Version 1.8 February 10,2003
Overview
Section 1 Terminology
Section 1 contains definitions for the terms used in this document and some common terms from range documentation.
Section 2 Gun Handling Rules
Section 2 contains specific gun handling safety rules to be observed on the Skeet Range.
Section 3 General Range Rules
Section 3 contains general range rules on how to safely use the Skeet Range.
Section 4 Specific Range Rules
Section 4 contains rules that are unique and specific to the Skeet Range. This includes type of targets allowed and ammunition restrictions.
Section 5 Administrative Range Rules
Section 5 contains rules that define hours of operation, notification for repairs and emergencies, and other rules pertaining to the administration of the Skeet Range.
Skeet Range Safety Plan
Overview
This safety plan has been established to ensure the safety of those individuals who use this facility and the community at large. The rules and regulations in this document are to ensure the continuity of this facility and the continued safety of users and neighbors of this facility.
The use of the Skeet Range at the Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (LCC-IWLA) is a privilege, and the use of firearms is an inherently dangerous activity. Your activities and actions must always be conducted in a manner that is consistent to safeguard yourself and others against harm or injury,and property against damage and destruction. The rules in this safety plan shall be adhered to in order toprotect the lives and safety of all, and preserve your privilege.
Failure to follow the rules in this safety plan will result in punishment from the Board of Directors LCC-IWLA. The Skeet Range Chairman, LCC-IWLA officers, or member of the LCC-IWLA Board of Directors shall have the authority to take immediate action to suspend range privileges of users found violating the safety rules pending action by a majority of the Board of Directors LCC-IWLA.
This document was developed using “The NRA Range Source Book”. The structure of this document and the Gun Handling Rules are taken from “The NRA Range Source Book”. This rules set complies with the recommendations of the NRA.
Skeet Range Safety Plan
1. Terminology Definitions:
Action: The “working mechanism” of a firearm that loads, fires, extracts and ejects a spent cartridge, and in some instances reloads a new cartridge.
Archery: The shooting of arrows or bolts from a bow. See Bowhunting.
Backstop: A device constructed to stop or redirect bullets fired on a range.
Baffles: Barriers to contain bullets and to reduce, redirect or suppress sound waves. Baffles are placed either overhead, alongside or at ground level to restrict or interrupt errant or off-the-target shots.
Ballistics: The study of what happens to moving projectiles in the barrel and in flight – their trajectory, force, impact and penetration. The study is divided into three sections: internal, external and terminal. “Internal” refers to what happens inside the barrel before the bullet or shot leaves the muzzle. “External” is what happens after the bullet or shot leaves the barrel and travels to its final point of impact. “Terminal” is what happens to the bullet or shot at the final point of impact.
Ballistic Coefficient: A number which indicates how a bullet’s shape, length, weight, diameter and nose design affect its stability, velocity and range against air resistance.
Barrel: The metal tube of a gun made from iron or steel through which the bullet or shot charge passes when a gun is fired.
Berm: An embankment used for restricting bullets to a given area or as a dividing wall between ranges.
Blackpowder: A finely ground mixture of three basic ingredients sulfur, charcoal (carbon) and saltpeter (potassium nitrate). Often used to refer to blackpowder substitutes, such as Pyrodex.
BoD: Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America Board of Directors
Bowhunting: A term used to describe the act of hunting game with a bow and arrows/bolts
Breech: The rear end of the barrel. In modern firearms the portion of the barrel into which the cartridge or shotshell is inserted. See Chamber.
Breechloader: A firearm loaded through the breech.
Bullet: A single projectile fired from a firearm.
Bullet Trap: A device designed to trap or capture the entire bullet and fragments as opposed to redirecting the projectile into a water or sand pit.
Cartridge: A self-contained unitized round of ammunition made up of a case, primer, powder and a bullet. The case is usually made from brass, but may be steel metal alloy or plastic.
Calibration Stake: A stake painted red and located on the infield in front of Station #8 where the flight path of clays thrown from the high and low house intersect 15 feet above the ground and located at a common point 21 yards from the leading edge of stations 1 through 7.
