RIFLE/PISTOL & OUTDOOR
AIRGUN 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 rules may be waived by Range Safety Officers
at organized Chapter functions where shooting is strictly supervised
Assume all rules are in effect unless specifically informed otherwise by a Range
Safety Officer at the time of an event.
The following SAFETY and CONDUCT rules for the Rifle and Pistol Ranges also
apply to the Chapter Outdoor Air Gun ranges, except where specifically in
conflict with the written rules for those ranges,
in which case the Outdoor Air Gun range rules take precedence.
SAFETY
1) Adherence to all the following standards rules of firearms safety is
mandatory and applies to Chapter members and guests.
2) All ranges (Rifle, Pistol, and Outdoor airgun) are considered to be HOT
ranges, as indicated by the red NRA warning flags which will always be flown at
range entrances.
3) A COLD range must be coordinated with all shooters to cease firing, ensure
that all shooters have acknowledged a cold range.
4) Condition of firearm during a COLD range: Action open, Chamber empty,
Magazine removed, Safety on, Muzzle pointed down range, Empty chamber indicator
encouraged, Shooter stand back from the firing line.
No handling of firearms, magazines,
or ammunition during a cold range.
5) All firearms must be in safe working condition.
6) A HOT range MUST be coordinated with all shooters to resume firing, ensure
that all shooters have acknowledged a HOT range.
7) Under NO circumstances should anyone go beyond the firing line during a
HOT range.
8) Only ONE firearm is permitted on the firing line.
9) ALL additional firearms must remain cased and kept back in the staging
area or rifle rack. Rifles can be uncased when in the rifle rack.
10) 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.
11) Permissible targets include paper, balloons and biodegradable items such as
clay pigeons. Such targets must be attached to the target backboard, NOT cover
the steel target frame.
Clay pigeons may be placed on
the berm (NO higher than five feet).
12) Permissible free-standing targets include non-steel or “self-sealing”
plastic targets which swing, spin, or fall. They should not move or roll on the
ground when hit by a bullet.
13) Explosive targets (e.g. Tannerite) or tracer rounds are strictly
prohibited.
14) Targets depicting human faces are prohibited.
15) Steel targets are NOT allowed. Only Authorized Special Events may use steel
targets when supervised by the event’s coordinator and/or designated Range
Safety Officer (RSO).
16) Members with GUESTS must instruct and closely supervise their guest’s
shooting and must NOT shoot at the same time their guest(s) is shooting. If a
member has two (2) guests, those guests must not shoot at the same time.
17) Firearms shall only be loaded at the firing line immediately prior to
shooting and only during a HOT range.
18) Aiming and shooting a firearm is only permitted toward the target area from
BEHIND the firing line.
19) Always keep your finger off the trigger until the target is acquired, you
are aware of what is beyond the target, and the shooter is ready to shoot.
20) Each shot fired must be discharged in a controlled manner. No bullets
should leave the range area.
21) Shooters firing from any position other than bench rest or standing MUST
inform all shooters present of their intention (on the rifle range display the
red flag located on the right side of ALL benches).
22) MISFIRES shall be handled as follows: DO NOT MAKE A SECOND ATTEMPT TO
FIRE!! Continue pointing the firearm down range for 60 seconds. Visually check
the chamber and bore. Dispose
of misfire cartridges in the
container provided.
23) The drawing and firing of firearms from holsters by anyone is prohibited.
Only Authorized Special Events may draw from holster but require to be
supervised by the event’s coordinator and/or designated RSO
and have their own specific range
rules and required training.
24) Tactical maneuvers, trick shooting, and hip shooting are not permitted.
25) The command to “CEASE FIRE” MUST be obeyed IMMEDIATELY!! Stay in your
shooting position. DO NOT TURN AROUND WITH YOUR FIREARM!! KEEP your firearm
pointed downrange.
26) CEASE FIRE can be called by ANYONE in the vicinity who observes an unsafe,
dangerous or life-threatening circumstance.
27) The individual calling CEASE FIRE must inform all shooters of the reason
and immediately proceed with coordinating a resolution. The individual
coordinates clearing the range before calling a HOT range when firing can
resume.
28) Dress appropriate for outside shoot events. Closed toe shows ARE
appropriate. Open toe shoes are NOT appropriate.
29) Eye protection is required for ALL persons in the shooting areas, even
spectators.
30) Ear protection is required for ALL persons in the shooting areas, even
spectators. The minimum ear protection rating protection is at 22 dB.
31) Before leaving the range, all firearms must be unloaded, cleared, and cased
or holstered and only during a HOT range.
32) When moving from the parking lot to the range (rifle or pistol) and leaving
the range to the parking lot, ALL firearms must be unloaded, cleared, and cased
or holstered. If holstered, pistols must be in a range bag.
