BAYOU RIFLES, Inc. FACILITY AND RANGE RULES/ SAFETY RULES (BY-LAWS ARTICLE 12 APPLIES)

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1 BAYOU RIFLES, Inc. FACILITY AND RANGE RULES/ SAFETY RULES (BY-LAWS ARTICLE 12 APPLIES) SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY Any member violating any of these Rules is subject to loss (or non-renewal) of membership. * 2018 new rules and modified rules are in enlarged bold italics. GENERAL RULES FOR ALL FACILITIES EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2018 Definitions used for all Bayou Rifles rules: RIFLE -- Any firearm that in its current configuration is classified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) as a rifle. PISTOL -- Any firearm that in its current configuration is classified by the BATFE as a handgun. SHOTGUN -- Any firearm that in its current configuration is classified by the BATFE as a shotgun. OTHER FIREARM -- Any firearm that in its current configuration is classified by the BATFE as "other firearm". For Bayou Rifles rules this will be classified as a shotgun, and follow all shotgun rules, if it is capable of shooting shotgun shells. If this "other firearm" is not capable of shooting shotgun shells, Bayou Rifles will classify it as a rifle and all rifle rules will apply. Note that some "other firearms" covered by the National Firearms Act are restricted at Bayou Rifles by General Rule 13. Any additional firearm classifications, not included in the four defined above, are not allowed at Bayou Rifles ranges without written approval from the Board of Directors. Send an with questions or requests to variance@bayourifles.org. Rule Description 01 a. Membership badge must be visible, worn by the member to whom it was issued, and available for inspection by the presiding Range Officer at all times while on any Bayou Rifles facility, except during scheduled matches and maintenance. b. Members may have no more than 2 shooting guests on the line at one time. If the line is full members take priority at the firing line over guests. c. Each member may have no more than 6 non-family-member total guests, either shooting or not shooting, without Board approval. Members may not deliberately combine their guest privileges to create a larger group of guests. Approval for larger groups or organized events can be requested from variance@bayourifles.org. d. The member is responsible for his/her guests compliance with all of these rules and must be present in close proximity to all guests. Ensure that all guests can safely handle and control firearms. e. Lock the gate behind you (with the lock reset to 0000) upon entering and/or leaving the range, except prior to, during, and immediately after a scheduled match. Revision Page 1

2 02 a. At all ranges, the condition of the firing line is either hot or safe. In the absence of an RSO or Match Director to declare the condition, the members present will agree on the condition and communicate it to all on the firing line. b. At all times, both when the line is "safe" and when the line is "hot", No loaded firearms may be brought to the firing line. Shooters must insert a chamber flag (empty chamber indicator or ECI) into the firing chamber of all uncased firearms not actively engaged in shooting to verify their unloaded condition. RSO's and Board members can provide chamber flags on request. c. When the line is safe Uncased firearms may not be handled for any reason. Cases or boxes containing unloaded firearms may be brought to the firing line but cannot be opened while the line is "safe". Firearms will be placed in the racks or on the tables with muzzles pointed downrange. All uncased firearms will be will have been unloaded with actions open, empty chamber indicator correctly inserted, and magazines removed. Revolvers will have the cylinders open and cartridges removed. After making the line "safe" all shooters will step back from the bench and the racks and will verify that no firearms are being handled. Members may then go forward of the firing line to post targets or retrieve brass. d. When the line is hot Members may handle, load or discharge firearms consistent to all other applicable range rules. No one may go forward of the firing line while the firing line is hot. Cases or boxes containing unloaded firearms may be opened and the firearms removed taking care to keep muzzles pointed down range. Uncased firearms may be brought to the firing line if they are unloaded, the actions are open, and the muzzles are kept pointed in a safe direction. 