RIFLE/PISTOL RANGE RULES AND REGULATIONS
WILDLIFE ACHIEVEMENT CHAPTER
The Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.
These rules apply to Chapter members and their guests in a general shooting environment. Some may be waived by range safety officials at organized Chapter functions where shooting is strictly supervised. Assume all rules are in effect unless specifically informed otherwise by a safety official at the time of an event.
The following SAFETY and CONDUCT rules for the rifle/pistol ranges also apply to the WAC airgun ranges, except where specifically in conflict with the written rules for those ranges, in which case the airgun range rules take precedence.
1. Adherence to all standard rules of firearms safety is mandatory -- the flagrant violation of safety rules shall be cause for immediate termination of range privileges.
2. Use only firearms which are mechanically safe and sound.
3. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. Aiming and pointing a firearm is only permitted toward the target area from the firing line.
4. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
5. While personnel are in front of the shooting benches or down range, all firearms shall be placed on the shooting bench, unloaded, with action open, chamber empty, magazine removed, and safety on if available. Firearms shall not be touched during this period.
6. Firearms will only be loaded at the firing point immediately prior to shooting. Unattended firearms must be unloaded with action open, chamber empty, magazine removed, and safety on if available.
7. Before leaving the range, all firearms must be unloaded, cleared, and cased or holstered.
8. Misfires shall be handled as follows:
A. DO NOT MAKE A SECOND ATTEMPT TO FIRE!
B. Continue pointing the firearm down range for not less than one minute.
C. Unload and clear the firearm. Visually check the chamber and bore.
D. Dispose of misfire cartridges in the container provided for misfires, or remove them from Chapter property. Do not discard misfires on the ground or in trash containers.
9. The command to “CEASE FIRE” must be obeyed immediately -- this command may be called by anyone in the vicinity. Upon hearing the command, respond as follows:
A. Immediately cease firing, maintain your shooting position, and continue to point your firearm down range. DO NOT TURN AROUND WITH YOUR FIREARM! The reason for and resolution of the cease fire dictates all actions following the command.
B. The individual calling for cease fire must inform all shooters of the reason and immediately proceed with coordinating a resolution.
C. Coordinate clearing the range with all shooters present before firing is resumed.
D. A routine cease fire for access to targets must be coordinated with all shooters to cease firing and for the resumption of firing.
10. Permissible targets include paper, balloons, and frangible, biodegradable items such as candy, crackers and clay pigeons. Such targets must be attached to the target backboard and mounted so they do not obscure the steel target stand frame.
11. Permissible free standing targets include commercially made steel or “self-sealing” plastic targets which swing, spin, or fall when hit by a bullet.
12. Homemade target frames and metal targets must be approved by the Rifle/Pistol Committee Chairman or a designated representative before use on the Chapter ranges.
13. The target being fired upon must be directly in front of the firing point. Shooters must ensure that only one target is in the line of fire.
14. Steel targets must be placed at least 25 yards from the firing line and directly in front of the earth bank backstops.
15. Only unjacketed lead or frangible bullets in the correct caliber for the target are permitted for use on steel targets.
16. Only the firearm in use is permitted at the firing point while shooting.
17. Firearms which are not in use shall be holstered, or stored appropriately behind the shooting position. Firearms stored in the range racks shall be unloaded with action open, chamber empty, magazine removed, and safety on if available.
18. Shooters firing from any position other than bench rest or standing must inform all others present of their intention. The drawing and firing of firearms from holsters by anyone, including law enforcement officers, is prohibited.
19. Smoking and open flames are prohibited in the vicinity of black powder or any bulk powder. The users of these powders must inform all persons in the vicinity that these flammable materials are present and enforce a “no smoking” zone.
20. Eye and ear protection is required for all personnel in the immediate shooting areas.
21. Alcohol and other drugs are not permitted on ranges or range spectator areas. No ingestion of alcohol or other drugs is allowed before or during shooting. Persons under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are not permitted on ranges or range spectator areas.
1. Unauthorized persons using the rifle/pistol ranges will be deemed trespassing. Unauthorized rifle/pistol range users include anyone who does not display a current range-approved membership card, has not signed the range register, has or is a guest who has not signed the range register, or is violating any directives restricting access for use of the ranges.
