Westwood Gun Club Inc

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Please read the following Range Rules and Procedures. These rules and regulations are designed to ensure your visit to the range is safe and enjoyable. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Please Note: We have found target stands that are all shot up, casings not picked up and objects that have been used as targets left behind. Please respect the range and the other club members and leave the range in proper order.
Please remember that the railroad ties at the 100 yard backstopare part of a retaining wall for the backstop.The railroad ties are NOT to be used as a target stand. Please use proper target stands and do not aim at the retaining wall.
No shooting is allowed before9:00 AM Monday- Saturday
No shooting is allowed before 10:00 AMSunday
All Shooting will end no later than ½ hour after sunset (Sunrise and Sunset Table will be posted on the Range bulletin board)

Westwood Gun Club Inc.

25 Trailside Road

Medfield, Ma. 02052

Dear New Member,

We wish to extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of the entire membership of the Westwood Gun Club, Inc. Accompanying this letter is a copy of the Club Rules, Range Rules and Procedures, and the Club Bylaws.

It is your responsibility to read and familiarize yourself with the contents of these enclosures to assist you in your initial indoctrination and provide basic understanding of Club Rules and Procedures.

Note particularly “Section I, New Members”. These instructions are designed to enable you to utilize our Range without unreasonable delay, yet with regard to an overriding need for safety and good community relations. If the Club Rules and Procedures seem overly regulatory to you, please believe that we find this approach necessary in the view of the current climate in which the shooting sports must exist in a metropolitan area.

If you do not fully understand the contents and need assistance in clarification, please do not hesitate to ask an Officer, Director or the Range Officer who will present the Range Safety Lecture prior to issuance of your Club Badge, per Club Rule #12.

Again, welcome and we hope that your membership will be continued for many years, and that your enjoyment of our facilities will be beneficial to you and your family.

Sincerely,

The Executive Committee

RANGE RULES and PROCEDURES

Effective 29 August 1976

Updated 10 March 1990

Updated 25 April 2001

Updated 10 November 2008

Updated July 30, 2012

Section I- New Members

1-New members are considered probationary for one year, per Article III, Section 8 of the Club Bylaws. Continued membership is not a RIGHT, but rather a PRIVILEGE based on the criteria that your actions, contribution, association and performance does not disturb or diminish the wellbeing of the community, the public at large, other sportsmen and members of the Club.

2-New members will be expected to contribute a total of eight hours of work or other Club activities on an annual basis. Failure to do so will result in an assessment under Article III, Section 7 of the Bylaws.

3-You will be permitted to use the Ranges ONLY after you have received a Range Safety Lecture from the Governor or one of his designated assistants. Issuance of the Club Badge and key will follow this lecture.

4-New members unable to attend the Range Safety Lecture on a time specified should contact the Governor to reschedule the lecture.

5-Prior to the date of the Range Safety Lecture, you should read the Club Rules, Range Rules and Procedures, and Bylaws. During the lecture period, you should request clarification of any item that you do not fully understand.

6-Be advised that membership in this Club does not authorize you to carry a firearm (Rifle,Shotgun,Handgun,Machine Gun or Machine Pistol) to the Club grounds. You are subject to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Firearms Laws and must have in your possession current Massachusetts State Licensing Permits and any Federal Permits appropriate to the firearms you are bringing to the Club. It is YOUR responsibility to be aware of changes in the law, and to be in compliance with the law at all times.

7-New members are responsible for their own firearms training and handling.

Section II- Club Rules

1-All members are expected to contribute to the safety of our range operations and the satisfaction derived from participation in the shooting sports available by the strict adherence to the Club Rules.

2-It is impossible and we hope unnecessary, to list in detail every aspect of good conduct applicable to your use of the Club facilities. In general, it is required that you conduct yourself at all times in a reasonable, responsible and courteous manner. Common sense shall be the guide when no definite rule exists.

3-Members are expected to contribute their fair share of the work required to maintain our Club’s facilities, and to conduct regular and special activities on the ranges.

4-All members must legibly sign in on arrival and on departure. You must include the date, time, badge number, activity and the names of any family members and guests. The terms guest or family members includes both adults and minors.

5-The immediate family members of a member are considered guests and their visits to the Club and use of the ranges and facilities is limited only in that the member must be present and must supervise their shootingand activities while at the Club. Only ONE guest at a time may shoot or handle firearms.

