CLUB RULES Ames Rifle & Pistol Club 110 A Canton Street P.O. Box 88 North Easton MA 02356 Updated: May 2016
Contents GENERAL NRA GUN SAFETY RULES WHEN HANDLING A FIREARM... 4 Cleaning... 4 GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR USE OF THE CLUB... 5 Firearms Licenses Required... 5 Storage... 5 Guests... 5 Personal Safety... 5 Access... 5 Organized Club Events... 6 Shooting Safety... 6 Range Rules for Minors... 6 Exceptions: The following exceptions to the above minor rules apply and are Board approved:.. 6 Cease Fire Procedure (all ranges)... 7 CLUBHOUSE INDOOR RANGE RULES... 7 FIREARMS... 7 AMMUNITION... 7 TARGETS... 7 INDOOR RANGE - GENERAL RULES... 7 OUTDOOR RIFLE RANGES... 8 FIREARMS... 8 AMMUNITION... 8 TARGETS... 8 GENERAL RULES... 8 PISTOL RANGE (combat range) OUTDOORS... 8 FIREARMS... 8 AMMUNITION... 9 TARGETS... 9 GENERAL RULES... 9 ARCHERY RANGE... 9 BOWS... 9 ARROWS... 9 TARGETS... 9 GENERAL RULES... 9 GUEST POLICY... 10 2
DUES... 10 DISCIPLINARY ACTION... 10 RULE CHANGES... 10 REVISED RULES FOR 2016... 10 300 YARD RANGE... 10 BENCH SHOOTING POSITIONS (300-yard range)... 11 100 YARD RANGE... 11 PRONE SHOOTING... 12 COMBAT RANGE... 12 3
GENERAL NRA GUN SAFETY RULES WHEN HANDLING A FIREARM Cleaning Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Whether you are shooting or simply handling your gun, never point the muzzle at yourself or others. Common sense should dictate which direction is safest depending on your location and other conditions. When on the range, always point your firearm down range. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. There is a natural tendency to place your finger on the trigger when holding a gun. AVOID IT!!! That is what trigger guards are made for, to enable you to hold the gun comfortably with your finger off the trigger. Keep the action open and gun unloaded until you are ready to shoot. Whenever you pick up any gun immediately open the action and check (visually if possible) to see that the chamber is unloaded. If the gun has a magazine, remove it and make sure it is empty. If you do not know how to open the gun's action, leave it alone and get help from someone who does. Know how the gun operates. Before handling any firearm, learn how it operates. Know the basic parts, how to open and close the action safely and how to safely remove ammunition from the gun or clip. Always remember, a gun's safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can replace safe gun handling. Be sure your gun and ammunition are compatible. Only BB s, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on each cartridge. Do not shoot the gun if there is any question about the compatibility of the gun and ammunition. Carry only one gauge/caliber of ammunition when shooting. Smaller ammunition can be accidentally placed in a gun chamber designed for larger ammunition creating an obstruction and a hazard. Remove unfired ammunition from clothing when you are finished shooting in order to avoid accidentally mixing different ammunition the next time you shoot. Be sure of your target and what is beyond. Be positive you have identified your target beyond all doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area behind your target. This means observe your area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. THINK FIRST - SHOOT SECOND! Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate. Guns are loud. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. Safety glasses and ear protection are MANDATORY. A bit of precaution may save your sight and hearing. Do not mix alcohol or drugs with shooting. Alcohol and drugs are likely to impair normal mental and physical bodily functions and must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns. Be aware that circumstances may require additional rules unique to a particular situation. The basic rules as listed above for safe handling and shooting of firearms may need to be supplemented with other rules. An example would be that different types of ranges, such as pistol or trap, may have specific rules that must be learned and followed. Remember, whether in the home, at the range, or in the field, you are the person that is responsible for gun safety. Before cleaning your firearm, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. All ammunition should be stored away from the cleaning area. The gun action should be open during the cleaning process. Regular cleaning is important. Your gun should be cleaned after each use. A gun brought out of prolonged storage should be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture, dirt or grease can interfere with the gun's safe operation. The cleaning of firearms on club property is permitted in designated areas only. 4
GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR USE OF THE CLUB Firearms Licenses Required ALL Members must have a License to Carry or Federal Firearms Identification Card (or pending application). Storage NO PERSONAL FIREARMS SHALL BE STORED ON CLUB PROPERTY Guests 1) For guests arriving in their own vehicle: a. The MEMBER MUST SWIPE HIS ACCESS CARD for EACH GUEST VEHICLE entering club property. b. Guests must not tailgate into the club. Swipe your card for EACH vehicle entering. 2) Members must sign guests in using the guest log book in the Clubhouse PRIOR TO SHOOTING Personal Safety All persons on the ranges must wear hearing protection. All persons on the ranges must wear eye protection. You must properly holster or have all firearms cased that are carried onto club property. When firearms are uncased or un-holstered, all actions must be open and the firearm unloaded, except when ready to shoot. All firearms are assumed to be loaded and should be treated as such. All loading and/or unloading of firearms must be done in a designated areas on the range firing line only. Access 1) All doors and gates are to remain locked, unless otherwise posted, to prevent unauthorized use of club property. 2) No alcoholic beverages or drugs are allowed on club property at any time, nor any person under the influence of same. Violation of this rule will be cause for immediate dismissal. 3) Shooting is allowed on designated ranges only. 4) All members are responsible for reading signs posted on ranges and adherence to same. Obey all firing line commands immediately. 5) All ranges are to be kept policed when your shooting session is completed. Trash receptacles and brass buckets are provided for your convenience. 6) When a range officer is present he/she will be responsible for coordination of the cease fire procedures and the enforcement of all rules and regulations. 7) One shooter and coach are allowed per shooting station. 8) All members are requested to help novice shooters, or new members, to explain the use of firearms, club range rules and advise and instruct when appropriate in a kind and courteous manner. 9) No vehicles are to be driven on any range. Vehicles are to be parked in designated areas only. Be courteous to assure that spent casings do not interfere with other shooters. 10) When arriving at a range and you appear to be alone, be certain that no other person is down range before firing WHEN GOING DOWN RANGE ALWAYS USE THE RANGE SAFTY LIGHT SWITCH AT YOUR SHOOTING STATION EVEN IF ANOTHER SHOOTER HAS PUT ON THEIR SWITCH. Every member is authorized to act in order to enforce the range safety rules. 5
Organized Club Events Persons shooting in organized club events take preference over individual shooters. No member observing a rule infraction is allowed to let it go uncorrected. Shooting Safety 1) Targets are to be placed on designated target holders only. 2) The placing of objects or the walking on or disruption of any dirt berm or range backstop is prohibited. 3) Keep firearm pointed down range at all times. Do not raise the muzzle of the firearm above the target line. 4) All firearms must be raised from the shooting bench. No shooting from the hip or quick drawing. When moving from one shooting station to another, firearm must be unloaded and the action open. The firearm must be pointed down range or in a safe direction. 5) Do not raise firearm above the target line. Shoot only at target directly in front of shooting position. No cross firing allowed. 6) No incendiary, tracer or armor piercing ammunition is to be used on any range. The use of exploding targets is strictly prohibited. 7) NO BUMP FIRE or SLIDE FIRE ATTACHMENTS are allowed. 8) Always be certain that bullets hit the designated target impact area. Extreme care must be taken when rapid firing. 9) If you are down range and someone arrives to shoot, make your presence known. 10) In the event a malfunction prevents you from clearing and/or unloading your firearm, do not remove the firearm from the firing line. Seek assistance from a knowledgeable source. Range Rules for Minors 1) These rules apply to all minors shooting on any of the Club s ranges. 2) Any minor shooting must have adult supervision. 3) The adult will carry the firearms to and from the firing line. 4) One adult per minor, the adult supervising at arm s length at all times including while not on the firing line. 5) The adult may not be shooting or engaged in other activities while supervising a minor shooter. 6) Only one firearm shall be in use at all times. 7) If the adult is shooting the minor must be seated with the adult and at all times must be under direct adult supervision. 8) If the adult is shooting the minor must be observing and is not allowed to leave the side of the adult. (the minor may not go to the rest room alone, get a drink from the refrigerator alone etc.,). 9) The minor must be escorted at all times on Club property. Exceptions: The following exceptions to the above minor rules apply and are Board approved: 1) Minors participating in the Boy Scout Merit Badge program or the Juniors program. Supervision shall be determined by program coordinators 2) Minors who have earned unescorted privileges as a member of the Junior Rifle Team. Supervision shall be determined by the adult team leader. 3) Minors between the ages of 15 and 18 who have valid hunting licenses. 4) Minors between the ages of 15 and 18 who have a valid Firearms Identification Card (FID). 5) Minors participating in an authorized Hunters Education class or firearms training class on club property but such minors must follow the rules set forth by the instructor of any such class. 6
