Range Safety 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 you will set your cased gun on the sidewalk behind your station. Immediately after uncasing, open the action and check both the chamber and magazine to be sure the gun is not loaded and the barrel is clear. After this, proceed to your station or stand by as directed by the coach.

 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 FIRE!” 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.