AR&PC Range Rules

(Revised 6/7/07)

 

1.   Hours of Operation.

 

1.1.    Outdoor range hours are sunrise to sunset 7 days a week

1.2.    Indoor matches may be conducted after dark.

 

2.   Use of Club facilities.

 

2.1.     Club facilities shall be used only by members and invited guests, or as otherwise directed by the Executive Committee.

2.2.     Anyone on or using Club facilities is subject to all Club Rules.

2.3.     Members and their accompanied guests may use outdoor ranges whenever the ranges are not being used for scheduled activities (matches, educational events, work parties).  Unaccompanied guests may only participate in scheduled activities.

2.4.     The Indoor range shall only be used for scheduled activities and is not open for individual use.

2.5.     Third parties wishing to use Club facilities shall contact the Club President for approval of their event or activity.

2.5.1.  The Club President shall coordinate the approval process with affected Division Directors.

2.5.2.  If approved, the Club President shall provide the third party written authorization for their event.  The written authorization shall include the name of the Division Director or designated Club Match Director responsible for event oversight (see 9.3.2).

2.5.3.  For the purposes of section 2.5, if the President is unavailable, the Vice President may act in his place.

 

3.   Access to Club facilities.

 

3.1.     Except for scheduled activities the gates shall be kept locked.

3.2.     Members shall lock the gate behind them when entering or leaving the property, unless the ‘Leave Gate Open Match Today’ sign is displayed.

3.3.     Everyone shall sign in before shooting.

3.3.1.  If participating in a scheduled activity, sign in with the Match Director or Course Instructor.

3.3.2.  Members not participating in a scheduled activity shall complete a sign-in card at the lockbox just inside the front gate.  Members shall enter their member number, time of arrival, range(s) on which they intend to shoot, and the number of accompanied guests.

3.4.     Except for scheduled activities the Indoor Range building shall be kept locked.

 

4.   Speed Limit on Club Property.

 

4.1.     The speed limit is 10 mph on Club property

 

5.   Identification while on Club Property

 

5.1.     Each member shall prominently display a membership card while on Club property.

5.2.     Each accompanied guest shall prominently display a guest card while on Club property.

5.3.     Individuals not displaying a membership or guest card are assumed to be unaccompanied guests participating in a scheduled activity.

 

6.   General behavior while on Club property.

 

6.1.     Discourtesy on Club property is prohibited. 

6.1.1.  Mind your manners. 

6.1.2.  Be mature, and listen if your behavior is questioned. 

6.1.3.  If you’re wrong, admit it, apologize, and correct your behavior immediately. 

6.1.4.  If you’re right, don’t argue.  Be polite at all times.  Remain disciplined and mindful of proper and safe procedures.

6.2.     Do not embarrass or imperil the Club by your behavior.  Remember that you’re representing over 400 fellow members to guests, neighbors, and the community. 

 

7.   Guests, family members, children and pets.

 

7.1.     Members are responsible for their accompanied guests.

7.1.1.  Don’t bring more people than you can properly supervise

7.1.2.  Don’t bring people that won’t be supervised.

7.1.3.  Don’t loan gate/Club keys to non-members.

7.2.     Match Directors or Course Instructors are responsible for non-members (“unaccompanied guests”) participating in scheduled matches or educational events.

7.3.     Accompanied guests (and Family Members under 18) shall shoot ONLY when under the direct voice-control supervision of an adult member using a normal, conversational level of speech.

7.4.     Unaccompanied guests shall shoot only under the supervision of a Match Director, Course Instructor, or Division Director.

7.5.     Children are allowed on Club property only when accompanied by an adult who shall be responsible for their safety and behavior.  Children shall be kept out of danger behind the firing line and shall not interfere with or distract shooters.

7.6.     Bringing pets to the Club is discouraged. 

7.6.1.  Pets on Club property shall either be confined to a vehicle or leashed.

7.6.2.  Pets exhibiting aggressive behavior or being a nuisance shall be removed from Club property immediately. 

 

8.   Range Use Priority

 

8.1.     Scheduled Club matches and activities take precedence over non-competitive shooting.

8.2.     Club matches and activities take precedence over third party events.

 

9.   Division Director/Match Director/Instructor Authority

 

9.1.     A Division Director is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of their range.  As such, they have control over shooters’ and spectators’ conduct on that range. 

