Blue and Gray Rifle and Pistol Club (BGRPC), Inc
Huntsville, AL
Range Rules and Procedures for the Marshall County BGRPC, Inc. Shooting Range
This document was created specifically for the Blue and Gray Rifle and Pistol Club Inc. shooting range located adjacent to the TVA Guntersville Dam in Marshall County Alabama. It was approved by a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors on November 17, 2020. The latest revision of these rules and procedures is available at www.bgrpc.org as a downloadable and searchable pdf.
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Table of Contents
Title
General and Revision History
Col. Cooper’s 4 (+1) Rules of Firearms
Safety Before you go to the range
Range Descriptions
Arriving at the range
Transporting firearms at the range
Targets
Making the range COLD
Making the range HOT
Firing
Leaving the range
Guests
Penalties for Violations of Rules and Procedures
Misc
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1. General
NO MUZZLE SWEEPING
WHEN THE RANGE IS COLD, MAKE CERTAIN ALL FIREARMS MEET RULE +1 ON PAGE 5, STEP BACK AND AWAY FROM YOUR FIRING POSITION AND DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FIREARM FOR ANY REASON
Muzzle sweeping is defined as allowing the muzzle of your firearm to pass across or to be pointed at any portion of any living human being at anytime. NO MUZZLE SWEEPING.
When the range is COLD, you may not adjust your sights, clean your firearm or repair your firearm. You may not transport your firearm to a different firing position or to and from your vehicle. WHEN THE RANGE IS COLD, MAKE CERTAIN ALL FIREARMS MEET RULE +1 ON PAGE 5, STEP BACK AND AWAY FROM YOUR FIRING POSITION AND DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FIREARM FOR ANY REASON
As a member or guest, you are responsible for following all the rules and procedures contained within this document but, memorizing and following the 2 rules above will contribute more to ensure that everyone goes home alive and free of firearm wounds.
The BGRPC Marshall County range has no full time, designated, on-site Range Safety Officers (RSOs) and therefore requires the collective participation of all shooters present at the range for safe operation. Many members may not be familiar with the specifics of the safe operation of a shooting range. This requires that all members must be cooperative, courteous and polite in operating the range safely.
In the event that a member may witness a violation, everyone should work in a friendly and polite manner to ensure range safety. All parties involved are encouraged to remain calm and polite whenever addressing rule or procedure violations. If necessary, contact a Club officer or a member of the Board of Directors regarding violations.
Matches, clinics and other activities may have different match/activity specific rules and procedures than those contained in this document. Contact the Match/Activity Director for their rules and procedures. All matches, clinics and other activities must be approved by the Board of Directors and must be under the supervision of a Range Safety Officer. The entire range will be closed during these events.
All applicable local, state and national firearms laws shall be observed by all members and guests while at the range. This includes, but is not limited to, the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA), all applicable ATF regulations and the 1968 Gun Control Act (GCA).
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Revision History
The Blue and Gray Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc., reserves the right from time to time to amend, alter or repeal each and every provision contained in this Range Rules and Procedures document, or to add one or more additional rules or procedures, upon a majority vote of a quorum of the Board of Directors in office.
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2. Col. Cooper’s 4 (+1) Rules of Firearms Safety
1. All firearms are, by default, considered as always loaded.
2. No muzzle sweeping and never allow your muzzle to point at anything you are not willing to destroy.
Muzzle sweeping is defined as allowing the muzzle of your firearm to pass across any portion of any human body at anytime . Muzzle sweeping will not be tolerated.
Muzzles must always be pointed in the safest direction. The safest directions at the range are defined as (1) muzzles straight downrange forming a horizontal 90 degree angle to the firing line when you are behind the firing line at benches and firing positions and (2) anywhere else at the range, muzzles must be straight up and above your head with the barrel forming a 90 degree vertical angle with the ground.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sight(s) are aligned on your target and you are ready to fire.
4. Be certain of your target and what is in front of it and beyond it.
All bullets fired on the range must stay within the confines of the range and must be captured by the appropriate range retaining berm after striking your target.
+1. Until you are ready to fire at your target, all firearms must remain with actions open, ECIs (Empty Chamber Indicators) inserted into the chamber, safeties on, no detachable magazines are inserted, fixed magazines are empty, muzzles pointed in the safest directions as defined in Rule 2 above and placed only on a bench or firing position behind the firing line or in one of the Club provided firearm racks.
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3. Before you go to the range
3.1 The range is open for member use from | hour after sunrise to 1 hour before sunset every day except during scheduled events, matches and work party days.
3.2 Verify all firearms have the actions open, ECIs inserted, safeties on, no detachable magazines inserted and fixed magazines are empty before you pack them into your vehicle.
3.3 Be certain your firearms are mechanically safe to operate and the barrel is clean and free of obstructions.
3.4 Know how to use and operate your firearm(s) safely.
3.5 Verify you bring the correct ammunition for your firearm(s).
3.6 Make certain you bring eye and ear protection for you and your guests to wear while at the range.
3.7 Be sure you have your Membership Card or Club issued Badges for you and your guests as they must be worn or displayed while at the range.