Chamber: The enlarged portion of the barrel at the breech in which the cartridge or shotshell is placed ready for firing.
Cease Fire: A range command. All shooters should immediately stop firing and make their firearms safe. Loaded firearms shall remain pointed downrange.
Discipline: A means of enforcing rules, including procedure, penalties, and administrative processes.
Drop Zone: On the skeet range, the area where expended shot does or may fall; or any part of a broken or unbroken clay target may fall.
Energy: The amount of work done by a bullet, expressed in foot pounds.
Firearm: A term used to describe any gun, usually small, from which a bullet is propelled by means of hot gasses generated by burning powder (usually smokeless or black powder).
Firing Distance: The distance between the firing line and the target line.
Firing Line: A line parallel to the targets from where firearms are discharged.
Firing Position (Point): An area directly behind the firing line having a specified width and depth that is occupied by a shooter, his equipment, and if appropriate, an instructor or coach.
Firing Station: see Station
Firing Range: A facility designed for the purpose of providing a place on which to discharge firearms, or shoot airguns.
Gun: An instrument that uses a propelling charge to move a projectile. For the purposes of this manual, the term includes both firearms and airguns.
Handgun: A slang term used to describe pistols, either auto-loading, single shot or cylinder types held in one or two hands with no other support, such as shoulder stock, etc.
Hangfire: A perceptible delay in firing of the shell or cartridge.
HOT range: A “HOT” range is one where firearms are currently being shot. When a range is declared “HOT” it means that users of the range may begin firing.
Impact Area: That area in a backstop or bullet trap directly behind the target where bullets are expected to impact. The term may also refer to a safety zone or area down range of an outdoor range where bullets will impact if not captured in a backstop.
Infield: The area between the trap houses and bounded by and including all walkways between stations.
LCC-IWLA: Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.
Line of Sight: An imaginary straight line from the eye through the sights of a gun to the target.
Machine Gun: A firearm which fires more than one cartridge when the trigger is pulled only once.
Magazine: The part of a repeating firearm which holds cartridges in position ready to be loaded one at a time into the chamber. The magazine may be an integral part of a firearm or a separate device attached to the action.
Misfire: Failure of a cartridge to discharge after a firearm’s firing pin has struck the primer.
Modern Shotgun: A shotgun type of firearm which uses a shotshell as defined herein.
Muzzle: The forward end of the barrel where the bullet exits the firearm.
Muzzle Energy: The energy of a bullet as it emerges from the muzzle. (Usually expressed in foot pounds)
Muzzleloader: Any number of firearms (pistols, rifles and shotguns) designed to be loaded from the muzzle end of the firearm or barrel. The term is often used loosely to refer to firearms loaded from the forward end of a swing out breech.
Noise: Unwanted sound. See Sound.
NSSA: National Skeet Shooting Association. The official governing body for skeet shooting.
Penetration: The distance traveled by a projectile from the point of impact, in a given media, to its final stopping point.
Pistol: A firearm capable of being held, aimed and fired with one hand. Also known as a revolver or a handgun.
Range: The distance traveled by a projectile from the firearm to a final impact point. Three terms apply to range: “point blank,” “effective,” and “extreme.” Point blank range refers to distance less than five yards; effective range means the greatest distance a projectile will travel with accuracy; extreme range means the maximum distance a projectile will travel. Also refers to the facility designated by the LCC-IWLA Chapter for the purpose of shooting at regulation targets.
Range and/or Related Facilities: The range area proper, buildings, structures, or rooms associated with the Skeet Range and under the primary control or use authority of the Skeet Chairman.
Range Warden: Any officer or board member of the LCC-IWLA or their appointees.
Revolver: A type of pistol equipped with a cylinder that consists of several chambers, each containing a cartridge or loading components. See pistol.
Rifle: A modern firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder. Its main characteristic is a rifled (grooved) barrel that imparts a spin to a single projectile as it travels through the bore. Some rifles designed for military and law enforcement use may have a pistol grip stock in addition to or instead of a shoulder stock.