9.1.1.  The Division Director may deviate from any rule to the extent required to safely and efficiently meet the objectives of an approved match or training program.

9.1.2.  Each Division Director who deviates from a rule under paragraph 9.1.1 shall, upon the request of the President or the Executive Committee, send a written report of the deviation to the President.

9.2.     Non-compliance with a Division Director’s instructions or admonitions is grounds for immediate expulsion from the Club property. It also places the offender in jeopardy of being barred from the range and having his/her Club membership terminated.

9.3.     A Club member acting as Match Director or Course Instructor of a scheduled activity has Division Director Authority during their entire event.

9.3.1.  Nonmembers are not eligible for Division Director Authority.

9.3.2.  Third party activities on Club property shall be overseen by the Division Director or by a Club member designated by the Club President as the Match Director for the event.  The Division Director or designated Match Director shall be physically present during the entire third party event.

 

10. Safety Officers

 

10.1.   Every member is a de facto Safety Officer. 

10.1.1. You must speak up if unsafe situations are observed.  Be polite, diplomatic, but firm.

10.1.2. Seniority is no excuse for unsafe acts.  What was entirely acceptable years ago may now be prohibited. Safety outranks seniority.

10.2.   In a real or potential emergency, such as a range incursion by a child or animal, individuals have a duty to call “Cease Fire.” It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure these situations are announced, acknowledged, and resolved.  Safety outranks schedules.

 

11. General Range Rules

 

11.1.   Handle and use firearms safely, protecting both those on Club property and our neighbors.

11.1.1. When handling a firearm, don’t cover anybody with your muzzle.  While on a firing line, point muzzles downrange.

11.1.2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire.

11.1.3. Behind the firing line firearms shall be completely unloaded.  The chamber and fixed magazine shall be empty.  Loaded detachable magazines shall be removed from the firearm.

11.1.3.1. Rifles, shotguns, and unholstered pistols being carried shall have actions open.

11.1.3.2. Rifles and shotguns in a rifle rack shall be muzzle up with actions open.

11.1.3.3. Actions that cannot be locked open shall be propped open with an inert object.

11.1.3.4. Openly carried holstered pistols shall be worn unloaded with hammers down and, if semiautomatics, magazines removed.

11.1.3.5. Cased firearms shall be uncocked and unloaded in accordance with 11.1.3.

11.1.4. When people are to be forward of the firing line, “Cease Fire” shall be called.

11.1.4.1. Before anyone moves forward of the firing line, all firearms shall be unloaded.

11.1.4.1.1.   Openly carried pistols may be holstered in accordance with 11.1.3.4.

11.1.4.1.2.   Firearms may be cased in accordance with 11.1.3.5.

11.1.4.1.3.   All other firearms shall have actions opened and shall be tabled, grounded, or racked.

11.1.4.2. Firearms shall not be handled while people are down range.

 

Note:  During scheduled matches, Match Directors, under the authority of Rule 9.1.1, may permit movement of inspected unloaded firearms to facilitate the smooth functioning of the match.

 

11.1.5.    The following individuals are exempt from the requirements of sections 11.1.3 and 11.1.4. concerning the need to unload certain firearms.

11.1.5.1. Holders of Concealed Handgun Licenses carrying loaded concealed handguns in compliance with applicable Texas statutes are exempt insofar as their concealed handguns are concerned.

11.1.5.2. Peace officers displaying a badge are exempt insofar as their duty sidearms are concerned.

 

11.2.   Shoot only from the proper firing line at a properly prepared target placed in the proper location.

11.2.1. All shooting shall be done from behind a firing line.

11.2.2. Load only on a firing line.

11.2.3. Shoot only at paper targets.  Shooting at cans, bottles, clay pigeons, trash, rocks, etc., is forbidden.

 

Note: Part of our Hunters’ Safety Program includes the shooting of clay targets. This takes place only under the direct supervision of an HSP instructor, under the authority of Rule 9.1.1, at the East end of the Smallbore range awning.

 

11.2.4. Metal targets of any sort are prohibited (ricochet hazard).

11.2.5. Do not shoot at level ground (ricochet hazard).

11.2.6. Aerial shotgun shooting is prohibited (shot does not impact a backstop).

11.2.7. Target frames shall be installed only in the proper frame holders.  Do not lean frames against the backstop(s).

11.2.7.1. Return Club target frames to their respective boxcars you’re finished shooting.

11.2.7.2. You may use personal target frames as long as they are made of wood or plastic and match the height and width of the Club frames.   Metal frames are prohibited.