Cease Fire Procedure (all ranges) 1) Any member observing an unsafe situation should immediately call a "cease fire". 2) Range safety lights are provided at all outdoor shooting stations. The lights must be put on prior to anyone going down range. When going down range ALWAYS put the safety light switch in your shooting station on, even if another shooter has flipped his or her switch on. 3) When the command "cease fire" is heard or the safety lights go on, immediately stop shooting, apply safety, open the action place firearm on bench with muzzle pointed down range, step back behind the firing line and await further instructions. 4) Upon command, render your firearm safe by removing all ammunition/magazines/clips. (decap or remove primer on black powder guns). 5) Place firearm on shooting bench with Muzzle pointed down range with action open. Once your firearm is rendered safe, step back away from shooting station. 6) Do not handle any firearm, ammunition or other equipment during a cease fire. 7) No person is to go forward of any firing line until all firearms are determined to be in a safe mode. No one is allowed to touch or place anything on the bench during a cease fire or when the range safety lights are on. CLUBHOUSE INDOOR RANGE RULES FIREARMS 1) Handguns up to.45 2).22 long rifle rimfire rifles only. 3) Air rifles/pistols (with pellets only). 4) No other rifles or shotguns are allowed. Black powder is not allowed. 5) No sub guns or carbines in any caliber. 6) No Fully Automatic weapons of any kind. AMMUNITION Lead, alloy, jacketed, semi-jacketed bullets are allowed. No steel core bullets of any caliber are allowed. Handgun caliber ammunition only up to.45 Magnum loads are allowed. Armor piercing, incendiary and tracer ammunition is prohibited. No BB's are allowed. Pellets are allowed. No centerfire rifle ammunition, shotgun, shot shell or slugs are allowed. TARGETS Paper targets only No targets larger than 24"x 24" placed at 50 feet or 12 x 12 at the short wall. Targets must be set all the way to the backstop, 50 feet from the shooting bench or to the short rubber wall at all times. If you cannot hit the appropriate targets mentioned above you must shoot OUTSIDE. We have target frames at closer ranges outside. INDOOR RANGE - GENERAL RULES 1) The hours of operation are twenty-four (24) hours a day, except Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, during work details, scheduled shooting events and during club general meetings. 2) Lights must be turned on when shooting unless match dictates. Exhaust fans must be turned on while any person is on the range. 7
3) If you are the last person to leave the range/clubhouse, turn off all the lights and exhaust fans. No eating is allowed on the indoor range. 4) All socializing is to be confined to the meeting area. The indoor range is for shooting only. 5) All other general rules and regulations apply. OUTDOOR RIFLE RANGES FIREARMS 1) Rifles. Handguns Shotguns 2) Air Rifles/pistols (pellets only no BB s 3) Fully automatic firearms are allowed with the appropriate license AND TAX STAMP and a green card issued by the executive board. A green card issued by the Executive Board is required for full automatic weapons. The green card issued by the executive board must be in plain sight when shooting full auto. 4).50 caliber rifles are allowed on the 300 yard range with a red card issued by the executive board. The red card issued by the executive board must be in plain sight when shooting a.50 caliber rifle. AMMUNITION All calibers. Lead, alloy, semi-jacketed, jacketed ammunition. Shotgun slugs and shot are allowed in DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY. No tracers, incendiary ammunition or armor piercing ammunition Pellets only no BB s (air rifles and pistols). TARGETS Metal targets and silhouettes are provided at various distances by the Club. Paper targets must be placed on the target frames. If you bring your own targets please police the area after shooting and clean up any broken targets or debris. No food, glass, hazardous materials (e.g. paint cans, batteries, aerosol cans etc.) are allowed. Targets can not be placed closer than the targets provided at each range (100 yards on the 300 yard range, 50 