Rules and Regulations: Standards used in the operation of a shooting range. Rules and regulations are set up to govern the method of range operation to include health and safety. The violation of the rules and regulations generally carries penalties enforced by operations personnel.
Safety Baffles: Vertical or sloping barriers designed to prevent a projectile from traveling into an undesired area or direction. Most often used to prevent bullets from leaving the range proper.
Safety Zone: The area directly behind the shooting station currently in use generally defined by imaginary lines projected rearward and 45 degrees on either side of the center line of a shooting station directly behind the shooter. Also, an area adjacent to the skeet range which is subject to potential shot or clay deposit and may or may not be designated by signage.
Shot: The balls or pellets loaded in a shotshell.
Shotgun: A firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder with a smoothbore barrel that fires shotshells possessing a varying number of pellets. Some barrels are designed to be used with rifled slugs, and the barrel may be rifled. Some shotguns designed for military or law enforcement may have a pistol grip in addition to or instead of a shoulder stock.
Shotshell (Shell): A cartridge, designed to be used in shotguns. A unitized round of ammunition is comprised of a hull or shell, a primer, powder, shotcup or wad and shot. Shells are normally constructed from plastic or paper.
Shot Size: The diameter of a single shot ball as stated in standard munitions terms by a numeric value.
Small Arms: Firearms that may be both carried and discharged by one person, as opposed to artillery pieces. Small arms are not subject to precise definitions, but the term usually includes rifles, handguns (pistols), shotguns, submachine guns and machine guns.
Sound: The sensation perceived by the sense of hearing. A loud disagreeable sound is referred to as noise.
Station or Shooting Station: One of the 8 designated shooting locations on a Skeet range as defined in the NSSA regulations.
Trajectory: The path a projectile travels from the muzzle to the point of impact.
Trap: A device or machine used to launch targets in the air or on the ground. Usually used in sporting clays and skeet shooting.
Trap House: The structure containing the trap machine.
Velocity: The speed at which a projectile travels. Usually measured in feet per second.
Section 2
Gun Handling Rules
2.1 Always keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a safe direction. A “safe” direction is defined as downrange towards the target area or straight up. Downrange is defined as between the two trap houses in the direction of the range calibration stake.
2.2 Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. You shall keep your finger off the trigger until ready to call for your bird.
2.3 Keep the action open and the firearm unloaded until ready to use. Shotguns may be placed in the shotgun racks during a cease fire and when not in use. Break action shotguns may be closed while in the rack, but must be opened as soon as they are removed from the rack. All other shotgun action types shall have the action open while on the range or in the rack unless the shooter is on a station and ready to shoot.
2.4 Be aware of your target and what is beyond. Shooters must yield to all traffic on Mountain Springs Road and the entrance to the LCC-IWLA facility.
2.5 Eye and hearing protection is required for everyone on the range while the range is “HOT”. Eye protection is defined as lenses covering your eyes. Half glass (reading glasses) are not appropriate eye protection. Eye protection will be worn so it covers your eyes. Hearing protection will be worn over or in the ears. A hat or cap of some sort is recommended but not required.
2.6 Do not mix alcohol or drugs with shooting activities. Alcohol is prohibited on Chapter grounds. If a person is taking aprescription, over the counter drug bearing a warning about operating machinery, driving etc., or any substance which adversely affects their individual performance, that person will refrain from engaging in shooting activities until free from the effects of the drug or substance.
2.7 Be sure your firearm and ammunition are compatible. Carry only the correct gauge shells for the shotgun you are currently shooting. When switching to a different gauge barrel or shotgun, store the shells that were previously being used.
Section 3
General Range Rules
3.1 Know where others are at all times. The downrange (target) area shall be checked before any firing commences. Non-shooters must be in the safety zones immediately behind the current shooting station or completely off the range before loading or shooting commences.
