions include, but are not limited to:
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UNDERSTANDING RANGE SAFETY
Range Lines & CommandsUnderstand the designated boundaries and range conditions before shooting. Firing LineThe line from which gunfire is directed at targets. Unless otherwise marked, this is along the front edge of the concrete and/or shooting bench. It may also be identified by a 4-inch-wide RED painted line or RED signs marked "FIRING LINE" in white lettering. Safety LineIdentified by a 4-inch-wide YELLOW painted line several feet behind the firing line. No one is permitted in front of the YELLOW safety line while other people are downrange and the line is COLD. LINE IS COLDThis command acknowledges that all firearms are unloaded, with actions, bolts or cylinders opened. No handling or touching of firearms is permitted. Everyone must remain behind the YELLOW safety line while people are downrange. LINE IS HOTThis command acknowledges that firearms may be handled, loaded, and firing may begin. Before declaring the line HOT, all shooters must return from downrange and everyone must confirm that no person remains in front of the firing line. Shooters must communicate and acknowledge the HOT condition before resuming activities. ⚠ CEASE FIRE — STOP IMMEDIATELYAnyone who observes an unsafe condition can and should call CEASE FIRE.
Never handle firearms while anyone is downrange. |
OFFICIAL GTGC RANGE RULES
Firearm Safety & Range ProceduresRules 1-11: General firearm safety, firing line procedures, cease-fire commands, and personal protection. 01
Safe Muzzle DirectionALWAYS keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction, usually downrange. 02
Trigger DisciplineALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to shoot. 03
Keep Firearms UnloadedALWAYS keep your firearm unloaded until ready to use. 04
Keep Actions OpenALWAYS keep the action open while people are downrange. 05
No Firearm Handling DownrangeNEVER handle or touch a firearm while people are downrange checking or changing targets. 06
Making the Firing Line COLDAll firearms must be unloaded, ACTIONS OPEN (slides back and bolts or cylinders open), except when firing from the firing line. All firearms on the firing line must have their muzzles pointed downrange. No person is permitted downrange until all shooters on the firing line have:
Shooters may then go downrange. 07
No Firearm Handling While COLDDO NOT HANDLE OR TOUCH ANY FIREARMS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DOWNRANGE. This includes:
EVERYONE must step behind the YELLOW safety line while the range is COLD to ensure no firearms are being touched. 08
Ammunition & MagazinesAmmunition and magazines may be handled BEHIND the YELLOW safety line while people are downrange. You MAY NOT approach the firing line to retrieve magazines or ammunition while people are downrange. Absolutely NO firearms may be handled behind the YELLOW safety line while people are downrange. 09
Returning the Range to HOTOnce all shooters have returned from checking targets downrange, visually confirm that no one remains downrange or in front of a firing line. Shooters must communicate and acknowledge with all other shooters that the range is HOT. Shooters may then approach the firing line, handle their firearms to clean or make necessary sight adjustments, load, and commence firing at their targets. 10
Eye & Hearing ProtectionEye and hearing protection are required for everyone. Hats are encouraged but are not required. 11
CEASE FIRE ProceduresKnow what to do during a CEASE FIRE. STOP, DO NOT MOVE! Seriously, STOP, as this may prevent a negligent discharge. When cleared to do so, set down your firearm, pointed downrange, and STEP AWAY from the shooting booth or bench. If a Range Officer is present, they will give instructions from that point and/or secure all firearms. Anyone can and should call CEASE FIRE when they see something unsafe. ⚠ Safety FirstREAD and OBEY all posted range rules. Posted rules are specific to each range and must be followed in addition to these general rules. |
OFFICIAL GTGC RANGE RULES
Transportation, Targets & EquipmentRules 12-19: Safe transportation, target placement, firing positions, and approved equipment. 12
