ARTICLES & INFORMATION

Basic Range Etiquette

by NRABlog Staff - Thursday, August 27, 2015

Gun Safety Rules

Commonly Used Shooting Range Commands

1. Follow the three fundamental rules for safe gun handling

ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

2. Bring safety gear
Eye and Ear protection are MANDATORY for proper safety and health, no matter if “required” by range rules or not. It is the shooter’s responsibility to ensure proper protection is secured and used prior to entering/using any range. Hearing loss can be instantaneous and permanent in some cases. Eyesight can be ruined in an instant with a catastrophic firearm failure.

3. Carry a bag/case
Common courtesy and general good behavior dictates that you bring all firearms to a range unloaded and cased and/or covered. No range staff appreciates a stranger walking into a range with a “naked” firearm whose loaded/unloaded condition is not known. You can buy a long gun sock or pistol case for less than $10.

4. Know your range's rules
Review and understand any and all “range specific” rules/requirements/expectations set forth by your range. What's the range's maximum rate of fire? Are you allowed to collect your brass? Are you required to take a test before you can shoot? Don't be afraid to ask the staff questions or tell them it's your first time. They're there to help.

5. Follow ALL Range Officer instructions
Range Officers are the first and often only authority on any range; their decisions are generally final and made to ensure safety or to protect range assets. Arguing/debating with a Range Officer is both in poor taste and may just get you thrown out depending on circumstances.

6. Don’t bother others/touch their guns
Respect other shooters’ privacy unless a safety issue arises. Do NOT engage other shooters to correct a perceived safety violation unless absolutely necessary – inform the RO instead. Shooters have the right and responsibility to call for a cease fire should a SERIOUS safety event occur. Handling/touching another shooter’s firearm without their permission is a major breech of protocol. Offering unsolicited “training” or other instructional suggestions to other shooters is also impolite.

7. Know what to do in a cease fire
IMMEDIATELY set down your firearm, pointed downrange, and STEP AWAY from the shooting booth. The Range Officer(s) on duty will give instructions from that point and/or secure all firearms prior to going downrange if needed. ROs do not want shooters trying to “secure/unload” their firearms in a cease fire situation, possibly in a stressful event; they want the shooters separated from their guns instantly so that they can then control the situation as they see fit.

8. Clean up after yourself
Remember to take down your old targets, police your shooting booth, throw away your trash, and return any equipment/chairs/tables, etc. Other people use the range too and no one wants to walk up to a dirty lane.

Follow these rules and get out there and have some fun!

1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Whether you own a GUN for self defense, home defense or for the sport of it, you want to be constantly practicing to improve your skills and become a better shot. Your ability to hit your target may just save your life. If you find yourself defending your life with a gun, aiming should be a higher priority than shooting and practice is the key!

Here are commonly used commands to become familiar with before you visit a local gun range.

Load your firearm – After checking that the range is clear, only the manager can give the command to load rounds. Prior to this command, every gun on the range should be unloaded. Make sure you do not fire your gun during this time.
Commence/Start fire – This is the only command that will allow you to fire your gun. Your firearm must be pointed towards the target.

Cease-fire – When this command is given, immediately put down your gun. This command can be given by anyone on the range, not just the range commander. Any unsafe or potentially unsafe condition is cause for someone to call for a cease-fire. This command will also be given when targets need to be changed. Do not touch your firearm until the next command is given.
Unload weapon – After a cease-fire, everyone will be given the chance to unload their gun. It is only appropriate to remove rounds from your gun at this time. Do not fire your weapon. After unloading, make sure to turn on your safety.
Enter range – If you need to change targets or take a break, this is the time to do so.
Range clear – After everyone has exited the range, the commander will call “range clear” in order to make sure there are no people or obstructions in the way before allowing everyone to start shooting.
Range is hot- Shooting can now begin. Everyone should have their eyes and ears on.
Range is cold- Shooting has stopped you may remove your eyes and ears all weapons are cleared.

If you are a true first-time shooter, or a beginner to guns, you may want to consider taking our gun training class before you shoot at a local range. Our classes will give you a better understanding of your firearm, firearm safety, and simultaneously offer you the knowledge of common range commands. Here are some of the range commands you may hear in our class setting:

Load and make ready
Commence firing
Cease-fire
Empty and show clear

The Range Safety Officer (RSO) may command a cease-fire to address a safety concern; otherwise, people are constantly shooting.

It is important for any shooter to become familiar with these commands. Please note that the listed names of the commands above are merely representative of commands you may encounter when at a range.