03 a. Keep finger off trigger until ready to shoot. b. All firearms shall be pointed down range during uncasing, handling, loading, aiming, firing, unloading, clearing, cleaning, and recasing. c. Wearing a visible holstered firearm (open carry) is prohibited at all ranges at all times, except for on-duty Law Enforcement Officers in uniform. d. Members or guests with a License to Carry (LTC) may carry concealed handguns in a manner consistent with Texas Regulations. However, drawing and firing from a holster is prohibited. LTC holders are not allowed to carry on their person, either open or concealed, during participation in scheduled matches. 04 a. All firing shall be done directly down range so that all bullets impact the backstop and strike at least 2 feet above grade. Intentional crossfire is prohibited. b. Whenever setting sights or confirming settings, begin at shorter ranges (25/50, then 100 yards) prior to firing at 200, 300, 600 or 1000 yards. c. All firing shall be done from the regulation firing lines, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors. At the Juliff 25/50 yard range a firing line forward of the concrete pad is allowed as long as all shooters agree to a common firing line and shots fired impact the backstops. d. All firing must be aimed so as to hit a paper target placed between the frames or so as to hit a silhouette target where their use is approved. e. Rifles must be fired from the shoulder using two hands. Pistols may be fired using either a one or two-hand grip. Pistols must be brought to eye level before aiming and shooting. Hip shooting is prohibited. f. The usage of Ransom Rests, Hyscore Machine Rests, Caldwell Lead Sleds, gun vises or other mechanical devices that securely hold a firearm and permit aiming and firing into a backstop is permitted. g. Excessive rate of fire is unsafe and prohibited. Shooters should always limit their rate of fire to be certain that every shot will hit the intended target and impact the berm. Bayou Rifles Range Safety Officers and members of the Board of Directors have the authority to identify and correct unsafe rate of fire. 05 a. Approved target frames are those supplied by Bayou Rifles or an instructor approved by the Board of Directors in his/her course of instruction. Approved targets are as defined in the Specific Rules for each facility. b. Firing at other than approved targets is prohibited. Attachment to wooden frames or number boards is prohibited. To prevent frame damage, targets must be attached as far away from wood/metal frames as practical. Revision Page 2

3 06 a. Only approved firearms and ammunition are permitted as shown in the following Specific Rules for each facility; all others are prohibited. A member may request permission to use prohibited firearms and/or ammunition by writing to the Board of Directors. b. The following are expressly prohibited at all of Bayou Rifles facilities: - Fully-automatic firearms - Armor-piercing, tracer, incendiary, and/or explosive ammunition - Fireworks, explosive, and/or destructive devices of any sort (including explosive targets such as Tannerite) - Alcoholic beverages and/or any drugs which may impair judgment - Taking aim at, firing at, hunting, or killing animals - Overnight camping unless approved by the Board of Directors - Using any device (for example Slide Fire or Hell Fire) or technique (for example bump firing) that emulates full-auto firing of a semi-auto rifle or pistol. - Binary triggers or similar devices that fire when pulled and also fire when released. 07 Members and guests will at all times comply with the range commands and directions of a Range Safety Officer. During matches, members and guests will at all times comply with the range commands and directions of the Match Director. 08 Members are obliged to report any infractions of these Rules as soon as practical to a Range Safety Officer (RSO) present or to any member of the Board of Directors, with the following information: date, time, facility, range, vehicle license plate & identification (name if possible) of violator. Avoid any confrontation; if necessary, leave the range, and then report the infraction. If serious or life threatening, call law enforcement. 09 Members and their guests are required to collect all spent cartridge cases, shotgun hulls, and targets, and to remove them from the vicinity of the firing line or target frames. Recycle all spent cartridge cases into the marked containers provided. 