6-Guests and immediate family members must fully understand the dangers and safety issues associated with firearms use and that they are subject to Club By-Law, Article XIV Indemnification. It is the member’s responsibility to make each person aware of this Article and its intent. Any family member or guest not agreeing to it cannot access or use the Club facilities. Signing-in or being present on Club property attests the guest’s acceptance of the Club By-Laws.

7-Members with guests must ensure that guests are capable of safe firearms handling and use and understand Range Rules and activities. This is particularly important with minors and guests not experienced or familiar with firearms or shooting activities.

8-A minor guest or minor family member may use the range ONLY under the direct supervision of a regular member. A minor guest must be with a parent, legal guardian, or member having written permission for the minor to be at the Club or participate in activities, who shall be responsible for their use of firearms and participation in activities.

9-No alcoholic beverages of any kind are to be consumed on the property, except on specific occasions authorized by the Executive Committee.

10-No shooting, hunting, trapping, abuse or capture of wildlife is permitted on Club property. Club property is not to be used to access land for the purpose of hunting.

11-No member shall remove any property from the Club grounds except as authorized by the Executive Committee, or by those persons having custody of certain Club property as authorized by their elective or appointed office.

12-Unsafe firearm handling is a threat to members and guests on the range and any wild shot or ricochet leaving the range poses a threat to the surrounding community. No shooting range can remain in operation if valid complaints are made to the authorities of unsafe conditions.

13-No member shall utilize the Club’s name, property, supplies, or activities for a personal venture without prior approval of the Executive Committee.

14-All new members shall attend the Range Safety Lecture presented by the Governor or his designated assistant prior to the issuance of the Club Badgeandkey for use of the Range.

15-A member may request that the Club (through the President) issue a letter for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the licensing authority of his home or place of business for purpose of filing an application for an FID/LTC Permit.

16-The last member leaving the Club shall: make sure any stove fires are out or under control, secure all buildings and property, lock doors, pick up any trash, close the chain gate and lock after leaving the driveway.

Section III- Range Rules and Procedures

1-Members must legibly sign in and out by name and badge number at the range sign in sheet whenever they use the facility. Members will sign in members of their family and guests by name accompanying them to the Club.

2-Only one guest at a time may shoot in the presence of the host member, and the member must observe and supervise his guest’s shooting.

3-Members must wear their current Club Badge in a visible location when shooting.

4-Plinking at cans or objects other than at regulation targets fastened to target frames of appropriate height for the range and shooting position is allowed ONLY as long as all plinking targets are picked up and disposed of properly. All shots must strike the appropriate backstop. No fanning or trick type shooting is allowed. No glass or ceramics of any type are allowed as targets. Plastic bottles and balloons are allowed. No tannerite or explosive targets are allowed.

5-No objects (balloons, paper plates etc.) shall be placed as targets on or against the wood target frames or thrown in the air on the rifle or pistol ranges to be shot at.

6-No firearms will be fired on Sundays before 10:00 am except during Club sponsored events and / or approved activities or matches.

7-Rifles larger than 22 rim fire shall not be used on the Pistol Range.

8-Use of armor piercing ammo or ammo larger than 300 magnum on steel targets is NOT permitted.

9-Range hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00am – ½ hour after sunset. Sundays 10:00am- ½ hour after sunset. Sunrise/Sunset chart will be posted at the range.

10-You may go forward of the firing line only when all firearms are unloaded, have actions open, are resting on a bench, and all shooters are clear of their firearms. The rifle and pistol ranges must both be clear and a visual and verbal confirmation must be made with any shooters on the trap range and trap tower. Shooters on the trap tower will give final approval of an “ALL CLEAR” call as they have the best vantage point to survey the range. There is absolutely NO handling of firearms or ammunitionon the range while there is anyone down range.

11-Actions must be open and firearms clear with magazines out, or cylinder open at all times except when actually firing. All firearms must be cleared immediately after firing, and no loaded firearm may be allowed to rest on a bench unattended. Loaded firearms are to be handled on the firing line only.

12-When shooters are on the firing line, firearms must be pointed down range at all times, with the muzzle pointed below the top of the backstop, whether loaded or unloaded. If a misfire or hang fire occurs, keep the muzzle pointed down range for 30 seconds, then clear the firearm and dispose of the round in the red oil-filled can designated for disposal of live ammunition. This can is located halfway down the rifle and pistol ranges secured to a wood post.