11.2.8. No game hunting on Club property.

 

11.3.   Every fired bullet must safely impact a backstop on Club property.

11.3.1. Position targets on target frames to ensure bullets safely impact the range backstop.

11.3.2. When shooting at targets with multiple bullseyes, confirm that bullets through each bullseye will result in safe bullet impact.

11.3.3. Point the muzzle at the range backstop when loading. Loaded firearms shall not be pointed above the top of a range backstop. 

11.4.   Shooters shall know the condition and safe operation of firearms in their possession and shall use the correct ammunition for each firearm.

11.5.   Know and obey all range commands.

11.6.   Climbing on berms or digging in backstops is forbidden unless it’s related to maintenance.

 

12. Prohibited Items

 

12.1.   Class III (fully automatic) firearms, select-fire firearms set to full-auto or multi-shot burst fire, “inertia” trigger-actuators (i.e. Hellfire), or crank-type trigger actuators are prohibited.

12.2.   Firearms capable of firing the 50 Caliber BMG (Browning Machine Gun) round are prohibited.

12.3.   Incendiary ammunition is prohibited.

12.4.   Tracer ammunition is prohibited.

12.5.   Alcoholic beverages or intoxicants of any kind are prohibited on Club property.

 

13. Personal Protective Equipment

 

13.1.   Hearing protection is required on all ranges.  Be courteous of arriving and departing shooters.  Refrain from shooting until they can don their “ears”, and allow them to remove their hearing protection and depart the range before resuming your shooting.

13.2.   Eye protection is required on all ranges.

 

14. Property or Equipment Left on Premises.

 

14.1.   The Club shall not be responsible for personal property or issued equipment left on Club premises.

 

15. Damage to Club Property or Equipment

 

15.1.   Members causing damage to Club property or equipment are liable for such damage and are responsible for repair or replacement.  (This includes Club target frames.)

15.2.   If an accompanied guest damages Club property/equipment, the host member is responsible for repair or replacement.

 

16. Range Maintenance

 

16.1.   Littering is prohibited. Place trash in the appropriate receptacles.

16.2.   Police the range every time you shoot.  Pick up or sweep your brass off the firing line.

16.3.   Other than ammo, if you bring it in, take it with you when you leave.  Garbage draws flies.

16.4.   Third party events shall include trash management as part of their program and shall take their garbage with them when they leave.

 

17. Special Range Rules: Indoor Range:

 

17.1.   Ammunition shall be safe for use with the current backstop and bullet trap.

17.1.1. Only lead bullets may be fired in the indoor range. No jacketed or clad bullets are permitted.

17.1.2. Only .22 rimfire or conventional pistol calibers are permitted.

17.2.   Loaded firearms shall be pointed at the backstop.

 

18. Special Range Rules: Smallbore Range

 

18.1.   Position shooting of smallbore and centerfire rifles is permitted only on the Smallbore Range.

18.2.   Loaded firearms shall not be pointed above the top of the backstop.  (11.1.1.2) Watch your muzzle!

18.3.   Centerfire rifles may be fired on the Smallbore range at a correct target placed at 100 yards.

18.3.1. Use the Short (100 yard) Benchrest target frames only.  Do not shoot centerfire rifles at the narrow Smallbore target frames with the solid backers.

18.3.2. Centerfire rifles shall be fired only at targets on the 100 yard line.  Bullets fired at targets closer than 100 yards may not impact the backstop properly.

18.4.   Handguns chambered for centerfire rifle calibers shall be considered centerfire rifles on the Smallbore Range.

18.5.   Handguns chambered for conventional pistol calibers shall not be fired on the Smallbore Range.  Use either the Action Pistol Ranges or the Outdoor Pistol Range.

 

19. Special Range Rules: Action Pistol Ranges (Pits)

 

19.1.   These ranges are provided to allow Club members to practice practical shooting techniques using pistols and pistol-caliber carbines.

19.1.1. Shotgun use is restricted to matches under the direct supervision of the Division Director or Match Director.  (Shotguns really tear up target frames.)

19.1.2. Rifle caliber firearms, including M1 Carbines, AK’s, SKS’s, Mini 14’s and 30’s, AR’s, and 30-30’s, are prohibited. 

