EWR&G

RANGE RULES

As revised October 2007

1. Safety is every shooter’s job. All members are responsible to call a cease-fire should any unsafe conditions be observed. All such conditions must be reported to the Range Officer, if present. If a Range Office is not present, the member should contact the chairman of the RP committee by phone asap. The rifle and pistol range rules specifically include all rules included in the General Safety Rules. No smoking is allowed in the pistol house; if you must smoke, step outside for your smoke.

2. Shooting will be permitted on the range from 9:00 a.m. until sunset. Monthly schedules posted in the clubhouse indicate Range Officer coverage. In the event that the pistol house is to be closed for any reason, the Board of Directors shall provide adequate notice.

3. Shooting during approved hours may only occur when a trained EWR&G Range Officer is scheduled and present, unless the shooter is a paid up member in good standing and has taken the Orientation Class For New Members. All shooters must log in and out when using the range.

4. If present, the Range Officer has singular authority at the range and is authorized by the Board of Directors and the membership to exercise control of the range. Members who disregard the Range Officer’s warnings are subject to suspension and/or expulsion from the club as published in the EWR&G bylaws as amended. In the absence of the Range Officer, members must assume the responsibility for their own safety and the safety of other shooters on the range. The members must enforce the safety rules.

5. The muzzles of all firearms must be pointed downrange at all times. Firearms must not be loaded until the shooter is ready to shoot. The shooter must not place the trigger finger inside the trigger guard until the shooter is ready to make the shot.

6. Members, as long as they have completed the Orientation Class, may bring one “family-member” with them to use the range at any time. The member shall ensure that the family member is familiar with the range rules, and the family member MUST sign a waiver prior to shooting. “Family-members” include only spouses, children under the age of 18, full-time college students, or active members of the armed forces. The sponsoring member will be responsible for the actions of the family member. The member and the family member shall share one port. Only one shooter may use the port at any one time.

7. Members, as long as they have completed the Orientation Class, may bring only one “non-family-member guest” when a Range Officer is present and on duty Saturday & Sunday morning. The member shall ensure that the guest is familiar with the range rules, and the guest MUST sign a waiver prior to shooting. The sponsoring member will be responsible for the actions of the guest. The member and the guest shall share one port. Only one shooter may use the port at any one time. A “non-family-member guest” is only allowed to come as a guest three times, paying $5 each time, and then must become a club member.

8. Safety or protective glasses are mandatory and must be worn by all shooters and observer at the range at all times. Ear protection is also mandatory for all shooters and observer. There will be no exceptions.

9. There will be no cross firing on the range at any time. Two shooters must not shoot at the same target at any time. All targets must be set up so that all expended projectiles will impact directly on the 25, 50 and 100 yard backstops.

10. No more than TEN shells or cartridges shall be loaded into any firearm at any time. Rapid fire will be at the discretion of the Range Officer, if present. Otherwise, rapid fire is not allowed.

11. No armor piercing ammunition shall be permitted on the range at any time. Possession of such ammo is illegal in Rhode Island. Jacketed or lead bullets only are allowed.

12. Prior to anyone going downrange, all firearms shall be unloaded with actions open and magazine out and laid on the firing bench pointing downrange. All firearms must remain in that condition until all people are back in the pistol house, and after the range has been declared open for shooting. Before anyone proceeds downrange, the red flashing light MUST be turned on. All shooters and observers MUST stay behind the red safety line while the red light is flashing. Violators of this primary safety rule may be asked to leave the range. Such violators may be brought before the Board of Directors for appropriate action.

13. All firearms must be bagged or boxed when being transported from the car to the pistol house. All firearms must be unloaded and bagged or holstered when transported from port to port or to outside.

14. VIOLATION: Members observed in violation of safety rules may have their right to shoot on this range revoked. Such violations may result in suspension or expulsion from the club as provided in the EWR&G bylaws as amended. Such members must appear before the Board of Directors and they may possibly be subject to fines of $25.00 and/or revocation of membership.

15. Fully automatic firearms may only be used on the range with the written approval of the Board of Directors. Proper state and federal permits are required.

16. When the trap or skeet fields are open, no one may go downrange or in front of the pistol house for any reason.

17. There will be NO gun handling unless you are at the shooting port or outside at the shooting counter. Firearms transported to and from the outside plates must be unloaded, made safe, and placed in a holster or case.

18. When not using the firearm, it must be unloaded with the action open, magazine out, with the muzzle pointed downrange. A loaded firearms must never be out of the shooter’s hand.

19. Shotguns may not be fired at steel plates. Center fire rifles may only be fired at steel plates at 100 yards.

20. Membership cards or valid receipts are required at the Rifle Pistol range. Members are required to have their membership cards visible on their person at all times while on the range. Members shooting without a Range Office present must have proof that they have successfully completed the Orientation Class For New Members.

21. When shooting black powder, and/or similar powders, extra precaution needs to be taken due to the highly explosive nature of this material. Shooting black power, and/or similar powders, is ONLY allowed outside on the deck and NO MORE THAN 1 (one) shooter at any given time will be allowed to shoot when black power, and/or similar powders, is being used.