Safety Rules

The Three Fundamentals of Safe Gun Handling

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
   On  the  firing range this means the gun must  always  be
   kept pointed downrange.
2. Always assume the gun is LOADED
   Keep  your gun unloaded with the action open until  ready
   to  use.  Immediately check whether a gun is loaded  when
   you pick it up (even if you were the one to put it down).
3.  Always  keep  your finger off the trigger  until  you're
ready to shoot.
   You  must  overcome  the natural tendency  to  rest  your
   finger  on  the  trigger.   Actively  place  your  finger
   securely outside of the trigger guard and along the frame
   of the gun.

Operation Safety

4.  If you aren't sure how to use it, then HANDS OFF!   Find
someone who does.
   Know how the gun operates and how to use it safely
5. Be sure the gun is safe to operate
6. Use only the correct ammunition for the gun.
7. Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting

Range Safety

8. Know your target and what is beyond it
9. Wear eye and ear protection
10.  Never fire or handle your firearm when there is someone
downrange  unless  it  is  "cleared"  and  checked   by   an
Experienced member.
   You  should never handle ammunition and a firearm at  the
   same time when someone is downrange.
   Your gun should preferably be unloaded, action open,  and
   on the bench
11.  Never cross the firing line or go downrange while  fire
is in progress or while anyone is handling a firearm.
12.  All shooters must shoot from the firing line.
   Firing  in  front of the line violates rules  #11,  while
   firing  from too far behind it puts those on the line  in
   danger
13. Obey the rules of the range:

   If  a  "Range  Officer"  is present  you  must  obey  his
   commands:
   
   Commence Fire: you may begin firing when ready
   
   Cease  Fire:  Stop shooting IMMEDIATELY.   Keep  the  gun
   pointed in a safe direction while keeping your finger off
   of  the trigger.  The Cease Fire may be followed by  such
   commands as unload, actions open, guns on the bench.  The
   "Cease  Fire"  command is not restricted to  use  by  the
   range officer, but should be used by anyone observing  an
   unsafe situation.
   
   If   there  is  no  range  officer  present  it  is   the
   responsibility of you and the other shooters to call  the
   range commands and make sure that everyone knows they are
   in effect.
   
   If  you  wish  to start firing, you must ask  all  people
   present  whether  it  is "Clear to Fire"  and  obtain  an
   affirmative response from each one.
   
   If  you  wish to go downrange for any reason you ask  all
   shooters present for a "cease fire" and then ensure  from
   all shooters present that it is "Clear to go downrange"

The Final rule of gun safety
14.   Be  aware  that  circumstances may require  additional
rules unique to a particular situation.
SAE 2/23/94