19.2.   All shooting on these ranges shall impact the north backstop.  Shooting east or west is forbidden.

19.3.   There is no conventional fixed Firing Line on these ranges: the Firing Line is where the designated shooter is firing.  Shooters may position themselves any distance from the target, up to the 15 or 30 yard maximum available within the respective pits.

19.4.   Only one shooter (‘the designated shooter’) shall be on the firing line at any time.

19.5.   When other shooters arrive to use the range, greet them and discuss your joint range use.

19.6.   Those not shooting shall act as Safety Officers for the designated shooter.

19.7.   Handling pistols behind the firing line is restricted to the designated Safety Zone in the southeast corner of each pit.   Pistols outside the Safety Zone shall be unloaded and holstered with hammer down and, if semiautomatics, magazines removed.

19.8.   Safety Zone Rules

19.8.1. Ammunition shall not be handled in the Safety Zone.  Load magazines outside the Safety Zone.

19.8.2. Firearms shall not be loaded in the Safety Zone, even with dummy rounds or empty cases.

19.8.3. You may practice draws and may dry fire in the Safety Zone. An arrow indicates the safe direction to dry fire.

19.9.   Use only one target on each target frame. Secure the target in the target frame so the bullet impacts the backstop safely.  Don’t be too high or too low on the frame.

 

20. Special Range Rules:  Outdoor (National Match) Pistol Range

 

20.1.   Shooting from below bench height is prohibited.

20.2.   Shooting at targets placed closer than the 25-yard line is prohibited.

20.3.   Use only one target per frame.  The use of more than one target per target frame is prohibited.

20.4.   This range is restricted to pistols using conventional pistol ammunition.  Ammunition more powerful than 500 S&W Magnum is prohibited. Handguns not chambered for conventional pistol ammunition (Remington XP-100s, Thompson Center Contenders, etc.) shall be fired on the Benchrest Rifle Range.

 

21. Special Range Rules:  Benchrest Range

 

21.1.   Shooting shall be done seated at one of the benches.  “Position” shooting (standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone) is prohibited on the Benchrest Range.

21.2.   Load firearms only on the bench.  Keep your muzzle pointed at a backstop when loading.

21.3.   When going downrange, display the flip-up “Danger Shooter Down Range” safety sign to alert others that someone is forward of the firing line.  A shooter placing a target frame at the 200-yard line is usually invisible to someone on the firing line.

21.4.   The TALL target frames (5’6” tall, 29” between post centerlines) shall be used in the buried 25 and 50 yard frame holders and in the elevated 200 yard frame holders. TALL frames ensure bullets fired at 25 and 50 yard targets will impact the 100-yard backstop.

21.5.   The Short target frames (4’ tall, 27” between post centerlines) shall only be used in the elevated steel 100 yard frame holders.

21.6.   Do not crossfire: shoot only at targets in frame holders corresponding to your bench number.

 

Note: A shooter on Bench 1 may fire at Target 1 at 25, 50, 100 or 200 yards. A shooter at Bench 1 shall NOT fire at Targets 2 thru 10 at any distance. 

 

21.7.   Handguns chambered for conventional pistol calibers shall not be fired on the Benchrest Range.  Use either the Action Pistol Ranges or the Outdoor NM Pistol Range.

21.8.   Shotguns may be patterned with buckshot or zeroed with rifled slugs only on the Benchrest Range.

21.8.1. Shotguns shall be fired only when seated at a bench at correctly placed paper/cardboard targets in correctly placed frames.

21.8.2. Shotguns shall not be patterned with birdshot using Club Benchrest target frames. 

 

Note: The Amarillo Gun Club on South Osage has patterning frames for birdshot and is open to the general public.

 

21.8.3. Club target frames damaged by slugs or buckshot must be repaired immediately by the person damaging the frame.

21.9.   “Cease Fire” shall be called immediately when people are visible on the property north of the 200 yard backstop.

21.9.1. “Cease Fire” shall remain in effect until they leave the area.

21.10.  Do not shoot if equipment or construction materials are visible on the property described in 21.9, whether people are there or not.  Under these conditions, the Benchrest Range is closed.

 

Violation of any of these rules is subject to review by the Executive Committee and places the violator in jeopardy of temporary or permanent expulsion from the range and the Club.