Range Orientation
Gun Laws of America copyright 2005-2007 Alan Korwin
Range Location St. Charles Sportsman s Club (SCSC) maintains an Outdoor Range Facility located on Piney Church Road The entrance in under the high power electric transmissions lines 500 yards east of the Maryland Blue Crabs Baseball Stadium Enter through the gate and follow the gravel road to the right Unless there is a public event occurring, Please re-lock the gate behind you
Outdoor Range Facilities 200 Yard Rifle / Pistol range Pistol range ( Pit ) which is only used during supervised shooting activities Shotgun Field for Trap and Skeet Sporting Clay course Archery Range Pavilion Activities Trailer (Shotgun office) Pistol Pit Sporting Clays Station One
SCSC CODE OF ETHICS I will consider myself an invited guest of the landowner, seeking their permission, and so conducting myself that I may be welcome in the future. I will obey the rules of safe gun handling and will courteously but firmly insist that others who hunt with me do the same. I will obey all game laws and regulations and will insist that my companions do likewise. I will do my best to acquire those marksmanship and hunting skills which assure clean, sportsmanlike conduct. I will support conservation efforts that will assure good hunting for future generations of America. I will pass along to younger hunters the attitudes and skills essential to a true sportsman.
Cardinal Rules of Firearm Safety ALWAYS keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot ALWAYS keep your firearm unloaded until ready to use
Basic Firearm Safety 4. Know your target and what is beyond 5. Know how to use the firearm safely 6. Be sure your firearm is safe to operate 7. Use only the correct ammunition for your firearm 8. Wear eye and hearing protection while the range is in use 9. Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting 10. Store firearms so they are inaccessible to unauthorized persons Be aware that certain types of firearm and shooting activities require additional safety precautions Source: National Rifle Association
Firearm Transportation MD Law Handguns must be unloaded and cased Federal Law Firearms out of reach from the driver s compartment If no separate compartment (i.e., pickup truck) case must be locked Ammunition separate from firearm Club policy require firearms cased to and from the parking lot or if a concealed permit holder, the firearm must be concealed
Maryland Code 4-203. Wearing, carrying, or transporting handgun. (a) Prohibited.- (1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not: (i) wear, carry, or transport a handgun, whether concealed or open, on or about the person; (ii) wear, carry, or knowingly transport a handgun, whether concealed or open, in a vehicle traveling on a road or parking lot generally used by the public, highway, waterway, or airway of the State;
(b) Exceptions.- This section does not prohibit: (3) the carrying of a handgun on the person or in a vehicle while the person is transporting the handgun to or from the place of legal purchase or sale, or to or from a bona fide repair shop, or between bona fide residences of the person, or between the bona fide residence and place of business of the person, if the business is operated and owned substantially by the person if each handgun is unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or an enclosed holster; (4) the wearing, carrying, or transporting by a person of a handgun used in connection with an organized military activity, a target shoot, formal or informal target practice, sport shooting event, hunting, a Department of Natural Resources-sponsored firearms and hunter safety class, trapping, or a dog obedience training class or show, while the person is engaged in, on the way to, or returning from that activity if each handgun is unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or an enclosed holster; (5) the moving by a bona fide gun collector of part or all of the collector's gun collection from place to place for public or private exhibition if each handgun is unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or an enclosed holster;
(c) Penalty.- (1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the penalties provided in this subsection. (i) except as provided in item (ii) of this paragraph, the person is subject to imprisonment for not less than 30 days and not exceeding 3 years or a fine of not less than $250 and not exceeding $2,500 or both; or (ii) The court may not impose less than the applicable minimum sentence provided under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph. [An. Code 1957, art. 27, 36B(b), (c); 2002, ch. 26, 2; 2003, ch. 17; ch. 21, 1; 2004, ch. 25; 2005, ch. 482.] Penalties increase for prior convictions, on school property and intent to cause harm to another
18 USC 926A. Interstate Transportation of Firearms Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any awful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
Parking The main parking area is the infield of the traffic circle You may drive down to the firing line to drop off equipment Remember to always allow for emergency vehicle access
SCSC GENERAL RANGE RULES: Eye and Ear Protection MANDATORY. Firearms shall be transported to and from the range in appropriate cases, shooting boxes, or range bags. All firearms shall be unloaded with actions open, upon arrival to, and departure from the range. On the Range, except during actual firing, all firearms shall be kept with actions open and safe condition. Firearms shall not be handled in any manner while persons are downrange. Only approved targets will be used on the range. No glass containers shall be used as targets on the range at any time. After shooting - police brass, targets, and debris.