4. Range Descriptions
4.1 The range was designed with fixed position target frames, fixed position firing lines and range yardage specific berms for bullet retention. Refer to Section 7 for target and ammunition restrictions.
4.2 200 Yard Range
Center fire and rimfire rifles only.
4.3 100 Yard Range
Center fire and rimfire rifles only
4.4 25 and 50 Yard Range
Center fire and rimfire rifles and pistols are allowed
4.5 7 Yard Pistol Range
Pistol caliber Handguns only
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5. Arriving at the range
5.1 Unlock the gate with the combination on the back of the current year membership card. After entering, you may either lock the gate behind you or leave the gate open with the lock secured on the gate. In either case, make certain the lock does not display the combination. Never share this combination with anyone other than a verified club member.
5.2 Park at your chosen range parking area without blocking the line of sight between range benches or firing positions.
5.3 The Club strongly advises that you put on your eye and ear protection before you exit your vehicle.
5.4 Be certain to display the required membership card or badge while you and your guests are at the range.
5.5 No one is allowed to carry a pistol or other firearm on their person anywhere on the range at anytime. Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis and only by a Member of the Board of Directors.
5.6 The possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol under any circumstances is prohibited on the range.
6. Transporting firearms at the range
6.1 Always wait for the range to be HOT before transporting firearms to and from benches or firing positions or to and from vehicles. Never transport any firearm anywhere at the range when the range is COLD.
6.2 Verify all your firearms are in compliance with +1 Rule (p.4), actions open, ECIs inserted etc.
6.3 Carefully transition the muzzle so it is pointing straight up at 90 degrees to the ground with no muzzle sweeping. You may now transport your firearms, one at a time.
6.4 When transporting firearms from vehicles to the firing line or from one range to another, upon reaching your chosen bench or firing position, face straight downrange and carefully transition your firearm from muzzle straight up, to muzzle pointing straight down range with no muzzle sweeping. Place your firearm so that it is resting flat on the bench or on the ground at your firing position with the muzzle pointing straight downrange.
6.5 When transporting firearms back to your vehicle, make certain your firearms comply with the (+1) requirements on page 5 and transport only when the range is HOT. Upon arriving at your vehicle, carefully transition your firearm from muzzle straight up to a safe direction in your vehicle with no muzzle sweeping.
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7. Targets Paper Targets
7.1 Fire at paper targets placed only on the appropriate Club provided target backers and hung only from the backer frames for the appropriate range and bench or firing position you are using.
7.2 Target backers for paper targets can be found in the Target Shed located in the parking area behind the firing line. The 2’x4’ rectangle backers are for use only on the 25 yard range. The 4’x4’ Square backers can be used for all other ranges. Backers for the 200 yard range can also be found in the small metal shed behind the 100 yard berm.
7.3 Paper targets should not be stapled on the backers in such a manner that the wood frame of the backer could be damaged. Targets should be mounted so that shots go through the center area of the target backer and into the appropriate berm.
7.4 Intentional shooting of the downrange frames or the frames of target backers is prohibited.
Steel Targets
7.5 Steel targets are allowed only at the specific club provided locations marked for steel target use at the 50, 100 and 200 yard ranges. STEEL TARGETS ARE PROHIBITED ON THE 25 AND 7 YARD RANGES. The frames used to hang steel targets are located on the range berms and are not part of the frame structure used for paper targets. Only AR 500, AR 550 and rimfire rated steel targets are allowed. The target surface must be smooth, flat and free of surface pits and deformities. Rimfire rated targets are allowed only for use with rimfire ammunition.
7.6 Ammunition designed to penetrate armor is prohibited for steel targets on any of the ranges.
7.7 All magnum rifle and magnum pistol ammunition is prohibited for use on any steel target.
100 and 200 yard range ammunition restrictions for steel targets
7.8 Subsonic center fired rifle ammunition (less than 1150 feet per second (fps)) is allowed. Center fired rifle ammunition that is not subsonic must meet one of the following parameters:
A. Bullets must be less than 78 grains and have a maximum muzzle velocity of 3300 fps.
B. Bullets must from 78 to 175 grains and have a maximum muzzle velocity of 2800 fps.
50 yard range ammunition restrictions for steel targets
7.10 At the 50 yard range, most pistol caliber and rimfire ammunition is allowed. However, magnum pistol ammunition is prohibited. Center fired rifle ammunition that is not subsonic is also prohibited.
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8. Making the range COLD
Before anyone can proceed downrange to post, retrieve or repair targets, the procedures listed below must be executed in the order listed:
8.1 Make certain all your firearms are in compliance with the +1 rule on page 4.
8.2 Have any targets you may wish to post stapled to the appropriate target backer, and ready to hang on the range appropriate frame. If using steel targets, make certain they are ready to hang at the designated frames as well.
