Range etiquette for the new (and old) shooter
Going to the gun range is something that every gun owner takes seriously. It is an important part of owning firearms. After all, the only time we can safely discharge our weapons is at range.
But, just like bowling, golfing, or anything else you can think of, shooting has its own set of rules that must be followed in order for everyone to have a good time and stay safe.
- Never, under any circumstances, point your firearm at another person. You need to practice muzzle awareness at all times, because the last thing you could ever want to happen is to accidentally shoot someone else at the range.
- Always point your weapon downrange, even if it is unloaded. It is a good practice to get into, and it makes people feel a lot safer at the range. Even if, and I don't recommend doing this, you have to walk with your gun in your hand (which isn't a good idea), leave it pointed down range (in fact, scratch this one off). Just don't walk with your gun in hand unless it's in its own case.
- Don't shoot at targets other than your own. This has happened to me before, and it absolutely drove me nuts. The other people played it off like it wasn't a big deal. They saw my point after I told them I was writing a gun review for The Truth About Guns, and needed to show how accurate the rifle was.
- If there isn't an RSO, make sure you have someone calling the shots. In other words, if nobody else is calling the range “hot” and “cold” you need to do it. The best way for everyone to stay safe is to have someone telling all shooters on the line when it is okay to fire and when to stop.
- Always clean up after yourself. Nothing is worse than having to go remove someone's targets and having to pick up their brass. Well, some people leave brass for other shooters who like to reload. But, I never leave mine because I think it's just rude.
- When the firing line is cold, never, ever pick up your gun and start handling it. That is a good way to give someone a heart attack.
- When the line is called cold, remove any and all ammunition from your weapon. It's also a good idea to leave the action locked open.
- When you're on the firing line, you're shooting. If you're not shooting, you're not on the firing line. It's that simple. To expand on this, when you're actually firing, you belong on the line. Not in front of it. Not behind it. On it. Oh, and don't hover over another shooter. That's just rude.
- Transport your firearms in some sort of case. This kind of goes along with the not muzzling someone rule above, but is different enough that it gets its own bullet point.
- If you bring someone to your range, make sure they know the basic safety rules before you ever put a firearm in their hands. In fact, you better know the four basic safety rules, too.
- Never handle another shooter's gun without explicit permission first.
- If you don't know what you're doing, tell someone. Gun enthusiasts love to help people, and often like to offer up help without you ever needing it. Trust me when I say that it's better to ask than it is to put someone's life in danger.
- Be courteous. Don't try to coach anyone else if they're doing something wrong (unless it is dangerous).
- Finally, it's always a good idea to refresh your range's rules each time you go. It can't hurt and only takes a few minutes of your time. This could potentially save someone's life.
I apologize if I sound angry, but I've seen so much stupidity at the range, where people could have gotten hurt, that it's amazing I haven't witnessed anyone getting shot, yet.
This is serious stuff that needs to be taken as such. Sounds Off, Gun Carriers! Do you agree with all I've said here? Did we forget anything?
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Editor's Note: This article was originally published on April 25, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Use a Chamber Safety Flag even if the range does not require it. During matches the CSF is required by our range but not during open shooting times. Many of the member who shoot competition use the CSF even during practice and open shooting times and encourage others to use the CSF.
Smoking of any kind should be strictly forbidden near any shooter using black powder. Just a spark from a cigarette can ignite a container of powder.
A proper gun case prevents access to the trigger, and does NOT include that of a gun sock.
If you can’t find chamber flags, you can buy brightly colored zip ties at Harbor Freight, 100 for a couple of bucks. They will fit all chambers from .22 on up. At one time H.F. had dayglow yellow zip ties which were perfect as c.s.f. Recently they have been out of the dayglow color but still have other colored zip ties other than black or white. Not shilling for H.F., just mentioning another source of supply.
I was at a public shooting range that uses a RSO from its club members. I had finished what I come come to do but the line was still hot. As i sat at my shooting bench I bagged up my gun, boxed up my ammo and step off the line and sat on the bench several feet behind the yellow line and waited for the cease fire, chamber check and the all clear call to clean up my empties and remove and return my target and frame set. But after i sat down to wait the RSO bellowed through the PA system that I had violated safety proticall of the range. What is the universal procedure when finished? Thank you.
It’s always best to check the rules and regs of your local range to make sure you’re up to date. Each range has different rules in place.
Some ranges have a bewildering array of rules and regulations. I used to live in Utah and enjoyed going to the excellent outdoor range that was provided by the State of Utah. There was an nice array of pistol, shotgun and rifle ranges and very few rules or restrictions. Then I moved out East to Virginia for a job, and was very surprised at the difference here.
A while back I was on one of the few local outdoor ranges where I could shoot rifles, and was enjoying a day with my M1A. I stood up at my spot and fired a few shots off, but was then told by the RSO that I was violating the rules. He pointed to (please believe me on this) three long lists of rules posted at the far end of the range from the entry point. Sure enough, there it was . . you could only shoot rifles at this range when sitting on the bench at your shooting point.
I thought this was a bit over the top, but after I did some research I found that this range (behind a gun shop) had been built long ago when there were no other businesses around. Since then a lot of commercial property had been sold and the only way these guys could keep their range operating was to implement a lot of rules intended to keep the neighbors, and more importantly the zoning commission happy. I rarely use that range anymore because it’s a pain to go to, but I do understand why they do what they do.
You know, when I read through this article I thought these were really such basic considerations, why in the heck would you ever have to write an article about them. But then, I thought about some of the stupidity I’ve seen at ranges, and understood completely.
I’m pretty good friends with Paul, the guy who runs our local indoor pistol range, and some of the stories he tells me and the things I’ve seen there are absolutely astonishing. Like the guy who rented a pistol there and then took it out on the range to show his friend how to shoot, disassembled the rental gun, and promptly launched the recoil spring down range. He asked all us other shooters to hold fire so he could go down range and retrieve it, but I told him no way was he going down range and to go get Paul to deal with the situation.
A time I didn’t witness but was told about, was a guy who’d bought a new XD and took it to the range. The typical ignorant sporting goods store clerk who sold it to him had told him he had to dissemble the gun after every five shots and clean it for the break-in period. So, he took it to the range and did just that, but he wasn’t too good at it and launched the recoil spring down range not once but twice before Paul finally figured out what was going on and set the poor guy straight.
I’m very happy to see new shooters getting into gun ownership and learning to enjoy shooting and protect themselves, but we really need a way to identify and give new shooters the support and training they need.