Moving an un-cased firearm to/from a
range (rifle/pistol) is a safety violation.
It is highly recommended that all
members who shoot on our ranges take the NRA Basic Rifle & Pistol courses. These
classes expand on safety, fundamentals of shooting and basic firearm knowledge.
CONDUCT
1) The IWLA-WAC is a private club. Only authorized members and their guests
are permitted to use WAC Ranges which include the Rifle, Pistol and Outdoor Air
Gun Ranges. Successful completion of the Club and Range
Orientation grants
the status of Qualified Range Officer after which a Range Access Badge, Visitor
Badges and Gate Access cards will be issued.
2) Before entering chapter ranges, Members MUST sign in. Members MUST sign
in their Guests.
3) All members and guests who use of ANY Chapter range facilities are
subject to the Chapter Safety/Conduct Rules and Responsibilities.
4) Only people legally permitted to own, use, or possess firearms under
federal and state law are allowed to use the ranges.
5) As Range Officers, you are expected to always maintain an attitude of
SAFETY, PATIENCE, and COURTESY when using the ranges.
6) The Range Access or Visitor Badge(s) MUST be visibly displayed on
his/her person while on chapter ranges.
7) Members must challenge all shooters not displaying a range or visitor
badge.
8) Members must challenge a person violating any of the Range
Safety/Conduct and Firearm Rules.
9) If the violator is argumentative or uncooperative, disengage immediately
and report the violator’s identity or vehicle license number to a Range Safety
Officer or other Chapter Official. Emergency calls to 911
are authorized if conditions present
the possibility of injury.
10) Unauthorized persons using the ranges will be deemed trespassing. They
include anyone: who does not display a valid Range Access or Visitor Badge, who
has not signed the range register, who has or is a guest who
has not signed the range register, or
who is violating any directive restricting access for use of the ranges.
11) A member may bring a maximum of two guests to the ranges per day, and all
parties must visibly display their badge(s).
12) The member is responsible for instructing and supervising their guests on
the Safety, Conduct and Firearm rules and overseeing that their guests follow
these rules.
13) Anyone who is not range approved is a guest. A guest may only use the
range(s) a maximum of two (2) times per year, except when the individual comes
from a distance greater than 75 miles.
14) Eligible children of members under 18 are guests, but NOT limited to the
two visits rule. A member or spouse bringing children under 18 years old to the
ranges must maintain absolute control over the children’s activities and follow
guest related rules.
15) Children of members are prohibited from bringing guests to the ranges.
16) Any member that loses their Range Access or Visitor Badges must promptly
report the loss. There will be a monetary cost for issuing replacements. Access
to the ranges will be denied until Badges are replaced.
17) Members will be liable for damages attributed to themselves and their
guests.
18) Clean up your brass by placing spent cartridge cases in the designated
5-gallon buckets. Place misfires in the designated cups.
19) Place trash in the large trash containers. Targets can be left on the
target stands.
20) Pets are NOT permitted on the ranges at ANY time.
21) Vehicular traffic to the ranges is prohibited when the range road is
closed.
22) Unauthorized off-road vehicular traffic is always prohibited.
23) No-one is allowed to walk to the ranges.
24) The hours for shooting on the ranges are from 10:00 a.m. (12:00 noon on
Range Maintenance days) to the posted closing time. Modifications to these hours
will be posted at the Range Sign-in Box and available online
at the chapter website
(www.damascusiwla.org).
25) No member may use club ranges for commercial training purposes. Using ANY
Chapter range for financial gain jeopardizes our charitable organization status
and is a major conduct violation of our range rules.
Violating this rule could lead to
suspension or expulsion from the club.
26) Anyone found to be in violation of any of our Safety, Conduct and Firearm
Rules may have his/her range privileges suspended pending an investigation.
Infractions incurred by a guest are considered infractions incurred
by the hosting member. The findings
will be presented to the Board of Directors for their action.
27) Before leaving chapter grounds: Members MUST sign out. Members MUST sign
out their Guests.
RANGE & FIREARMS
1) The “Pistol Ranges” are designed for the exclusive use of pistol caliber
ammunition. All firearms (pistols and rifles) shooting pistol caliber ammunition
are permitted on the Pistol Ranges. Firearms shooting rifle caliber
ammunition are not permitted on the
Pistol Ranges. Use of Shotgun firearms (.410 shot type shells, 10, 12, 16, 20 or
28 gauge) on the pistol ranges is not permitted, except authorized sanctioned
events.
Pistols that fire
.410 slug ammunition are permitted on the pistol ranges.
