• Please consider adding your "Event" to the Calendar located on our Home page!

Resources Range safety

I have started a club and a field target range. I am now the Match Director and make up all the rules. This is a big responsibility and I am very serious about safety. At the first match everyone was fine and all were gun club members. But they did not have a protocol about holding rifles. I felt uncomfortable more than once when muzzles were pointed or swung around. I know the guns were not loaded. BUT that’s not acceptable ever at all even once.
So I have made up what I feel is a reasonable policy concerning gun handling.
Basically you can’t touch your gun unless it is at the sight in bench or firing line. Or if filling and doing work the picnic table is provided.

You can’t walk around with a rifle in your hand. All the rifles must be in a case or tote.
I showed my set up that has developed over many years.

This is the post I made to the club. Please add or correct this I don’t want anyone to get hurt.

This weekend was a great learning experience for me as a match director and I hope everyone enjoyed shooting some targets. There are a couple areas I need to work on at the range. Safety is always my number one concern. Normally a competitor moves from station to station or lane to lane with the gun and all the equipment. You need to keep all the rifles pointed in a safe direction. You should only be handled a rifle at the lane entrance or sight in table. Otherwise they need to be stored safely in a case. You can’t carry the rifle to the shooting lane.

So think about finding some sort of gun case or tote to hold your gun and accessories as you move from lane to lane without touching your gun. You really can’t walk around with a rifle. If you need to work on or fill your gun. The picnic table is a good place for that. Just keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

When the cold line is called you need to put your gun down. And do not touch it as people are fixing targets. And you don’t want to lay it on the ground. Plus you need a place for pellets and a towel and water the sight in card. All that is in with the gun easy to reach and it is portable.

A lot of people modify golf bags and have rolling carts that hold the gun pointing up or down .

I use a wood case that holders my gun, sticks and ammo. The bucket holds water and towels and food .

Most just use a large soft sided rifle case. That also holds everything. What ever you come up with you must keep the gun in a case unless you are shooting it. And when you sit the case down the muzzles must be pointed into the woods or down range.


One example of a fancy British field target bag.


This is what I use. It is made of boards from Lowe’s and it carries my gun sticks and accessories.

Please post up photos I can use of rigs you use to carry your field target stuff.

IMG_7671.jpeg
 
All you can do is "TRAIN YOUR TROOPS"
At each matches safety / pre match meeting just keep stating your rules and wants/desires of the conduct expected of those present !!
Also have others causally correct conduct if seen or have an open channel that if an individual is not following your set forth rules it is reported back to you the Match director.

Our club started the same way with similar concerns / issues ... at @ 13 years now as the MD, feel I've got a pretty good handle on it now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thane
In addition to guns not being handled unless at the line or filling, you should add that all guns must be covered, either with the soft bag, or a rag over the trigger group. Also, make sure the guns are unloaded and if they have a magazine it must be removed between lanes.

You're doing great btw.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Iowa Airgunner
... have others causally correct conduct ,,,
This.

Many have learned their range policing from field sergeants barking orders, waiting to spring on the faintest whisp of safety concern and then feel like they are doing a great job in the duty of safety. We are not wearing ear protection and are not fond of being yelled at or yelling at others.

Be safe, be helpful, you will achieve better/lasting compliance. We are not a bunch of 18 year old recruits, we are mostly a bunch of geriatric hobbyists some who can still hear.