10 Eye protection and hearing protection are required on all firing lines and in all pits. 11 Consult the Match Directors for any additions or changes approved to normal range procedures during match conditions. 12 Members may not use any Bayou Rifles facility for any type of business activity without prior approval. This restriction includes, but is not limited to, commercial firearms instruction, LTC classes, NRA certification, and using pictures taken at our ranges for advertising. Unless approved by the Board, no formal or certified training classes are allowed, even if they are provided without charge. Only informal instruction for family members or close personal friends will be permitted without prior Board approval. For questions or additional clarification of this rule, send an to variance@bayourifles.org. 13 The usage of legally owned sound suppressors or short barrel rifles is allowed. Appropriate federal paperwork must be available for inspection by any club member upon request. The device must be in compliance with all local, state, and federal rules and laws related to the possession and use of such a device. Any other firearm or device that requires a tax stamp from the BATFE to own or use is prohibited. 14 No signs or literature that is commercial or political may be posted or distributed at any Bayou Rifles facility. This restriction applies to all commercial advertising and to campaign material for all elections, including national, state, local, and club elections. Any club member can ask the Board of Directors via mail or to variance@bayourifles.org for an individual exception to any rule. If this request is approved, a variance letter issued by the Board will be provided for the member to carry while at the range. Upon request this variance letter must be displayed to any interested party so that members and guests will know the Board has approved the exception to the rule described in the letter. Revision Page 3

4 SPECIFIC RULES FOR JULIFF FACILITY Rule J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 Description Permitted Calibers & Cartridges Rifle: Smokeless powder ammunition except as prohibited; see J8. Any black powder rifle or musket. Pistol: Smokeless powder ammunition except as prohibited; see J8. Any black powder pistol that is muzzle-loaded or fires a straight-wall pistol cartridge. Shotgun with 18" or longer barrel fired from the shoulder: Slugs only on all fixed-distance ranges; size 7½ or smaller shot only on Flying Target Range; any size shot or slugs at the patterning board. Shotgun not fired from the shoulder: No slugs allowed; size 7½ or smaller shot only on Flying Target Range; any size shot (no slugs) at the patterning board. 200, 300, 600, 800, 900 & 1000-yard Rifle Range Priority: See Juliff Range Sharing & Usage Control Rules given below. Firearms and ammunition are prohibited at the 300-yard firing line when persons are present at 200-yard firing line and also at the 1000-yard line when persons are present at the 600-yard line. Smokeless or black powder shoulder-fired centerfire rifles only. No shotguns or pistols are allowed. See Rule J9. Targets: Paper (attached to plastic webbing and/or attached to cardboard and pinned to plastic webbing) placed at least 4 away from wood. Members may be in the pits at the 300 or 1000-yard firing lines when the line is hot as long as communication can be established with the line. No one may enter or leave the pits until it has been confirmed the line is safe. Firearms may not be handled for any reason when moving to or from the pits during safe conditions. When 200/300 range is active, the road alongside the ditch leading to the shotgun range can be used to enter or leave the shotgun range; however, going north beyond the shotgun range or going into the pits for the 200/300 range is prohibited unless the line has been confirmed "safe". 