Purbeck Gun Club

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Range Rules

Purbeck gun club range rules

  1. All weapons brought into the range are to be kept on the tables provided.
  2. No weapons are to be handled without the owners consent and must be proved by the owner before being handed to anyone.
  3. No weapons or magazines to be loaded anywhere else than at the firing point and only after the order to "load".
  4. When at firing point guns are to kept pointing down range.
  5. Guns are not to be handled whilst people are forward of the firing point. If anyone has to go forward on the firing point after the command "load" the commany "unload" will be given. Unload gun, place on the firing point and stand back. If youhave to leave the firing point for any reason – unload gun and put it down on the firing point in a proved condition.
  6. If you have a fault or misfire – raise your hand and the range officer will assist you. Do not turn round.
  7. After firing unload magazine, leave gun in a proved condition and take one step backwards. Remain there until given further commands.
  8. No alcohol to be consumed before shooting.
  9. Nearest telephone for emergency in vista bar or priests road down lane.
  10. No smoking in range.

Proving a gun

A gun is said to be proved when it can be seen to be empty i.e. the magazine is removed from an automatic and the breech is locked in an open position, so it can be seen that the barrel is empty and the firing pin clear.

In the case of revolvers the cyliner is swung out.

This is the term to be used in the future for any empty gun, so you are familiar with the word and its meaning when it is used on other ranges and at competitions.

General Range Rules

  1. Only Rifles and Pistols of approved type and having acceptable proofing together with appropriate ammunition will be allowed.
  2. The Range Officers have the authority to ban any weapon or ammunition on the Range if they consider either to be unsafe or inappropriate.
  3. Shooting may only take place when the Range is SAFE.
  4. In the interest of SAFETY, there must be a Committee Member, Qualified Coach, or other Authorized Member present together with at least two other persons before shooting may commence.
  5. The Range Officer will appoint Assistants as required to run the Firing Point and/or other Duties, including The Butts at Long Range.
  6. The Assistant Range Officers are in complete charge of the proceedings under the Chief Range Officer.
  7. Nobody will advance forward of the Firing Point unless authorized by the Range Officer on the Point, or the Chief Range Officer.
  8. Any person pointing a weapon at another person or persons in any circumstances whatsoever and whether loaded or otherwise, or being found guilty of any practice which in the opinion of the Committee on deliberation on the report from the Range Officer of the day, will be liable to expulsion from the CLUB. (See constitution rule 20 a,b,c)
  9. a; Members are reminded that it is an offence to carry any firearm exposed in any Public Place.
    b. Beginners and those not having a firearm certificate are further reminded hat it is also a serious offence to remove ammunition from the Range.
  10. On Range Precincts, all Firearms will be kept unloaded with their actions open at all times except when on the firing point, (see 11 a and b) or they are properly stowed within their carrying cases or other receptacle for transport or holstered.
  11. a. At the Firing Point, no weapon will be touched or loaded during a Cease Fire.
    b. Weapons may be handled and/or loaded only after the Range - Officer has so advised for resumption of shooting, or has otherwise given specific permission.
    c. Members wishing to demonstrate, show, or coach with a weapon must first take the same to the FUMBLE ZONE designated on all ranges by Usage.
  12. On the Command Cease Fire, all weapons will be unloaded immediately and placed with actions open on the bench or other support at long range, and with their muzzles pointing towards the targets.
  13. Should there be any cause for shooting to be interrupted on any Range and for whatever reason, the call Cease Fire by anyone will be obeyed immediately and the weapon made safe as in rule (12).
  14. Any Member or Spectator seeing that the Range is not SAFE must call Cease Fire and have the same authority in such an emergency as the Range Officer.
  15. During a Match and when Beginners are being instructed, should there be a ‘jam’ or other stoppage with either weapon or target, the Shooter will raise his/her disengaged arm to attract the attention of the Range Officer who will deal with the matter according to the appropriate Rules.
  16. When a Match is in progress or Members are shooting League Targets, all other Members will have the courtesy of observing reasonable silence to avoid any distraction, and will assist the Range Officer in ensuring that only the permitted number of shooters and others are on the Firing Point and the others are all standing well back from the point.
  17. The Committee impress on all Members that it is one of the Conditions of their membership that they should help maintain a TIDY Range, with particular care being taken to avoid leaving any live ammunition unaccounted for. All dangerous or potentially dangerous rubbish which may be found shall be the responsibility of the finder to remove. A TIDY RANGE IS A SAFE RANGE!
  18. Competitive shooting will always be carried out in accordance with the rules of the N.S.R.A. or N.R.A. or other properly constituted Body as relevant and as maybe modified by local Range conditions.
  19. During Practice Meetings only, the duration of details on the Firing Point will be decided by the Range Officer in charge of the point in conference with the Shooters on the detail and any waiting to shoot. Thus any Member wishing to shoot a Match Target may ask for a Cease Fire in order to put up or retrieve such a target or targets.
  20. Other than special competitions as arranged from time to time, all shooting will be carried out from behind the benches or tables provided at 20 to 25 meters and from the regular positions at Long Range Meetings.
  21. Until a Beginner has satisfied the conditions laid down in Constitution Rule 11 He/She will be required to be supervised by a CLUB COACH or Authorized Senior Member at all times in the interests of Safety and will comply with all instructions given by the said Supervisor.
  22. Those wishing to shoot special targets and/or rifles on any practice detail must first consult the Range Officer as to the position they should occupy.
  23. At Long Range Meetings, the Butt Parties will not vacate their position until the BUTTS OFFICER for the time being has communicated with the FIRING POINT in order to ascertain that it is SAFE to leave and so informs his party, raising the Red Flag before doing so.
  24. The Range-is not-safe unless/until there is properly coordinated communication between Butt and Firing Points at Long Range.
  25. Both Butts and Firing Point Officers may separately call for Cease Fire without consultation should the need arise.
  26. All Range Officers will endeavor to give following details ample warning so that they may prepare for their own detail.
  27. Details vacating the Firing Point will do so as quickly as possible and-with the minimum disturbance to others.
  28. Coaches and other instructors may-not supervise more than two Beginners at a time and these must be on adjacent firing positions.
  29. The Rules applying to any discipline will be clearly explained to each and every detail before their Match begins.
  30. Except as provided by the Range Officer and unless a Cease Fire is in force, no Shooter may approach the Firing Point without permission of the Range Officer or leave it without weapon clearance by the Range Officer.
  31. Spectators at Purbeck Gun Club are expected to keep well to the rear of the Firing Point and must not approach the benches. Also keep well behind the elevated firing point banking at long range on M.O.D. Ranges.
  32. Coaching during Matches of all kinds will at the sole discretion of the Range Officer, only be allowed on a supervisory basis with Beginners only, to comply with Safety Standards.
  33. The names of the Members of the Range Committee during open or invitation Matches will be clearly published on the notice board as well as on the advance notices sent to applicant competitors which will also advertise the Match Rules. Competitors should be left in no doubt as to which rules govern the shoot.
  34. NO SMOKING is allowed in the indoor range.
  35. NO ALCOHOL is allowed in the range and Shooters are advised not to drink before shooting.
  36. EAR PROTECTORS must be worn at all times when shooting.
  37. Make sure you know where the nearest phone is situated for any emergency.
  38. All Visitors will sign the Visitors Book on guest days only
  39. Visitors who are not known and who have not been introduced by a Member will be asked for identification. They will only be allowed to shoot under strict supervision Rule 11 will then apply should they wish to join the club on guest days only.
  40. The Club encourages Youth Groups to visit and receive instruction.