2. The hours for shooting on the rifle and pistol ranges are from 10 AM (1 PM on range maintenance days) to sunset or 8 PM, whichever is earlier. Modifications to those hours will be posted at the range register and shall take precedence over the standard hours.
3. Only range-approved members and their guests are permitted to shoot on the rifle and pistol ranges.
4. A member’s current range-approved membership card must be visibly displayed on his/her person while using the ranges.
5. Range-approved members shall challenge all shooters not displaying a valid range-approved membership card.
6. All members and guests using the rifle and pistol ranges must sign the range register before proceeding to the ranges, and sign out on the same register before leaving the Chapter grounds.
7. A member may bring a maximum of two guests to the rifle and pistol ranges at a time, and must remain with his/her guests at all times.
8. A non-member may use the ranges as a guest a maximum of two times, except when the individual comes from a distance greater than 75 miles.
9. Members sponsoring guests using the Chapter facilities are personally responsible for the conduct of their guests, and will be liable for damages attributable to their guests.
10. The range-approved spouse of a member is entitled to unsupervised access for use of the rifle and pistol ranges.
11. A member’s child living in his/her household may use the rifle and pistol ranges without adult supervision provided the child has received range approval and is at least 18 years old to use the rifle range and 21 years old to use the pistol range.
12. Children of members are prohibited from bringing guests to the rifle and pistol ranges.
13. A member or spouse bringing children under 18 years old to the rifle and pistol ranges must maintain absolute control over the children’s activities at all times.
14. Members are responsible for keeping the firing and target areas clean and safe, and for picking up and properly disposing of all trash and debris regardless of its origin.
15. Disposal of cartridge cases in trash receptacles is prohibited. Cases must be picked up and placed in a designated container or removed from Chapter grounds.
16. Vehicular traffic to the ranges is prohibited when the range road is closed.
17. Unauthorized off-road vehicular traffic is prohibited at all times.
18. The cost of repairs for any damage to Chapter property and the possible loss of range privileges will be assessed for violations of these rules and regulations.
19. All range-approved members are range officers, and as such, are expected to maintain an attitude of SAFETY, PATIENCE, and COURTESY at all times when using the ranges.
20. Any person witnessing a violation of the Range Rules and Regulations or safety standards is responsible for calling it to the violator’s attention. If the violator is argumentative or uncooperative, disengage immediately and report the violator's identity or vehicle license number to the Chapter caretaker, a Range Safety Officer or other Chapter official. Emergency calls to 911 are authorized if conditions present the possibility of injury to anyone.
FIREARMS
1. Firearms authorized for use on Chapter ranges are restricted to those designed to be fired from the shoulder or hand held and not requiring crew operation.
2. Scale model, black powder cannons not larger than .50 caliber are permitted on the rifle range only. The cannon must be securely anchored to control recoil, and all persons in its vicinity must be advised of its use.
3. Air pellet guns are permitted on the rifle and pistol ranges, and are subject to the same rules as firearms.
4. Shotguns are permitted on the rifle range subject to the following conditions: Those firing single projectile ammunition shall use the target frames provided for rifles, and those firing shot shells shall use the target frames specifically provided for shotgun patterning.
5. Shotguns and all firearms in traditional centerfire rifle calibers are prohibited for use on the pistol range.
6. Handguns in traditional centerfire rifle calibers must be shot on the rifle range. Other handguns are prohibited on the rifle range, except for firing at targets beyond 50 yards.
7. .22 caliber rimfire rifles and air pellet guns are permitted on the pistol ranges.
8. Pistol-caliber carbines are permitted on the open (uncovered) pistol range. Acceptable calibers include 30 M1 Carbine, 357 Magnum, 38 Special, 9mm Luger, 40 S&W, 10mm, 44 Special, 44 Magnum, 44-40 Winchester, 45 ACP, and .45 Colt.
9. Fully-automatic firearms are prohibited. This prohibition also applies to attachments designed to cycle consecutive discharges similar to automatic functioning.
10. Armor piercing, incendiary, tracer, chemical, and explosive projectiles, or devices designed to fire or propel explosive, incendiary, or chemical projectiles are prohibited.
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POLICY ON HANDLING VIOLATIONS OF THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS
Violations of the above rules and regulations may result in the loss of range privileges, and in some cases may lead to expulsion from membership in accordance with the provisions of Article X of the Constitution and by-laws.
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Approved by Board of Directors, April 2, 2003
Supersedes all previous editions.