75 & 100-yard Range Smokeless or black powder shoulder-fired rifles; shotguns firing only slugs; smokeless or black powder pistols. Targets: Paper (attached to plastic webbing and/or attached to cardboard and pinned to plastic webbing) placed at least 4 away from all wood. 25 & 50-yard Range Smokeless or black powder shoulder-fired rifles; shotguns firing only slugs; shotgun firing shot shells (used only at the patterning board); smokeless or black powder pistols. Targets: Paper (attached to plastic webbing and/or attached to cardboard and pinned to plastic webbing) placed at least 4 away from all wood. Pistol Bays at Juliff Pistols: Any smokeless or black powder pistol can be used if chambered in the allowed cartridges specified below. Rifles: All rimfire rifles are allowed. Center-fire rifles can be used only if chambered in the allowed pistol cartridges specified below. Other center-fire rifles are not allowed. Shotguns: No shotguns are allowed. Air Guns: Any air rifle or air pistol is allowed. Allowed cartridges: Any straight-wall pistol cartridge (designed for pistol) not larger than.50 caliber is allowed. In addition, the following reduced-wall cartridges are allowed: all rimfire, 5.7x28mm,.22 Hornet (pistol),.22 Jet (pistol),.270 Ren,.30 Mauser (.30 Tokarev),.30 Luger, 8mm Nambu,.30 Carbine (pistol),.32-20,.357 Automag,.357 SIG, and Targets: Only paper targets attached to plastic webbing and/or attached to cardboard and pinned to plastic webbing are allowed. Targets should be placed at least 4 away from any wood. The firing line can be moved forward, but all shooters in the same bay must shoot from a common firing line and distance. Portable shooting bench or table must be placed at the desired shooting distance. First member in a bay acts as range officer for that bay. All shots fired must impact the berm. Shotgun Flying Target Range Shotguns only. Targets: Clay shotgun targets using club supplied throwers only. See Rule J1 for shot sizes (no slugs). Throw and shoot North only. Hours of operations are sunrise to sunset. Prohibited Cartridges.50 caliber Browning Machine Gun (BMG), any cartridge based on the.50 BMG. Revision Page 4

5 J9 Special Rules for Long Range Usage The basic rule for use of ammunition at the 200, 300, 600, 800, 900 and the 1000-yard line is that the bullet must be stable in flight at the point of impact on the respective target. All shots must impact the berm behind the target frames. NRA approved calibers in high power competition are typically the accepted calibers that may be utilized at the long distance rifle ranges. Types and calibers of acceptable ammunition for these rifle ranges include the types and calibers normally used in modern high power rifle competition. Specific types and calibers not ordinarily utilized in competition require specific approval by the board of directors, high power director or the high power director designee. For example,.223 Remington is approved as follows: J10 Bullet 200 YDS 300 YDS 600 YDS 800 YDS 900 YDS 1000YDS GR OK OK NO NO NO NO GR OK OK OK NO NO NO GR OK OK OK NO NO NO GR OK OK OK OK OK OK DISTANCE QUALIFICATION Each shooter is individually responsible for his or her safe shooting activities. To shoot at the 600-yard line and farther, the shooter must know his/her rifle and its ammunition capabilities. The shooter must demonstrate to the high power director and/or his designee that he/she can hit an approved target safely, at the respective extended yard line with each shot ultimately impacting the berm behind the target, to use these facilities. A NRA high power classification card, current and active is the most expedient form of qualification. Successful completion of one of the Bayou Rifles scheduled across-the-course matches, mid-range matches, long-range matches, and/or practice Palma matches will serve as qualification. Otherwise, an interested shooting member must attend a scheduled qualification class and demonstrate proficiency in order to use the rifle ranges of 600 yards or more. Revision Page 5

6 SPECIFIC RULES FOR ADDICKS FACILITY Rule Description A1 The only rifles allowed at the Addicks Range are rimfire rifles, air rifles, and black powder rifles as specified in Rule A4 below. Rimfire.22 caliber conversion devices for centerfire rifles are permitted, provided no centerfire ammunition or centerfire magazines are present at the facility. No shotgun shell can be fired from any type of firearm at Addicks. A2 Approved Pistol Calibers: For safety reasons, only the following pistols and ammunition shall be allowed. Black Powder - Pistols that are muzzle-loaded or fire straight-wall pistol cartridges. See Rule A4 below for approved shoulder-fired black powder firearms. Smokeless Powder - Any straight-wall pistol (designed for pistol) cartridge not larger than.50 caliber. In addition, the following reduced-wall cartridges are approved: all rimfire, 5.7x28mm,.22 Hornet (pistol),.22 Jet (pistol),.270 Ren,.30 Mauser (.30 Tokarev),.30 Luger, 8mm Nambu,.30 Carbine (pistol),.32-20,.357 Automag,.357 SIG, and A3 A4 NOTE: Centerfire rifles with shortened barrels