yards on the 100 yard range, 20 yards on the combat range). You must shoot at targets directly in front of you shooting bench ONLY no cross firing of any kind. GENERAL RULES The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. until sunset. [Sunset is defined by the National Weather Service and can easily be found on your smart phone or computer IT IS NOT LAST LIGHT! No shooting is allowed on any ranges on Easter Sunday or Memorial Day. PISTOL RANGE (combat range) OUTDOORS FIREARMS 1) Handguns up to.45 2).22 long rifle rimfire rifles only and Pistol caliber up to.45 3) Shotguns with Bird shot, NO SLUGS ALLOWED NO BUCKSHOT ALLOWED Fully automatic firearms ARE NOT ALLOWED 4) Air rifles/pistols (pellets only, no BB s) No sub guns or carbines in any caliber. 8
5) No sub guns or carbines in any caliber. AMMUNITION Lead, alloy, semi-jacketed, jacketed ammunition. Shotgun shot, no slugs allowed. Pellets are allowed BB s are NOT ALLOWED No tracers, incendiary or armor piercing ammunition No BB s allowed, pellets only are allowed (air rifles/pistols). TARGETS Metallic silhouette targets are provided and must be placed on the shooting rails provided. Paper silhouette targets are allowed on designated target frames only. No food, glass, plastic bottles, cans or hazardous materials (e.g. paint cans, batteries, aerosol cans, propane tanks etc.) are allowed. GENERAL RULES Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. until sunset. [Sunset is defined by the National Weather Service and can easily be found on your smart phone or computer IT IS NOT LAST LIGHT! No shooting is allowed on any ranges on Easter Sunday or Memorial Day. You must dispose of all paper targets when shooting is completed. ARCHERY RANGE BOWS No firearms of any kind allowed. No air rifles/pistols allowed. All bows, including crossbows, recurve and compound bows are allowed. ARROWS Target and field points only. Broadheads or hunting points are allowed. NO PELLETS OR BB S ALLOWED TARGETS Paper targets only. Other targets are supplied by the Club. Targets must be on the target frames. No glass, tin cans, plastic bottles etc. GENERAL RULES No one is allowed down range until the range is declared all clear. No drawing of any bows with an arrow unless the bow is pointed down range. The range will be closed during work parties. 9
GUEST POLICY 1) Each member is allowed two (2) shooting guests at a time. Exceptions can be made with prior permission of the executive board. 2) The member must directly supervise and coach the guest at all times. No exceptions! Only one firearm may be used at a time. If the guest is shooting they must be in arm s length of the Member if the Member is shooting the guest must be within one bench of the Member and MUST not be in possession of a firearm. 3) Any guest may only come as a guest twice in any calendar year. If the guest wishes to use the facilities more than twice they are expected to join the Club. 4) Members are responsible for the actions of their guest. If the guest violates any club rule, the member will be held responsible. 5) Arrangements can be made for special groups with the executive board. DUES The dues year is from January 1st to December 31st. Dues must be paid by January 1st, and if not paid the member will be dropped from the membership roll. DISCIPLINARY ACTION The violation of any club rule may result in disciplinary action. The executive board shall be responsible for all disciplinary actions. The executive board, having sole discretion, may suspend or terminate membership privileges. RULE CHANGES The executive committee shall administer and oversee the management of the club. The executive board shall promulgate, modify and/or change, as they deem necessary, the rules and regulations of the club to fulfill their obligation. REVISED RULES FOR 2016 Additional rules have been established for 2016 as a result of increasing the safety of the entire facility and installing substantial physical changes to outdoor ranges. FOR THE 100 AND 300 YARD RANGES THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO FIRING AT TARGETS TO YOUR LEFT OR RIGHT. ALL TARGET FRAMES WILL BE SET DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE BENCH YOU ARE SHOOTINGS FROM AND THESE ARE THE ONLY TARGETS YOU MAY SHOOT AT. PERIOD. 300 YARD RANGE 1) No pistol shooting at all. 2) BAFFLES ARE SET AND LOCKED AT THE BENCH REST POSITION. The rifle team and Range Safety Officers have the key to move the baffles if needed for off-hand shooting. 3) No prone shooting without a Range Safety Officer present. 10
