Please read and adopt the following practices. Too lazy, don’t have time, or think you know it all? Learning just one of these tips might save your life … a limb or organ … weeks in a hospital … months of agonizing pain … big bucks in medical and legal bills … a jail stint … forfeiture of gun rights ... your reputation and self-respect.
Fundamental Safety Rules:
- Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, i.e., never at any person, animal or object you're not willing to kill, injure, destroy or damage!
- Always keep your finger off the trigger (outside trigger guard) until you have proper aim and are otherwise ready to shoot! Do not press the trigger unless and until you intend to fire!
- Always know your target, including what's beyond and nearby!
- Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use!
- Know how to use the gun safely, and be sure the gun is safe to operate!
- Use only correct ammunition for the gun!
- Always maintain firm control of your gun, including during recoil!
- Store guns so they are inaccessible to unauthorized persons!
- Never use alcohol or drugs while handling, shooting, carrying or transporting firearms!
Before going to the range, check to be sure you have all needed gear (i.e., gun, permit, ammo, magazines, eye & ear protection, targets, speedloader). Inspect guns to be sure they’re lubricated and in good working order. Preload magazines to save time at the range.
Wear proper clothing: flat shoes with sturdy soles for solid footing (no flip-flops or high heels); closed-top shirt to protect neck and chest from casings; cap with visor to protect head and face from ejected casings.
When traveling to and from the range, know and obey all laws pertaining to transporting firearms.
Carefully read, understand, remember, and obey all range rules! Many ranges post the rules on their websites; review them before your visit.
Observe the range before entering to avoid any potentially unsafe activity or condition. Take notice of all exits and possible places of cover. Have an escape/defense plan already in mind should an emergency arise.
A gun range is an inherently dangerous venue. Shooters (and others) should always maintain a serious demeanor and responsible conduct. Your undivided attention should be upon safety and proficient shooting. Remain vigilant for hazardous behavior or conditions nearby and throughout the range. Immediately report any concerns to range personnel. Promptly and fully obey instructions of safety officers or other range personnel.
Wear reliable eye and ear protection -- preferably glasses ANSI Z87.1 and/or MIL-PRF 32432 compliant; hearing >/= 26 Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).
Keep guns cased until inside your booth; no uncased guns outside your booth.
Stay
behind the bench or firing line (except during a Range Safety Officer authorized
cease-fire and downrange is clear).
Always keep the gun
pointed downrange, including while benched or reloading.
No rapid-firing unless expressly permitted by range.
No holster drawing unless expressly permitted by range.
Shoot at your targets only – not others’ targets, the floor, walls, ceiling, fixtures, carriers, hardware, etc. Don’t aim your gun, laser or tactical lights anywhere other than your target.
It's smart to request an end lane whenever available. It lessens your exposure and vulnerability.
Don’t touch other shooters’ guns, ammo, supplies, etc., without permission.
Keep unnecessary talking to a minimum. Don’t use profanities, insults, or other antagonistic speech.
Don’t post targets or wear apparel that may offend other shooters.
Before speaking to another shooter, wait for a pause in their shooting (i.e., magazine change or reloading) and approach them cautiously and non-threateningly.
Cell/smart phone talking, photos, and videotaping are discouraged. Your undivided attention should be on safety, good gun handling, and marksmanship. Respect the privacy and anonymity of other shooters.
Most ranges ban beverages, food, and tobacco.
Check your ego at the door. Pomposity and braggadocio are marks of an amateur. Really good gun-handlers are quiet and humble. (Like “Hickok45” on YouTube.)
Unless children fully understand gun safety, functionality, and range rules, they don’t belong at a range.
Familiarize yourself with booth lighting and target control apparatus.
It’s best to keep your supplies neat and orderly on the shooting bench, and cartridges in their boxes (loose ones can easily roll off the bench).
Safe footing is important. Keep supplies (targets, pistol
cases, range bag, etc.) away from feet and occasionally sweep casings from your
booth floor to the designated areas/receptacles. Ranges usually prefer the
casings be swept forward of the bench/firing line. Sweep only your casings
(other shooters may intend to reload theirs).
Keep your range bag and supplies away from other occupied lanes.
Before setting a loaded gun on the bench, it’s prudent to engage
the safety or decocker (if equipped).
It’s advisable to use only one gun at a time. Keep other guns, corresponding
magazines and ammo in your range bag until ready to be used.
If something falls off your bench and lands forward of the booth/firing line, do not retrieve it. Ask range personnel for assistance.
If you and another shooter want to try one another’s guns, first unload and carefully check guns to be sure they’re unloaded. Then either: 1) leave guns benched and pointed downrange in their original lanes while shooters trade places, or 2) unload and case the guns before exchanging them.
In the event of a malfunction you’re unable to safely fix, promptly bench the gun with muzzle pointed downrange and inform range personnel.
If you want to take a brief intermission (restroom, buy ammo or targets, etc.): remove the magazine, eject any chambered cartridge, lock the slide back so action is open, check and recheck to be sure gun is clear, bench the gun with muzzle pointing downrange and ejection port facing up. As a further precaution, ask a trusted nearby shooter to watch your gear.
Once in a great while an ejected casing may hit, burn, singe and even stick to your skin. It can sting. Your instant, reflex reaction will probably be to look at and touch or swipe the affected area. Don’t … remember that you’re holding a gun! Instead, remain calm. Take your finger off and away from the trigger, engage the decocker or safety if equipped, and bench the gun with muzzle pointed down-range. Now you can safely brush away the casing and inspect the affected skin. Very seldom is there any serious burn or scarring. If needed, apply some cold water to the site and ask range personnel for disinfectant, salve, etc.
Don’t linger beyond your allowed shooting time. You wouldn’t want previous shooters to dawdle when you’re waiting for a lane.
Before finally exiting the booth, clean off the bench and sweep up within and around your lane. Properly dispose of your casings, used targets, empty ammo boxes, etc.
When leaving the range, notify the range manager that you’ve vacated the lane. Be sure to have any ID (driver’s license, gun card, etc.) and deposit returned to you.
Thoroughly rinse hands, wrists, and face with cleansing solution (e.g., “D-Lead”) to remove lead and other heavy metal contamination.
Be alert while entering and exiting a range/gun store,
including the parking lot. Someone carrying a range bag might pose a tempting
target for criminals looking to steal a gun.
Legal Disclaimer/Hold Harmless: The information and recommendations contained herein are provided "as is," and without warranty of any kind. The author disavows any responsibility or liability for accuracy, timeliness, completeness, legality or reliability. He shall not be responsible for any injury, liability, loss, or damage of whatever nature or degree which may result from its use.
Originally published July 26, 2013; rev. 9/7/24
