Range Safety Rules

Range Safety, Conduct and Procedure Rules

1.  MUZZLE CONTROL WILL BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. While on the trap line all guns will be pointed down range. At all other times guns will be carried unloaded with actions open, muzzle up for pumps and semi-autos, muzzle down for hinge guns. This includes mid round station changes.

2.  No closed actions except on the firing line or in the gun rack if you have a hinge gun.

3.  No mounting or aiming of guns other than on the firing line unless under the direct supervision of a coach.

4.  Carrying a shotgun over your shoulder or resting the muzzle on your toe is not permitted.

5.  All guns will be cased, kept in the gun rack or locked in your vehicle when not in use.

6. When it is your turn to shoot approach your shooting pad and wait for the other members of your squad to be at the ready. No shooting will take place until all squad members, scorers, and coaches are in position and give the command to begin.

7.  Do not load your gun or close the action until it is your turn to shoot. Safety is more important than speed.

8.  Load only 1 shell at a time.

9.  Load pumps and semi-autos through the ejection port, not the magazine. The only exception is a bottom eject pump such as a BPS or Ithaca 37.

10.  During a round, in the event of a gun or equipment malfunction remain facing down range and raise your hand to indicate a problem. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES turn around unless directed to do so by a coach. All other squad members will immediately cease, open their guns and unload until correction is made.

11.  At the command “CEASE!” all shooters will immediately stop whatever they are doing, open/unload their guns and wait for further instructions.

12.  Range safety requires complete and undivided attention. No cell phones will be allowed on the trap line. Also, before or during the round, if for any reason (illness, fatigue, medications or personal problems) you are unsure you can complete the round, signal a coach. We will arrange for you to shoot at another time.

13.  No shooting will start until all shooters, the scorer and coaches have taken their positions and have indicated they are ready to commence.

14.  All shooters will remain on station until the last shooter has fired.

15. No Running on the range.

16. Never handle another club members gun.

17. No earbuds cell phones or iPods on the range.

19. Never place a misfired shell back into your pocket or pouch.

20. Shell Catchers are mandatory on the range - When you round is complete please place any empty hulls in the shell bucket.

21. Respect and obey all adults at all times.

22. At the end of practice it is our teams responsibility to reload and restock ALL trap houses on the range.

23. Never pick up any spent hulls or live rounds while in the process of shooting a round of Trap.

24. When you have cleared station #5 you should always turn to your right when rotating or completing the round.

25. Always drive safely in the parking lot.

Two Strike Safety Rule  

Safety is no joke and is taken seriously, especially in shooting sports. A Two Strike Rule will be applied for any student who is found to be in violation of the rules above.  

Strike One. Upon a first safety violation, the student will be sent home immediately and it will be the coaches’ responsibility to call the parents of the athlete and address the concerns before the athlete can return to the team.  

Strike Two. If a second safety violation, the student will be removed from the team and will not be able to appeal a return. No refund of any type will be provided to a student removed from the team based on a second safety violation.

Range Clothing

Dress appropriate for the weather conditions.

No Sandals or open toes shoes are allowed on the range.

Loose fitting clothing is not recommended.

Try to be consistent with your dress – Bulky clothes one day and not the next can cause you scores to be erratic.

Try not to wear clothing that may cause you gun to get hung up when mounting.

*All athletes are expected to be "in uniform" while on the range the day that they practice or compete.

In addition it is at the coaches request but not mandatory that athletes where their team shirt in school on the days they compete or practice.

Firearm ID

Every year somebody mistakenly takes a teammates gun home after practice because they think it is theirs. (Rem. 870s)

Make sure you know YOUR gun.

Make sure you take YOUR gun home.

Make sure you have some type of identifying mark on your gun so you know it’s yours.

You may wish to mark your shell boxes as well.