Transport of FirearmsA. Cases and Bags When possible, members and guests should transport firearms using a gun case, range bag, or gun rug. DO NOT bring firearms to the range in grocery sacks. B. Uncased Firearms All uncased or unholstered firearms transported anywhere on GTGC property must be UNLOADED, with actions or cylinders open (or blocked with a chamber empty flag), safety engaged, and magazine removed when applicable. Rifles and shotguns must be carried with muzzles pointed upward. NO EXCEPTIONS! C. COLD Range Restrictions No uncased or unholstered firearms may be transported to or from shooting ranges while the line is COLD unless specifically authorized by the designated Match Director or Range Safety Officer. Generally, authorization is limited to extended COLD periods when no member or guest is downrange. D. Loaded Firearm Definition A firearm is considered LOADED if any of the following apply:
E. Airguns Pellet and BB rifles and pistols are considered FIREARMS at GTGC and are subject to the same rules. 13
Safe Target PlacementPaper targets must be positioned so all projectiles impact and stop within the impact berm. Check target height and your shooting position to ensure bullets impact the center of the berm. Metal targets must be placed so deflected projectiles do not endanger people or property. Follow range-specific minimum distances for steel targets. NO CROSS FIRING! Shoot only the target directly in front of you. 14
Designated Firing LinesAll firing must take place from the designated firing line for each range. NEVER fire from in front of or behind the designated firing line. 15
No Trash ShootingTrash shooting is prohibited anywhere on GTGC property. Prohibited targets include tin cans, glass containers, ammunition boxes, and other trash. 16
Shotgun PatterningDo not use standard target frames for patterning shotguns. Use only the designated marked area and shotgun target frames. Refer to the posted diagram for target locations. 17
Unserviceable Target FramesRemove unserviceable target frames from the target house and place them on the ground adjacent to that target house. 18
Target Frame LimitsOnly one (1) target frame per shooter is permitted when the range is crowded. A crowded range is defined as 50% of shooting benches or stations being used. 19
Permitted Shooting EquipmentHandheld and shoulder-fired firearms may be fired on appropriate ranges, subject to the Specific Range Rules. Shooting fixtures such as the Ransom Rest and Free Recoil Benchrest Rifles are also permitted. Important ReminderAlways follow the posted rules for the specific range you are using. General GTGC rules apply in addition to individual range requirements. |
OFFICIAL GTGC RANGE RULES
Prohibited Equipment & Safety RequirementsRules 20-26: Prohibited ammunition, automatic-fire restrictions, caliber limitations, health precautions, and approved exceptions. 20
Paintball ProhibitedThe firing of paintball marker guns and paintball pellet ammunition is prohibited. Paintball pellets may not be used as targets. 21
Prohibited ProjectilesThe firing of any type of tracer, armor-piercing, incendiary, or explosive projectile is prohibited. 22
Fully Automatic Firearms & Simulated Automatic FireFIRING OF ANY FIREARM CAPABLE OF FULLY AUTOMATIC FIRE IS NOT PERMITTED. Devices that imitate fully automatic firing of rifles or pistols are prohibited. Examples include:
Any shooting technique that simulates automatic fire is also prohibited. Firearm Exception: Under the supervision of a GTGC Chief Range Safety Officer, a military group, such as the United States Coast Guard, may shoot rifles capable of fully automatic fire during official training or qualification sessions, provided the firearms are fired only in semi-automatic mode. 23
Prohibited CalibersFiring the .50 BMG, or any cartridge based on the .50 BMG cartridge case, is prohibited. The club's prohibited cartridge examples include:
This list is not exhaustive. 24
Eating, Drinking & Lead ExposurePer NRA recommendations, it is suggested that eating and drinking not be done on the firing line. This precaution helps avoid possible ingestion of airborne particulate lead or other dangerous substances. 25
Smoking RestrictionsAs a courtesy to others, smoking is prohibited on or within 20 feet of any firing line or building. 26
Exceptions for Club Events & TrainingAny club-sponsored match, event, or training class requiring a deviation from these Standard Operating Procedures must submit a written request for variance. The request must include supporting rationale and be submitted to the Director of Safety and Training at least two (2) weeks before the intended date of the match, event, or class. ⚠ All Range Rules Remain in EffectMembers, guests, and approved participants must comply with all general GTGC safety rules, posted range-specific rules, and applicable Range Safety Officer instructions. |
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