Safety Rules for Air Rifle Shooting Ranges

Safety Rules for Air Rifle Shooting Ranges

• The most important rules to follow in any range or

target shooting activity are safety rules.

• This applies equally for air rifles as well as for any

type of firearm.

• There are basic safety rules that must be followed at

all shooting ranges by all shooters. Instructors and

range officers will strictly enforce these rules.

Obeying Commands & Instructions

A JROTC Instructor or Range Officer will be in charge of all range firing activities. I will listen to and immediately obey all commands and instructions given by the Instructor or Range Officer.

Muzzle

Whenever I handle an air rifle, or guns of any kind, I will always maintain control of the muzzle so that it points in a safe direction. I will take special care to be sure I never point the muzzle at another person or myself.

MUZZLE. Always keep rifle muzzles pointed in a

safe direction. Rifle muzzles should never be

pointed at other persons under any circumstances.

On a range, the safest directions to point a rifle

muzzle are usually up or downrange towards the

target.

When I pick up or receive an air rifle from someone else, the first thing I must do is:

a. Engage the safety b. Release the trigger c. Open the action/bolt d. Control the muzzle (point it in a safe direction)

Action

Whenever I handle an air rifle, or guns of any kind, I will immediately open the gun action (bolt or operating mechanism), or visually check to be sure the action is open and a CBI is inserted. I will remove the CBI and close a gun action only when I am on the firing line of a range and am authorized to do so by the Range Officer or Instructor.

RIFLE ACTION. Always keep rifle actions open except when the rifle is on the firing

line and the command to LOAD has been given. When shooting is finished or the rifle

is placed down for a break, the action must be open and unloaded, even when the rifle

is on the firing line. The rifle action may be closed when it is placed in a gun case or

arms room, but the action must be opened when it is removed from the case or

storage.

After I pick up or receive a gun and have made sure the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction, the second thing that I must do to make sure it is safe is:

a. Check the action/bolt to be sure it is open and has a CBI inserted b. Dry fire the gun to see if it works c. Give the gun to an adult d. Take it to the range

Trigger Whenever I handle guns, I will do so without placing my finger on the trigger. I will place my finger on the trigger only when I am on the firing line, after I have placed my air rifle in a firing position and have begun to aim at the target.

TRIGGER. Keep your finger off of the trigger until

after placing the rifle in the shooting position and

preparing to fire a shot. It is especially important to

keep the finger outside of the trigger guard when

loading the rifle and placing it in the shooting

position.

The proper time to place the index finger on the trigger is:

a. After I start to aim at my target. b. After loading the rifle c. When I start to put the rifle in position on my shoulder d. Whenever it feels right

Range Commands I understand what the range commands LOAD, START, STOP and UNLOAD mean. I will respond properly to those commands whenever they are given.

RANGE OFFICER. A range officer or designated person is in charge

of firing at every range. The commands and instructions of the range

officer or person in charge of firing must be obeyed.

Range officers must check rifles brought to the range to be sure

actions are open and unloaded.

When shooting is finished, range officers must check rifles to be sure

actions are open and unloaded.

Safe Loading

I will charge and load my air rifle only when I am on a designated firing point and have been given instructions or commands to do so. When I cock and load my air rifle I will take special care to keep the muzzle pointed up or downrange towards the targets.

The safest and correct way to load a pneumatic air rifle is open the action, charge air, then insert a pellet.

The safest and correct way to load a pneumatic air rifle is:

a. Open the action, charge air, then insert a pellet b. Open the action, insert a pellet, then charge air c. Whichever way works for me d. Charge air, open the action, then insert a pellet

Target

When I am firing on a range, I will fire only at my designated targets. I will not fire at anyone else’s target or at any other objects on the range.

TARGET. Shoot only at the target designated for

you. Be sure the target is properly placed in front of

a safe backstop. Shooting at any object on a range

besides your own target is strictly forbidden.

On target ranges, the safest direction to point a gun muzzle is downrange or up towards the ceiling.

T or F

Malfunction

If, when I am on the firing line attempting to load or fire my air rifle, my air rifle fails to fire or malfunctions, I will remain in position, keep the muzzle pointed downrange and raise my hand so the Range Officer can see it. I will wait for the Range Officer to give me instructions or help clear the malfunction.

When my air rifle malfunctions (fails to fire), I must:

a. Keep the muzzle pointed downrange b. Raise my hand so the Range Officer can see it c. Wait for instructions from the Range Officer d. All of the above

Loaded Rifle after Firing

If I still have a loaded rifle (pellet in barrel) after the Range Officer gives the command stop I must remain in position and keep my air rifle muzzle pointed downrange, raise my hand for range officer, Follow range officer instructions.

