BULLET POINTS
INDOOR GUN RANGE ETIQUETTE
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By Scott High
very fall when the temperature starts to drop we start to do more things inside, and if you’ve been shooting outside at a controlled range, or at a safe place in the woods, you might want to go to an indoor range like the Bob Munden Indoor Range at Tennessee Gun Country to practice during the cold months. Every fall we like to bring up the subject of indoor shooting on our Bullet Points page and share some of the safety rules and etiquette that go along with it. We’ll go over the basic rules that apply to most indoor ranges, but where ever you go to shoot, always know the rules specific to that range and abide by them. The rules are there to keep everyone safe and make range time fun for all. These are basic general safety rules that apply at most indoor ranges but if you’ve been shooting in the woods all summer, it’s a good idea to review. Always keep your firearm pointed down range, even if it’s empty; if you bring your gun in a bag or case, turn the bag or case so that when you take the firearm out it’s pointing downrange. If you rent a firearm, make sure the slide is locked back or the cylinder open when you return it to the counter so everyone can see at a glance that it’s unloaded and safe. Never leave your gun unattended. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. These seem basic, but you may have developed bad habits if you haven’t been shooting inside or around other people. Keep your firearm unloaded until you are ready to shoot, and wear eye and ear protection anytime you are in the range facility. Keep your firearms unloaded and in a closed container or holster when entering or exiting the range facility. Never load or handle your firearm if you aren’t in your shooting lane. Shoot in your assigned lane and only shoot at the target in your lane. When you put your target on the hanger, hang it at eye level so you aren’t shooting up or down. Do not reach past the
firing line for any reason. If you drop your target or brass or anything at all, ask the range staff for help. Never hand a loaded firearm to another person. Clear the gun, make it safe and set it on the counter to let the other person pick it up, load it, and begin shooting.
Always check the policy at your range before shooting shotguns or rifles. Some allow rifles up to a certain caliber, and some allow shotguns with ammunition restrictions. Most ranges also have ammunition restrictions for all guns, steel core/green tip, incendiary, tracer, or armor piercing ammunition are usually not allowed. Most indoor ranges do not allow muzzleloader rifles of any kind. Never bring food, drinks or tobacco of ANY kind on the range. This will lessen the chance of ingesting lead residue. Always wash your hands immediately after shooting to remove any lead dust or primer residue. Leave your booth clean and uncluttered, and sweep up all of your brass and dump it into the bucket for spent brass. When leaving the range area for any reason, unload your firearm at the shooting position and case it. The call “CEASE FIRE” means to stop shooting immediately. Any shooter can call “CEASE FIRE” if they witness an unsafe act or there is a problem requiring all shooters to stop firing. Never allow unattended children on the range. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. If you are unable to clear a malfunction, leave the firearm in the booth and notify the range personnel. Never fire from the prone position. The angle will have you shooting at the baffles on the ceiling. Some ranges allow full auto firing with prior permission. As stated earlier, these are general rules, and each range has its own specific rules. Make sure you learn them before you enter the range. It makes shooting a safer and more enjoyable experience for all involved. Just because it’s getting colder doesn’t mean you have to stop practicing, so be safe and keep shooting.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Thunder Roads® Magazine Owners/Publishers. Any content provided by our authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
NOVEMBER 2021 ThunderRoadsTennessee.com
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