4) CLOSEST TARGETS ARE 1OO YARDS. A sight-in target holder will be left on the porch of the enclosure if you need to sight-in a new firearm or scope. This sight-in target will be moveable and can be used closer than 100 yards TO GET YOUR SHOTS ON THE PAPER ONLY. ONCE YOU ARE ON PAPER YOU MUST RETURN THE SIGHT-IN TARGET HOLDER TO ITS STORAGE LOCATION. BENCH SHOOTING POSITIONS (300-yard range) 5) 100-Yard Targets a. If you are shooting at the 100 yard targets on the LEFT SIDE OF THE RANGE you must be at a bench located to the left of the door going out to the range (i.e., left side of the enclosure). b. If you are shooting at the 100 yard targets on the RIGHT SIDE OF THE RANGE you must be at a bench located to the right of the door going out to the range (i.e., right side of the enclosure). 6) 200-Yard Targets Bench Shooting position: If you are shooting at the 200 yard targets you must be at a bench located on the RIGHT SIDE of the enclosure. 7) 300-Yard Targets Bench Shooting position: If you are shooting at the 300 yard targets you must be at a bench located on the Left SIDE of the enclosure. 100 YARD RANGE 1) No unauthorized targets 2) ANYONE HITTING ANY OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE (poles, walls, supports, baffles, etc) WILL HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP REVOKED IMMEDIATELY. 3) THE FIRST SECTION between the WALL CLOSEST TO THE 300 YARD RANGE and to the FIRST POLE SUPPORT OF THE 100 YARD RANGE is ONLY FOR SHOTGUNS it is marked. Targets will be the metal racks with the blue plastic. Target frames cannot be moved around. No CLAYS in this area & No other targets FOR SHOTGUN in this area. You may use bird shot, buck shot and slugs/sabots in this area only. 4) THE NEXT SECTION MOVING IN FROM THE SAME FIRST POLE SUPPORT TO THE FIRST TELEPHONE POLE SUPPORT IS ONLY FOR PISTOL SHOOTING. (metal overhang). Target stands will be placed DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE SHOOTER at different distances. You must move along the table to be in front of the target you are shooting at. No cross fire. Paper targets only in this area. Target frames will be from 5 Yards to a maximum of 30 yards. You may only shoot the targets DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOU NO TARGETS TO YOUR LEFT OR RIGHT ARE TO BE USED. 5) SECTION BETWEEN THE TELEPHONE POLES (other than the pistol only and shotgun only sections) will for rifle or pistol shooting. Target stands will be set at 50 yards as the closest target to the firing line. Target stands will be placed directly in front of each bench and MAY NOT BE MOVED. You may only shoot the paper targets DIRECLTY IN FRONT OF YOUR BENCH. NO TARGETS TO YOUR LEFT OR RIGHT ARE TO BE USED. A target holder will be left inside the enclosure FOR SIGHTING-IN NEW FIREARMS or SCOPES. This target holder will be moveable and can be placed closer than 50 yards TO GET ON THE PAPER ONLY! ONCE YOUARE ON PAPER YOU MUST RETURN THE SIGHT-IN TARGET HOLDER TO ITS STORAGE LOCATION. 11
6) STEEL TARGETS will be placed between the 50 yard line and the 100 yard line BETWEEN VARIOUS TELEPHONE POLES. You MAY ONLY shoot at the steel that is IN YOUR GAP OF TELEPHONE POLES. You MAY NOT SHOOT THE STEEL to the right or left THAT IS NOT IN THE ALLEY BETWEEN THE TELEPHONE POLES WHERE YOUR BENCH IS LOCATED. 7) STEEL TARGETS also will be placed at the 100 yard line as they always have. You MAY ONLY shoot at the steel targets placed at 100 yards THAT ARE LINE-OF-SIGHT THROUGH THE GAP OF TELEPHONE POLES WHERE YOUR BENCH IS CENTERED AT. You MAY NOT shoot at the steel targets THAT ARE POSITIONED OUTSIDE YOUR TELEPHONE POLE ALLEY. 8) All shooting must be done behind the benches within the U-shaped table top. YOU MAY STAND, SIT OR BENCH REST at these benches. YOU MUST STAND OR SIT in the U-SHAPED area. 9) PICNIC TABLE-TYPE BENCHES AT THE FAR LEFT OF THE 100 YARD RANGE (These have bench seats attached to the sides of the table top) MUST BE USED AS BENCH-REST-ONLY SHOOTING STATIONS. You MUST BENCHREST your firearms on these type benches. NO OFFHAND SHOOTING IS ALLOWED FROM THESE BENCHES. 10) Benches are going to be connected to one another. NO SHOOTING IS ALLOWED TO THE SIDES or IN FRONT OF the benches. 11) GAPS IN THE LINE: Will ONLY be WHERE THERE IS A SAFETY BUZZER so you can flip the buzzer and go down to take care of your targets. Refer to the Cease Fire Procedure earlier in this document to safely approach your target. The PLYWOOD BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE FIRING LINE IN THESE GAPS WILL ALLOW YOU TO STEP OUT FROM THE FIRING LINE TO CHANGE A TARGET, but will block your ability shoot offhand or prone within the gaps. PRONE SHOOTING NO PRONE SHOOTING IS ALLOWED WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF A RANGE SAFETY OFFICER. COMBAT RANGE 1) No unauthorized targets. 2) All pistol and.22 long rifle shooting must be done from INSIDE THE SHOOTING SHED WITH NO EXCEPTIONS ALLOWED. 3) Only SHOTGUN WITH BIRD SHOT FOR SKEET may be shot outside to the right of the shooting shed and behind the firing line. 12
IF YOU SHOOT PISTOLS OR RIFLES OUTSIDE THE SHOOTING SHED YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL BE REVOKED IMMEDIATELY. 13