SCSC General Range Rules (con t) All rifle, pistol, and shotgun matches that are held at any of the St Charles Sportsman s Club, Inc. ranges are to be governed, regulated, and approved by the range officer or his appointed representative. No alcohol shall be allowed on the range at any time during operation of the range. No individual shall use the range that has consumed alcoholic beverages within 8 hours of range use. Any infractions of these rules should be diplomatically brought to the attention of the offender. Serious violations, e.g. Alcohol on the range, handling of firearms while personnel are downrange, or refusing to correct rules violations shall be immediately brought to the attention of the Range Officer (as appropriate) and the 2nd Vice President.
SECTION VI - OUT-DOOR GUN RANGE RULES The Out-Door Ranges include the 200 yard rifle/pistol range, the 25 yard pistol range, the IPSC range (PIT), and the shotgun Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays ranges. In addition to the General Rules above, these rules apply only to the Out-Door shooting ranges as defined above. (passed 3/1997) Shooting limited to the hours between one half hour before sunrise and one half hour after sunset. All persons shall remain behind the designated firing line until the range is called safe. For normal, informal rifle/pistol range use, the firing line is the red line under the covered firing area. Other firing lines may be designated for certain matches or for practices under Range Officer or Match Director supervision.
OUTDOOR GUN RANGE RULES For normal range operations on the Rifle and Pistol ranges, guests shall be the responsibility of their host(s). Only one guest per host is permitted on the firing line at one time, and their host shall remain on the firing line to supervise their firing. Range operations during matches fall under direction of the Match Director/Range Officer. Only approved targets will be used on the range. Approved targets include paper, cardboard, and steel targets specifically manufactured for use as firearms targets as well as home-made paper and cardboard targets. All steel targets (e.g. plates, poppers, etc.) shall be placed squarely facing the shooter at a minimum of 12 yards from the shooter s position, to reduce the possibility of injury from ricochet.
Outdoor Range Rules (con t) After shooting, police brass, targets, and debris. Return target frames to storage area. With the exception of matches and practices under direct Range Officer/Match Director supervision, all firing on the 200 yard rifle range and 25 yard pistol range shall be from the covered firing line. Muzzles must be pointed downrange at all times once a firearm is brought to the firing line. (The firing line is the Red-Line under the covered firing line or other firing line as may be designated by Range Officer/Match Director for a match).
Covered Firing Line Down range is the area toward the backstop Up range is the area toward the range house & parking lot ALWAYS point the muzzle in a safe direction Safe directions are straight up or down range Any time the firearm leaves your hands the action is to be open and visible to anyone walking behind the line. If so equipped remove any magazines. Rifles and pistols shall be laid on the tables with the actions open and the muzzles pointed down range NEVER leave a loaded firearm on the table
Covered Firing Line
Down Range from Position 6
The Gong (200 yards)
View Up Range
Friendly Cooperation The outdoor range facility is open for members and their guests ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset Range use is based on friendly cooperation Check with other shooters before changing range conditions Double check that no one handles firearms while people are down range Please observe the rules of safe gun handling and courteously but firmly insist that others who shoot do the same.
Defacto Range Safety Officers When there is no range officer specified every member is expected to be a defacto range officer You should conduct your actions at all times as you are being observed Ensure that safety is never compromised
Range Commands Cease Fire Range is HOT Range is COLD Down Range Range is SAFE When no Range Officer is available range commands are cooperative in nature
Cease Fire Cease Fire can be called by anyone at any time. Cease Fire is used for safety issues, animals down range or any reason to stop shooting. At the command Cease Fire you must immediately stop firing, keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction and await further direction
Range is COLD Range is Cold: May we go Cold? When the Range is Cold, there will be no firing at any time. You can remove your personal protective equipment and may secure your firearms in their case or rifle rack as long as the muzzle remains in a safe direction
Range is Safe Range is Safe: May we make the range Safe? When the Range is Safe, there will be no firing at any time. There will be no further handling of firearms. Only after EVERYONE has finished handling their firearms may anyone go down range.