3.2 Remove the magazine, shells, snap caps, or hulls from any part of the firearm, unload the chamber, open the action, and rack all firearms during a cease fire.
3.3 Two shells may be loaded on all stations with the exception of Station #8. On Station #8 only one shell may be loaded. At no time will more than two shells be loaded in a shotgun on the Skeet Range.
3.4 Do not load or fire your shotgun unless you are on a shooting station. A shotgun is considered loaded when the chamber or any part of the shotgun is occupied by a shell or hull, and shall be treated as a loaded shotgun.
3.5 Shotguns will be unloaded and the action will be open before stepping off the firing station. If a gun or trap malfunction occurs or the house runs out of birds the shotgun will be completely unloaded and action opened before any shooter steps off the station or before anyone traverses the range outside the safety zone
3.6 If a shell misfires keep the shotgun pointed downrange for a minimum of 30 seconds before unloading. Do not place the misfired shell in your pocket or pouch.
3.7 No hand held or portable traps may be used. No unauthorized devices or equipment may be used on, attached or connected to Skeet Range equipment. Exceptions may be granted by the Skeet Range Chairman.
3.8 Any shooter whose shotgun accidentally discharges for mechanical reasons shall be required to change shotguns or, if time permits, make repairs before continuing to shoot.
3.9 The Skeet Range may not be used if grass, leaves, or debris are present on the shooting stations or in the hull drop areas around the shooting stations that could obscure a live round. These areas shall be cleared before the range is used.
3.10 National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) Rules shall prevail. A copy of the NSSA rules is available from the Skeet Range Chairman, or will be posted in the Skeet Range shelter area. Only one shooter may fire at a time, and only one shot per clay (target) is permitted. Special events requiring other types of shooting must be approved by the Skeet Range Chairman or the BoD.
Section 4
Specific Range Rules
4.1 No shot other than #9 shall be used on the skeet range, no tracer or incendiary type shells shall be used. No loads greater than 2 ¾ dram equivalent shall be used. Shot size for #9 is .08 inches in diameter. This rule is mandated by safety and EPA environmental requirements and there are no exceptions. Violators will be subject to permanent suspension and trespassing charges.
4.2 Only legal modern 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 gauge shotguns may be fired. Under no circumstances shall pistols, rifles, or black powder firearms be used on the skeet range.
4.3 Only clay targets may be used. Other targets must be approved by the Skeet Range Chairman.
4.4 Shooters may not advance to the next station until all shooters in the group have completed the current shooting station. Shooters in waiting and spectators must be in the safety zone behind the current station. Shooters and spectators may not be on the walkways between shooting stations during any shooting activity. Spectators may also observe from the shelter.
4.5 The use of the field shall be limited to 30 minutes or one regulation round of skeet if groups are waiting to use the Skeet Range.
4.6 After shooting and before leaving the Skeet Range roll up the release cord and place it in the storage box, turn off the power to the trap machines, release the arms of the trap machines, sweep out the trap houses and lock the trap houses, and turn off the main power in the shelter. The blue light on the shelter pole should be on when main range power is on, and should be off when main range power is off.
4.7 You are responsible to clean up the range when you have completed your shooting. All hulls must be removed from the range surface and disposed of in an appropriate manner. Empty clay boxes and other large containers shall be removed from the range and placed in the dumpster. If a trash container is full it shall be emptied into the dumpster and returned to the range grounds.
4.9 Only members who have completed training AND are certified may enter the trap houses. Under no circumstances are any guests, or other persons other than trained and certified IWLA members are to enter the trap houses, load clay targets, open trap house windows, retrieve objects from within the trap houses, or operate trap machine.
4.10 Except when shooting at Station 8, all persons on the skeet range will refrain from passing in front, or conducting activities in an area in front of the open trap house window where one is in danger of being struck by a clay target.
Section 5
Administrative Range Rules
5.1 Chapter members are responsible for any guests they may bring on Chapter property. This includes making the guest aware of all range rules and regulations before that guest uses the range facilities.