and/or pistol-grip stocks are classified as rifles, not pistols, and are therefore prohibited. Fire only at the targets directly in front of your shooting position. Cross firing is a serious safety violation and is prohibited. Permitted Cartridges, Firearms, and Targets Small-bore Rifle and Silhouette Range Pistols are prohibited. Only rifles chambered for.22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle. Targets: Paper, attached to an approved target frame, club-approved metallic silhouette targets on approved stands (contact Small-bore Rifle Silhouette Division Chairman for written approval which shall be in the member s possession while on the facility), club-supplied silhouettes. Air guns larger than.22 caliber must use small-bore silhouettes, not air-gun silhouettes. Pistol Bullseye Range Smokeless powder pistols firing approved calibers (see A2). Rifles chambered for rimfire cartridges only. Black powder pistols firing approved calibers (see A2). Black powder shoulder-fired rifles or muskets firing a single soft lead projectile (ball or miniball). Targets: Paper attached to a cardboard insert placed in an approved frame. Pistol 15 yd. Bullseye Range Smokeless powder pistols firing approved calibers (see A2). Black powder pistols firing approved calibers (see A2). Rifles chambered for rimfire cartridges only. Targets: Paper (attached to plastic webbing or attached to cardboard and pinned to plastic webbing) placed at least 4 away from all wood. Pistol Silhouette Range Smokeless powder pistols firing approved calibers (see A2). Rifles chambered for rimfire cartridges only. Black powder pistols firing approved calibers (see A2). Black powder shoulder-fired rifles or muskets firing a single soft lead projectile (ball or miniball). Targets: Paper attached to an approved target frame, club-approved metallic silhouette targets placed on approved stands (contact Small-bore Pistol Silhouette Division Chairman for written approval which shall be in the member s possession while on the facility), and club-supplied silhouettes Revision Page 6

7 JULIFF RANGE SHARING & USAGE CONTROL RULES 1. Range Priorities: yd range has priority 8 a.m. to 10 a.m yd range has priority 10 a.m. to 12 noon yard line will have priority on the Friday before a scheduled 600 yard match 8 a.m. to noon /900/1000 yard lines will have priority the Friday before a scheduled 1000 yard match 8 a.m. to noon. - Otherwise the 1000-yard line will have priority on Tuesdays and Fridays 8 a.m. to noon. - At all other times, it will be first come first served with proper shooting courtesy at all times. 2. When 200/300 ranges are active for scheduled matches or practice: - The 300-yard sign shall be placed as OPEN. - Long Range sign at the long-range gate must be in place to show that the Long Range is closed. - When 200/300 range is active, the road alongside the ditch leading to the shotgun range can be used to enter or leave the shotgun range; however, going north beyond the shotgun range or going into the pits for the 200/300 range is prohibited unless the line has been confirmed "safe". - Firearms and ammunition are prohibited at: - The 300 yd. line when persons are present at the 200 yd line. - The 1000 yd line when persons are present at the 600, 800 or 900 yd line. 3. When a scheduled match is active on the 600 yd, 800 yd, 900 yd, and/or 1000 yd range - The 200/300 ranges will be closed, the closure rope up and turn the sign to show the 200/300 range is closed. - The Long Range Sign at the long-range gate shall be turned to OPEN. - At the completion of the match, the match director will return the range to 200/300 ranges OPEN. 4. When practice is active on the 600 yd, 800 yd, 900 yd, and/or 1000 yd range - The practicing member must turn the 200/300 range sign to CLOSED, and set up the 200/300-yard closure rope. - The Long Range Gate is to be left open, and the Long Range sign next to the gate shall be turned to OPEN. - When practice is compete, the member must close and lock the Long Range Gate, turn the Long Range Sign to CLOSED, turn the 200/300 sign to OPEN, and lower the 200/300 yd closure rope. 5. Shotgun Range - All Shotgun shooting and throwing of the targets should be to the North. - No shotgun shooting when high-power matches are active. 6. Reminder: Firearms and ammunition are prohibited at (See Rule J2.) - The 300 yd. line when persons are present at the 200 yd line. - The 1000 yd line when persons are present at the 600, 800 or 900 yd line. Revision Page 7