Down Range Down Range: Once a down range is called you must step back behind the red firing line. You will not handle your firearms at any time while people are down range
Range is HOT Range is Hot: May we go Hot? Eye and hearing protection must be worn prior to making the range Hot When the range is called Hot, it is OK to handle your firearms keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. When the range is Hot you may shoot your firearms
Getting Ready Make sure the tables and benches are where you want them before you bring your gun to the firing line Take your cased firearm to the firing line and ensure the muzzle is pointed down range BEFORE you take it out of the case Look down range and make sure no animals or other obstructions are visible before you make ready to fire Know the path your bullet will take when it leaves the barrel Know your target and what is beyond
Shooter s Responsibilities You are responsible for knowing and following the range rules Users of the range facilities are expected to be courteous and use good judgment while on the range property Be observant and don t get sidetracked You may know your firearm is empty, but others do not. KEEP YOUR ACTION OPEN UNLESS IN THE FIRING POSITION CONTROL YOUR MUZZLE AT ALL TIMES
Targets Make sure you use appropriate targets Only approved targets will be used on the range. Approved targets include paper, cardboard, and steel targets specifically manufactured for use as firearms targets as well as home-made paper and cardboard targets. All steel targets (e.g. plates, poppers, etc.) shall be placed squarely facing the shooter at a minimum of 12 yards from the shooter s position, to reduce the possibility of injury from ricochet. Ensure a straight line of fire Do not shoot across firing points Fired rounds must impact within the range not into the tree line or above the down range berm
Available Target Frames Steel target frames are available for your use Stored at the end of the covered firing line outside position 1 Suggest you bring your own cardboard (30 x 30 ) Attach with duct tape or wire ties Beginning at the 7 yard line there are pipes in the ground that the steel target stands fit into Apply your targets to the center of the frame so as not to shoot the frame
Range Etiquette Be kind Be courteous Be thoughtful Be aware of your muzzle Actions shall be left open unless ready to fire Do not place any rounds in the chamber until you are in position and ready to shoot
Firearm Handling Do not handle firearms at all when people are down range When handing a firearm to another person the muzzle must remain in a safe direction and the action must be open Do not accept any firearm unless the action is open and you visibly and physically check the chamber
Shotgun Field Shotgun field requires Shot Size 7 ½ or smaller Carry double barrel shotguns action open over shoulder muzzle forward Carry auto-loading and pump shotguns action open muzzles up
Trap Field
Skeet High House
Shotgun Trailer Office / check-in for shotgun activities Located North side of traffic circle
Negligent Discharges Accidents are caused by two conditions Lack of knowledge Not knowing what to do You counter lack of knowledge with education and training Ask for help from a trusted senior member Compliancy Knowing all too well what should be done, but a moment of carelessness causes a lifetime of grief You counter compliancy with vigilance
Emergency Procedures Immediately call CEASE FIRE Take charge of the situation Render immediate first aide consistent with training and available equipment If appropriate call 911 for paramedic response Use of Range phone may help dispatcher in locating range address enhanced 911 (E911) Stay on the phone with the dispatcher until they tell you it s OK to disconnect
Emergency Procedures (con t) If other persons are available send 1 person to the main gate to guide emergency response personnel Have someone document incident / actions with photographs if possible As soon as the scene is secure, contact President and Second Vice President (#s Posted outside Range House)
Limiting Lead Exposure Wash your hands and face with cold water after shooting or cleaning your firearms Change and wash clothing after shooting to minimize exposure to airborne particulate lead or solvent and cleaning product residue Refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, applying makeup or placing your hands near your mouth or nose while on the range
Bibliography Korwin, Alan, Gun Laws of America, Phoenix, Arizona: Bloomfield Press Quandahl, Larry, NRA Basic Range Safety Officer Course, Fairfax, Virginia: National Rifle Association Kappas, J. Scott, Traveler s Guide to Firearm Laws of the Fifty States 2009, Covington, Kentucky: Traveler s Guide inc. St. Charles Sportsman s Club Constitution and By- Laws: April 2008