SAGAMORE RIFLE CLUB RANGE SAFETY RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE SAGAMORE RIFLE CLUB RANGE
I INTRODUCTION
The following Range Rules are established to ensure safety and discipline for members and guests on the Sagamore Rifle Club range and property, as well as the safety of our surrounding community. All privileges require a current un-expired membership card in your possession. Members may not transport or possess firearms on SRC property without processing a valid membership card.
The SAGAMORE Rifle Club outdoor 100 yard range:
Is to be used only for shooting at up to 100 yards. The left side of the range is for rifle, the right side for pistol/revolver. All shooters, regardless of past experience, will be briefed by the Range Safety Officer (RSO) on duty prior to approaching the firing line. The range may be open, from Monday through Sunday. The range may be opened only by a qualified RSO. Scheduled competition matches and tournaments have priority over informal shooting practice.
II GENERAL RANGE RULES
a.) All range facilities shall be restricted for use by current gun club members and their authorized guests only.
You must show your membership card if requested by any member.
b.) A qualified CI (Chief Instructor) or RSO shall be present and officiating at all times when firing is in progress. For the purpose
of this document, when an RSO opens the facility, the RSO will serve as CI.
c.) All shooters shall become familiar with the range safety rules and procedures prior to using the range.
d.) A safety check will be given by the RSO to all new shooters prior to their shooting on the range.
e.) An inexperienced shooter shall be accompanied by an experienced shooter.
f.) All shooting shall be from the firing line positions at paper/metal targets (NO glass targets of any type are allowed).
Targets shall be properly placed on the target holders and in front of the backstop berm.
g.) No intentional shooting shall be permitted at or into the side berms, side walls, baffle system, supporting structures,
Sand bags or the in-field ground. Shoot only so that the projectile impacts the backstop berm.
h.) No "live" or "dud" ammunition shall be left on the range. Unless placed in the appropriate disposal bucket.
i.) Shooters shall police their area after firing by removing trash, "spent" casings, shells, boxes, targets, etc.
j.) No smoking allowed on the firing line. (Non-alcoholic drinking and/ or eating shall be allowed at the RSO discretion)
k.) All vehicles shall be parked in the designated parking area.
l.) Alcoholic beverages and controlled substances shall not be permitted in the range area. Persons deemed "impaired"
by the RSO shall not be permitted on the range.
m.) Loud and abusive language shall not be permitted.
n.) The RSO officiating over the range shall have absolute control over the facility and, at his discretion, may direct
any other person to leave if his actions or behavior are deemed unsafe or unruly. Any person who is denied the use
of the ranges by the RSO may appeal to the Board of Directors. Until such time as an appeal is heard by the
Board of Directors, the decision of the Range Safety Officer is final.
o.) All shooters and spectators shall wear eye and ear protection.
p.) Maintenance, Repairs, Construction, etc, have priority over all informal shooting.
q.) All firearms are to be placed in the rack when not in use (exceptions can be made only by the RSO).
III FIRING LINE RULES
a.) All firearms on the firing line shall be handled in a safe manner. All firearms (Pistols/Revolvers excepted) are to be placed in the rack when not in use (exceptions can be made only by the RSO). Pistols/Revolvers will be unloaded and have their actions open and placed where the RSO deems safe.
b.) No one shall walk or move in front of the firing line for any reason except by the direction of the RSO, who shall ensure that all firearms are unloaded with their actions safe and if appropriate placed in the rack.
c.) All firearms shall be unloaded with their actions and bolt in a safe condition until the shooter is on the firing line.
Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, i.e., up and downrange.
d.) Dry firing of firearms is only permitted on the firing line with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, i.e., up and downrange.
e.) While on the firing line, all shooters shall be subject to the commands of the RSO.
f.) Magazines / Speed Loaders may be tested under the cognizance of the RSO.
g.) If a misfire or jam occurs, the shooter shall signal the RSO (by raising his hand while keeping the muzzle pointed
downrange) who will clear the firearm.
h.) At the "Cease Fire" command, all firearms shall be immediately unloaded and made safe.
i.) Prior to leaving the firing line, a shooter shall unload and make his firearm safe.
j.) All shooters shall be qualified by a RSO prior to the use of the range. All firearms shall be fired from the firing line.
l.) The use of incendiary, or explosive ammunition is strictly prohibited on the 100 yard outdoor range.
m.) The RSO has the authority to examine at any time any firearm or ammunition to determine its suitability for use
on the range.
n.) There will be no handling of firearms when people are downrange.
IV DUTIES OF RANGE SAFETY OFFICER (RSO) HAVING RANGE RESPONSIBILITIES
1 Opening the range:
1.1 Make sure there is no one down range.
1.2 Place the targets in their designated places.
2 Prior to any shooting:
2.1 Inspect membership cards.
2.2 Brief all shooters of posted range rules.
3 Closing the Range:
3.1 Secure all club equipment.
3.2 Check range for cleanness.
3.3 Lock gate..
4 EMERGENCY:
4.1 Personal Injury: To secure aid call 911. Phone located at rest area (left at end of access road ) Return to the injured person and do what you can to help. Post a person, if available, at the end of the road to direct emergency vehicles
4.2 Fire: Call 911, then clear the area. Post a person, if available, at the end of the road
to direct emergency vehicles.
Note: If you shoot alone YOU are the RSO
V BLACK POWDER / MUZZLELOADER RULES
1. Each member is personally responsible to make themselves aware of any changes to the range safety
rules and to abide by the same.
2 No smoking on the firing line or within twenty-five feet of the firing line.
3. No open containers of gun powder will be allowed on the firing line.
4. No smokeless powder will be mixed with black powder or pyrodex at any time
5. No firearm is to be capped, primed, or have live ammo in the chamber until shooter is on the firing line.
6. No alcoholic beverages allowed on the range at any time.
7. No shooting cross range. All shooting will be on straight line with your target shooting to the backstop only.
8. No glass of any kind will be used as targets at any time. All targets will be setup to ensure that the round
impacts into the backstop of the impact area.
9. No unauthorized shooting during scheduled shoots.
10. Firearms are to be treated as loaded at all times.
11. All firearms are to be placed in the rack when not in use (exceptions can be made only by the RSO).
12. Flintlock shooters will advise other shooters before they fire their firearm by yelling "Flintlock".
13. No blowing down the barrel.
14. All members are required to show valid membership card on request.
15. The range is to be used by the Sagamore Rifle Club members and their guests only. VIOLATORS WILL BE
PROSECUTED.
16. Any act or intention deemed as an unsafe practice by the range safety officer or his/her representatives
constitutes a violation of the safety range rules and may lead to expulsion from the range of any individual at any
time.
All Sagamore Rules and NRA Safety Rules and procedures must be obeyed at all times
SAFETY FIRST LAST AND ALWAYS
Revised 6/10/2009