13-Check your line of sight to your target. Your target must be attached to a target frame at such a height that the bullets will impact upon the backstop. Objects/targets will not be placed on the backstop retaining wall.

14-Rifles, shotguns and handguns may be loaded to capacity.

15-Shooters will police their firing point to include placing all reloadable brass in the brass bucket. Non-reloadable brass and steel cases are to be disposed of properly in either the trash cans or brass recycle bin. When trash cans are full, please empty them in the dumpster.

16-Members must be in possession of all appropriate licenses for the firearms that they are shooting or brought to the Club for any purpose.

17-All immediate rulings of the on duty Range Safety Officer shall be obeyed. Members who believe that the immediate action taken by the RSO is technically incorrect, or is personally offensive, may make a complaint either personally or in writing to the Executive Committee.

18-SAFETY IS THE FIRST PRIORITY AT WESTWOOD GUN CLUB, INC. It is the personal obligation of every member to either correct or if necessary, report any violation of Range Rules and Procedures to the Governor or to a Range Safety Officer. Please take corrective action politely.

19-All the possible unsafe acts that may occur on the range cannot be covered in these Range Rules and Procedures. Any such actions which are not covered in these rules shall be immediately subject to the Governor’s rulings, which will remain in force until said ruling is appealed in writing to the Executive Committee for a hearing to endorse, modify or invalidate said ruling.

20-The use of full- automatic firearms MAY be allowed with the prior permission of the Executive Committee.

21-Use of tracer ammunition is prohibited.

22-Bump firing of any rifle or pistol is NOT permitted.

23-Use of Club wood target holders for full auto shooting is NOT permitted.

24-Patterning of shotguns is permitted. Frames specifically designated for this activity are stored in the pistol shed. These frames must be set at the 40 yard position and returned to the pistol shed when finished.

25-Return all target frames to appropriate storage sheds when finished shooting.

26-Check trap shooting area for specific rules at that facility.

27-Eye and ear protection must be worn by shooters and guests at the firing line when the Range is HOT whether or not they are handling firearms.

Section IV - Special Range Rules for Black Powder Shooting

1-Cans or other containers of black powder may be open on the firing line only during loading, and will be closed, or capped prior to firing.

2-No shooter will have more than one pound of black powder on the firing line.

3-Black powder shooters will not smoke on the firing line, nor will any persons in the same bay where muzzle loading firearms are being loaded and fired.

4-Shooters of flintlock firearms which do not have a deflecting guard on the pan will assure that no person is within ten feet of, and in line with, the lock of their firearm at the time of firing.

5-Muzzle loading firearms can ONLY be made safe by firing. If an immediate cease fire is required on the range and such firearm cannot be fired, the percussion cap or priming will be removed, and the firearm will be racked with the muzzle up under direct control of the shooter until such time as it can be fired.

Section V - Special Rules for Long Range Shooting

1-Long range shooting will only take place with a Range Safety Officer (RSO) or his designee present. NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule will be allowed, and violation will result in suspension or expulsion from the Club.

2-The road to the 100 yard range will be blocked off, with all traffic diverted to the appropriate parking area. Use of a saw horse or other device is approved to divert vehicles.

3-A special lock will be placed on the chain link gate leading to the 100 yard range after confirmation that all people have exited from the 100 yard range area. A RSO and scorers may secure themselves behind the pistol backstop and behind the tire wall, only when radio communications are established with the RSO at the firing line. The down range RSO will have complete authority to cease fire at any time necessary.

4-The “RANGE CLOSED UNTIL COMPLETION OF LONG RANGE FIRING” sign will be placed on the saw horse blocking the road to the 100 yard range.

5-At the long range shooting line, three shooters may fire from the offhand deck, and three shooters may fire from the bench shed when the command to commence fire is given from the RSOAt the long range yard lines five shooters may fire at once.

6-If, at any time, radio communication with the RSO and scorers downrange should fail, an immediate cease fire will be called, and firing suspended until communications can be restored. If communications cannot be maintained, the RSO and scorers will be brought back to the firing line and firing may continue.

7-When all long range shooting is completed for the day, firearms will be made safe, theRSO will unlock the chain link gate, shooters will police their brass and trash, and the target frames will be brought back to the target shed. A RSO must return the sign, lock and chain, and saw horse to the long range shed and secure the shed.

July 30, 2012