5.2 All members and their guests must sign-in and sign-out of the Skeet Range. Members or their guests who are found using Skeet Range facilities and who have not signed in, will be asked to sign-in or leave the Skeet Range.
5.3 Members are required to display a valid membership card while using the Skeet Range. If discovered using the Skeet Range without displaying a valid membership card, you will be asked to identify yourself and display your card or leave the range. Members, guests or visitor who fail to identify themselves or leave the range when asked will be subject to permanent suspension or trespassing charges.
5.4 Any designated Range Warden controls the range. All directives from that person or their representatives must be followed immediately. Appeals of the directives may be brought to the Skeet Range Chairman or the BoD, but the directive must be followed at the time it is given unless doing so would endanger the safety of people on the range.
5.5 When using the skeet range you shall ensure that the combinations to the trap houses are not displayed after opening. The trap houses must be locked before leaving the range if no others are waiting to shoot.
5.6 Unleashed animals (pets) are not allowed in the range area. Wild animals that may enter the range area shall be run off, not by shooting at them. If a wild animal enters the range area, a cease-fire shall be called until the animal is off the range.
5.7 Hours of Operation for the range facility are 9 AM until the posted time. No shooting may occur before 9 AM or after the posted closing time. Range hours of operations will be posted in the shelter area of the Skeet Range.
5.8 All shooting range facilities are closed on The Fourth of July, Christmas, and every Sunday. Educational shooting sessions approved by the Skeet Range Chairman and BoD may be held on Sundays with the exception of Easter Sunday. No shooting is permitted before 11:00 AM on Sundays.
5.9 Fires, open flames, or charcoal fueled cooking devices are prohibited on the Skeet Range and associated facilities.
5.10 Skeet Range facilities may be reserved by groups if approved by the BoD and or the Skeet Range Chairman. All reservations, special or group activities must be coordinated through the Skeet Range Chairman. Exceptions to range rules may be granted by the BoD or the Skeet Range Chairman as needed by special groups using the range. The BoD or Skeet Range Chairman will not grant exceptions to Gun Handling Rules in Section 2.
5.11 Every member using the Skeet Range is responsible to ensure the rules are followed. Everyone shall report violations of Skeet Range rules and/or unsafe circumstances to a BoD member or the Chapter or the Skeet Range Chairman. The BoD member or Skeet Range Chairman shall maintain the confidentiality of the person making the report.
5.12 No notices or signage shall be posted on any part of the Skeet Range facility without the permission of the BoD or the Skeet Range Chairman. The only exception is a notice of a safety problem may be posted. If a safety notice is posted the BoD or the Skeet Range Chairman shall be notified immediately.
5.13 All members must complete a Chapter Skeet Range Certification to use any of the range facilities. The Chapter Range Certification session will cover all the range facility rules and regulations including the proper use and operation of the Skeet Range. These sessions shall be conducted by the Second Vice-President (Membership) or his/her designee(s). Use of the Skeet Range is subject to approval of the Skeet Range Chairman and/or the BoD.
5.14 The Skeet Range Chairman, Chapter President or officer or BoD member shall be notified whenever 911 is called; or emergency response personnel are called to the Skeet Range on Chapter property; or for any incident requiring medical attention, even after the fact. The physical location of the Chapter property shall be posted in the Skeet Range shelter along with a listing of contact numbers for people who need to be notified.
5.15 No construction on, alteration to, digging or depositing of soil, planting or removal of vegetation, mowing or any modification to the range and or related facilities is allowed without the prior approval of the Skeet Range Chairman or the BoD.
5.16 The Chapter President, BoD, and Skeet Range Chairman have final authority on all Skeet Range facilities and their use.
5.17 These rules may be changed, amended, or rescinded at any time with approval of the Skeet Range Chairman and a majority vote of the BoD. Any permanent changes will be finalized in accordance with the “rules” procedures of the Chapter by-laws.
5.18 All federal, state, and local laws in addition to Chapter rules & regulations shall be obeyed while on Chapter property including the Skeet Range.