IWAL-WAC Range Rules

RIFLE/PISTOL & OUTDOOR AIRGUN RANGE RULES AND REGULATIONS
WILDLIFE ACHIEVEMENT CHAPTER
The Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.

Safety

Conduct

Range & Firearms

Outdoor Airguns

Violation Policy

These rules apply to Chapter members and their guests in a general shooting environment. Some 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.

1. Adherence to all the following standard rules of firearms safety is mandatory.

2. Anyone found to be in violation of any of our Safety rules may have his/her range privileges suspended pending investigation by the Rifle and Pistol Range Safety Officer Committee, which will present its findings to the Board of Directors for their action.

3. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. Aiming and pointing a firearm is only permitted toward the target area from behind the firing line.

4. 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.

5. Always keep your finger off the trigger until the target is acquired and ready to shoot. Target acquisition involves proper sight alignment and sight picture.

6. Firearms will only be loaded at the firing line immediately prior to shooting. Unattended firearms (during a COLD range condition) must be unloaded, with action open, chamber empty, magazine removed, and safety on if available. Empty Chamber Indicators (ECIs) which are bright orange weed whacker strings are available on the covered Pistol and Rifle Ranges.

7. Commercially made eye protection and ear protection is required for all personnel in the immediate shooting areas. The minimum ear protection rating is recommended at 22 DB or greater.

10. Firearms which are not in use shall be made safe and stored appropriately. On the Pistol Range firearms should be cased and placed on the staging table. On the Rifle Range firearms may be cased or placed uncased on the Rifle Range racks and shall be unloaded with action open, chamber empty, magazine removed, and safety on if available.

11. Shooters firing from any position other than bench rest or standing, such as the prone position, must inform all others present of their intention.

12. The drawing and firing of firearms from holsters by anyone, including law enforcement officers, is prohibited. Only persons that posses a valid Sate or Federal issued wear and carry permit may possess a concealed firearm.
Firearm "MUST" stay concealed at all times.

13. A COLD range condition for access to targets must be coordinated with all shooters to cease firing and for the resumption of firing, which is a HOT range condition.

14. During a COLD range, while personnel are in front of the shooting benches or down range, all firearms must be unloaded, with action open, chamber empty, magazine removed, and safety on if available. Firearms, ammunition, magazines, firearm scopes and accessories anywhere on or in the vicinity of shooting or staging benches shall not be touched during this period.

15. The command to "CEASE FIRE" must be obeyed immediately! This command may be called by anyone in the vicinity who observes an unsafe, dangerous or life-threatening circumstance. Upon hearing the command, all others should take up the CEASE FIRE command and 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 calling a HOT range when firing can be resumed.

b. Since it will not be known if there is a MISFIRE or HANGFIRE, continue pointing the firearm down range for 60 seconds.

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.

17. Each shot must be discharged in a controlled manner to ensure that it hits the target, and no bullets leave the range area.

18. Tactical maneuvers, trick shooting, and hip shooting are not permitted. This applies to all types of firearms.

19. 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.

a. Targets depicting people with human faces are discouraged. Explosive targets (e.g., Tannerite) are strictly prohibited.

20. Permissible free-standing targets include commercially made non-steel or "self-sealing" plastic targets which swing, spin or fall; non-reactive, moving and non-rolling on the ground when hit by a bullet.

21. Only Authorized Special Events may use steel targets with caution. They will be supervised by the event’s coordinator or designated Range Safety Officer and appropriate conduct rules for the event will be delineated before the start of the event.

22. Alcohol and other recreational drugs are not permitted on ranges or range spectator areas. No ingestion of alcohol or recreational or debilitating drugs are allowed before or during shooting. Persons under the influence of alcohol or other debilitating drugs are not permitted on ranges or range spectator areas.

23. Smoking and open flames are prohibited in the vicinity of black powder or any bulk powder. Users of these powders must inform all persons in the vicinity that these flammable materials are present and enforce a "No Smoking" zone.

25. Before leaving the range, all firearms must be unloaded, cleared, and cased or holstered.

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.

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. Only people legally permitted to own or use firearms are allowed to use IWLA/WAC 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. As Range Officers, you are expected to always maintain an attitude of SAFETY, PATIENCE, and COURTESY when using the ranges.

3. All members and guests use of any Chapter range facilities are subject to following Chapter Safety, Conduct and Firearm Rules. Cameras are installed at critical locations and constantly monitored to aid in the safety of our ranges.

4. Anyone found to be in violation of any of our Safety, Conduct and Firearm Rules may have his or her range privileges suspended pending investigation by the Rifle and Pistol Range Safety Officer Committee, which will present its findings to the Board of Directors for their action.

5. The Range Access or Visitor Badge(s) must be visibly displayed on his/her person while on ranges, associated areas and parking lot, whether shooting or not. Range-approved members shall challenge all shooters not displaying a valid badge.

6. Unauthorized persons using the ranges will be deemed trespassing. Unauthorized range users include anyone who does not display a valid Range Access or Visitor Badge, 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.

7. Anyone who is not range approved is a guest. A guest may use the range(s) a maximum of two times per year, except when the individual comes from a distance greater than 75 miles.

8. Eligible children of members (18 or under) are guests, but not limited to the two visits rule. A member or spouse bringing guest children under 18 years old to the ranges must always maintain absolute control over the children’s activities.

9. Guest children are prohibited from bringing guests to the ranges even if they have successfully completed our Club and Range Orientation course.

10. A member may bring a maximum of two guests to the ranges per day and they must visibly display their Visitor Badges. The member must always remain with his/her guests. The member is responsible to instruct their guests on the Safety, Conduct and Firearm rules. If bringing two guests, only one should shoot at a time under the watch care of the member.

11. Any member that loses their Range Access or Visitor Badges must promptly report the loss. There will be a monetary cost for issuing replacement Badges. Access to the ranges will be denied until the Badges are replaced.

12. All members and guests using the ranges must clearly and legibly sign the range register before proceeding to the ranges and sign out on the same register before leaving Chapter grounds.

13. The hours for shooting on the ranges are from 10 AM (12 noon on Range Maintenance days) to the posted closing time. Modifications to those hours will be posted at the range register and available online at the Chapter website, www.damascusiwla.org.

14. 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. Members will be liable for damages attributed to their guests.

15. Use of our family-oriented ranges is strictly for recreational shooting only.

16. Police your brass by placing spent cartridge cases in the designated 5-gallon buckets. Place misfires in the designated cups. Place trash in the large trash containers. Disposal of cartridge cases in trash receptacles is prohibited. Used paper targets may be left on target stand after shooting.

18. No member may use our ranges for commercial training purposes. Using any Chapter range for financial gain, personal or otherwise, jeopardizes our charitable organization status and is a major conduct violation of our range rules.

19. Vehicular traffic to the ranges is prohibited when the range road is closed.

21. Any person witnessing a violation of the Safety, Conduct and Firearm Rules 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.

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, 10, 12, 16, 20 or 28 gauge) on the pistol ranges is not permitted, except authorized sanctioned events. Pistols that fire .410 shotgun ammunition are permitted on the pistol ranges.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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, 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 permitted on our Pistol Ranges.

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.

a. Lanes 1 + 2 are reserved for handicapped and prone shooters who can fire at the 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.

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, 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 a.m. (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 25 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.

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.