If I still have a loaded rifle (pellet in barrel) after the Range Officer gives the command STOP, I must:

a. Remain in position and keep my air rifle muzzle pointed downrange b. Raise my hand so the Range Officer can see it c. Follow the Range Officer’s instructions d. All of the above

Firing Completed Whenever I have fired my last shot in a firing

exercise, I will immediately:

Open the action on my air rifle, Ground the rifle Insert a CBI in it so the Range Officer can check

it. An air rifle is considered “unloaded” if:

a. Its action is open b. The firer is done shooting c. The action is open, there is no pellet in the

barrel and a CBI is inserted d. The muzzle is pointed in a safe direction

Loaded Air Rifle

If I have a loaded air rifle after the command STOP is given, or even if I think there may still be a pellet in my rifle,

I will keep the muzzle pointed downrange,

raise my hand so the Range Officer can see it and announce “Loaded Rifle.”

I will wait for the Range Officer to give instructions for unloading the rifle.

Going Downrange

I understand that whenever anyone must go downrange to hang targets or for any other reason,

That all air rifles must be unloaded,

Grounded with CBIs inserted and checked.

I may not handle my air rifle while anyone is forward of the firing line

Before anyone can go downrange to change targets or for any other purpose:

a. Everyone must open their rifle actions and point their rifle muzzles up b. No one can go downrange until guns are placed in safe storage c. All air rifles must be unloaded, grounded with CBIs inserted and checked d. All firers must finish firing

Hygiene

I will protect my health by not bringing food or open drink containers to the range. I will always wash my hands immediately after I finish firing on the range.

Everyone who handles air rifle pellets should wash their hands immediately after they leave the range.

T or F

I Am A Safety Officer Too

I am also responsible for making sure everyone around me handles guns safely. If I observe someone:

Pointing a gun muzzle at another person, Handling a gun with a closed action or Handling a gun with their finger on the trigger,

I will immediately advise or assist that person to safely control the muzzle, open the action or take their finger off of the trigger.

If I am with someone else who is handling a gun behind the firing line with the action closed, I should:

a. Wait for an adult to show up b. Mind my own business and hope nothing bad happens c. Tell that person to put the gun away d. Ask that person to open the action of the gun immediately

Self-Discipline and Focus

I recognize that gun safety is possible only if I and my fellow cadets apply the self-discipline and focus to continually think safety every time we handle guns or shoot on the range.

The most important component of rifle safety is:

a. The trigger b. The action c. The muzzle d. The person holding the rifle

Safety Goal

The safety goal for our JROTC unit is zero accidents.

Safety rules are not as important in being safe with air guns because air rifles are not very powerful.

T or F

M-A-T

The primary gun parts, the muzzle (M), action (A) and trigger (T), are the keys to leaning the rules for safe gun handling. Everyone must know these gun parts, whether they ever do any target shooting or not.

3. Trigger 2. Action 1. Muzzle

The “Rules for Safe Gun Handling” apply only to air rifle shooting and not to other types of guns.

T or F

LOAD OK to charge gasmechanism OK to insert pellet OK to close actionNot OK to shoot

START OK to begin firing OK to continue firing When last shot is fired—open action,insert CBI, ground rifle

Basic Range Commands

The command LOAD means:a. I can load my air rifle and start shooting b. It may occasionally be violated if accidents do not occur c. I can charge (pump or cock) my air rifle and load a pellet in it d. I can start getting ready to shoot

No one is authorized to fire a shot until the command START is given, even if the command LOAD has already been given

T or F

When I am shooting after the commands to LOAD and START have been given, it’s OK to lay a loaded air rifle on my shooting mat or bench and step away from the firing line.

T or F

STOP Immediately stop attempting tofire shot (finger off trigger!) Firing no longer authorized

UNLOAD Open action and ground rifle Notify RO if rifle remains loaded RO must confirm unloadedcondition--RO assistance isrequired to unload loaded rifles

Basic Range Commands

The command STOP means:

a. Complete the shot I am attempting to fire b. Quickly complete the shot I am attempting to fire c. Immediately take my finger off the trigger and do not fire any more shots d. Tell the Range Officer I am not done

An air rifle is considered “unloaded” if:

a. Its action is open b. The firer is done shooting c. The action is open, there is no pellet in the barrel and a CBI is inserted d. The muzzle is pointed in a safe direction

Clear Barrel Indicators or

CBIs are used to demonstrate

that air rifles are not loaded

with a pellet and that their

actions are open. CBIs are

made from bright-colored

monofilament line. CBIs are

inserted in air rifle barrels from

the breech (action) end of the

barrel and extend out both

ends of the barrel.

When I finish firing my shots on a target, I should lay my rifle down, but I don’t have to open the action or insert a CBI until the Range Officer tells me to do that.

T or F

Gather Phase

(U7C1L3:F2)

What part of a target rifle is shown in this image?

A) front sight

B) kneeling roll

C) sling swivel

D) butt plate

Inquire Phase

Inquire Phase

QUESTIONS?