2) Acceptable handgun (pistol) ammunition calibers include: all rim fire,
.30 M1 Carbine, .32 ACP, .327, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .380, 9mm Luger, .40
S&W, 10mm, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .44-40 Winchester,
. 45 ACP, .45 Colt, 5.7mm, .410 slug
and .460/.500 (S&W). If you do not see the caliber listed, please contact the
Rifle and Pistol Chairperson. Pistols using .410 shot shells are NOT permitted
on our Pistol Ranges. Pistols using
.410 shot shells can be used on the
patterning board located on the rifle range (lane 11).
3) The “Rifle Range” is designed for both pistol and rifle caliber
ammunition. All rifles shooting pistol or rifle ammunition are permitted on the
Rifle Range. Handguns shooting pistol caliber ammunition are only allowed on the
Rifle Range when firing at the 75-
and 100-yard targets from lanes 9 & 10. Handguns firing pistol caliber
ammunition at the 50-yard targets are not allowed because there is a 50-yard
Pistol Range. Pistols chambered for
.410 shot shells can only be fired at
the shotgun patterning board located on the far right bench on the rifle range
(lane 11).
4) All ranges (Rifle, Pistol and Outdoor Air Gun) are considered to be HOT
ranges as indicated by the red NRA warning flags which will always be flown at
range entrances.
5) Firearms authorized for use on Chapter ranges are restricted to those
designed to be fired from the shoulder or handheld and not requiring crew
operation.
6) Firearms capable of three-shot burst, bump-stock or fully automatic fire
may not be brought onto Chapter property. This prohibition applies to
attachments designed to cycle consecutive discharges similar to automatic
functioning.
7) Armor piercing, incendiary, tracer, chemical and explosive projectiles,
or devices designed to fire or propel explosive, incendiary or chemical
projectiles are prohibited.
8) Air pellet guns are permitted on the Rifle and Pistol Ranges and are
subject to the same rules as firearms.
9) Rifle Range Lanes are designated as follows:
a. Lanes 1 + 2 are reserved for
handicapped and prone shooters who can fire at the 100 yard targets.
b. Lanes 3-8 are for shooters
firing at the 50 & 100 yard targets.
c. Lanes 9 + 10 are for firing
at the 75 & 100 yard targets.
d. Lane 11 is for the exclusive
use of shotgun patterning board set at 40 yards. This patterning board may not
be moved and firing at the patterning board with anything other than shotgun
(shot) ammunition is strictly prohibited.
e. Those shotguns firing single
projectile (slug) ammunition may use the target frames from lanes 3-10.
10) 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.
OUTDOOR AIR GUNS
The safety and conduct rules for air guns are the same as noted above for
firearms, but with the following additional rules.
1. On the covered air gun range and the field target lanes eye protection is
mandatory, and hearing protection is optional.
2. The covered air gun range is considered a HOT range and the red NRA warning
flag will always be flown at its entrance.
3. The covered air gun range can be used by any range approved member from 10:00
AM (12:00 PM on Chapter Maintenance Days) until the closing hour posted at the
sign-in box outside the Chapter House.
4. On the covered air gun range only rifles and pistols of up to and including
.25 caliber are permitted. Air rifles and pistols above .25 caliber can only be
fired on the Rifle/Pistol Ranges. Air rifles of any caliber are permitted on
the
Rifle/Pistol Ranges and are subject to the same rules
as firearms.
5. Shooting at the covered air gun range can be done from the benches or from
the ground. In no case may any body part of the shooter be forward of the
firing line.
6. On the covered air gun range, BB guns can shoot at paper targets in the
marked lanes (lanes 1 and 2). On the covered air gun range, BB guns can shoot
at metallic targets ONLY if they are farther than 15 yards to avoid ricochet.
7. Metallic targets must be placed 15 yards or beyond for the covered air gun
range.
8. On the covered air gun range, no targets should be placed on the berm or
above the height of the berm.
9. Air guns more powerful than 20 ft-lb cannot be used on any field target lane
type target.
10. The Field Target Lanes are used for sanctioned events. During an event
using the Field Target Lanes, the covered air gun range will be closed due to
safety considerations. Check the Chapter calendar at damascusiwla.org for
scheduled field target range events.
POLICY ON HANDLING VIOLATIONS OF THESE RULES AND
REGULATIONS
Violations of the above rules and regulations will be evaluated by the Chapter
Firearm Safety Subcommittee. Loss of range privileges may occur depending on
the severity of the violation and in some cases may lead to expulsion
from membership in accordance with the provisions of Article X of the
Constitution and By-Laws
Approved by Board of Directors: June 3, 2026
Amended
June 3, 2026 November 2024
March 2, 2022 November 3, 2021
June 30, 2021 November 15, 2017
November 1, 2017 February 1, 2017
June 4, 2014
Supersedes all previous editions