8.3 Wait patiently for a time that is convenient for all shooters for the range to go COLD.
8.4 Identify the leftmost shooter on the entire range when you are facing downrange. That person controls when the range is COLD or HOT.
8.5 Make verbal and eye contact with the leftmost shooter and shout for all to hear “Request range go COLD”.
8.6 All shooters must now make certain their firearms have actions open, ECIs in the chamber, no detachable magazines inserted, fixed magazines are empty, safeties on, muzzles pointed downrange and, additionally, stand up and back away from benches or firing positions.
8.7 All shooters shall then individually shout for all to hear “Ready to go COLD”.
8.8 The leftmost shooter will verify the range is ready to go COLD and will shout for all to hear “The range is COLD”. You may now travel downrange.
8.9 Do not touch any firearm for any reason while the range is COLD. All firearm repairs, cleaning and adjustments as well as moving firearms from one range to another shall be made only when the range is HOT.
NOTE: Be aware of the warning flag that can be posted at the 200 yd bench. It is used to indicate that shooters are downrange at the 200 yard range and the range remains COLD when flag is posted.
9. Making the range HOT
Under no circumstances will firing be allowed without the range being declared HOT using the following the procedures below in the order listed:
9.1 After visually verifying that no persons are downrange and all are behind the firing line, the leftmost shooter will shout for all to hear “Is the range ready to go HOT?”
9.2 All shooters shall now also confirm that no persons are downrange and all are behind the firing line as well and while facing the leftmost shooter will individually shout for all to hear “Range is ready to go HOT”.
9.3 The leftmost shooter will now declare the range is HOT by shouting for all to hear “The range is HOT” firing may now commence
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10. Firing
10.1 Fire only from a shooting bench or firing position after the range has been declared HOT. Your muzzle must be positioned directly over the firing line and your sight(s) must be aligned on your target before firing. Any firing without the use of your sight(s), as in firing from the hip, is prohibited.
10.2 Rapid fire of any kind from any firearm that damages club property or that results in bullets that are not captured by the range specific impact berms is not allowed. Therefore, firearms with fully automatic fire capability or burst mode firing and firearms that simulate automatic fire such as binary/echo triggers are prohibited.
10.3 Drawing and firing a firearm from a holster is not allowed.
10.4 Dry firing is allowed only when the range is HOT from a bench or firing position at the firing line and with your firearm sight(s) aligned with your target downrange.
10.5 Firearms may never be discharged from a position in front of the firing line.
10.6 Shotguns and shotshell ammunition are not allowed on the range due to TVA mandated maximum lead levels at the Marshall County range.
10.7 Any round designed to deliver a jacketed bullet weighting over 300 grains with a muzzle velocity of 2900 fps or greater is prohibited.
10.8 Tracer bullets, armor piercing bullets, flechette ammunition, and exploding rounds or targets are prohibited.
11. Leaving the range
11.1 Be certain all your firearms comply with the +1 Rule on page 5.
11.2 Make certain that the range is HOT before you transport your firearms to your vehicle.
11.3 With your firearm lying flat on your bench or firing position and pointing straight downrange at 90 degrees to the firing line, carefully transition to muzzle straight up 90 degrees to the ground without muzzle sweeping. You may now transport your firearms to your vehicle, one at a time.
11.4 Return all target backers and bench seats to the range shed.
11.5 Shooters are responsible for collecting and properly disposing of all their fired shell casings.
11.6 Shooters are responsible for collecting and properly disposing of all of their trash.
11.7 After you have closed the range gate behind you, make certain it is locked and that the combination is not showing on the lock.
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12. Guests
12.1 Members may bring up to two (2) guests to the range during any one visit. Non-shooting guests are still guests and count toward the two (2) guest limit. Members are responsible for the actions of their guests.
12.2 Members must accompany their guests at all times and are not to shoot while their guest is shooting. Only one guest may be shooting at a time. Members and their guest must share the same firing point or bench. Members have priority over guests of other members for shooting positions and benches.
13. Penalties for Violations of Rules and Procedures
Penalties for violation of range rules and procedures shall be the responsibility of the Range Violations Adjudication Committee (RVAC). This committee shall document the due process adjudication procedures and penalties in the Board of Directors approved document “RVAC Procedures and Penalties”. Penalties contained therein range from verbal or written warnings to fines or loss of club membership.
14. Misc
14.1 Members are responsible for supervising their children.
14.2 The willful destruction of any club property by is prohibited.
14.3 Vehicles may not be driven on any range, including grass firing line points, except for maintenance or as necessary during matches under the direction of an appointed RO. It is permissible to drive on the gravel road between the 100 yard and 200 yard ranges. The Club officers may approve exceptions for physically handicapped members.
14.4 Under no circumstances shall any member, non-member or guest offer fee based training or free training on Club property without prior written approval from the Board of Directors. A copy of the written approval must be available and in the procession of the approved individual when at the range.
14.5 No pets are allowed at the range.
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(Signature page of Range Rules and Procedures)
In testimony whereof, witness the hand and seal of the undersigned as of the 1 7 day of November,2020.
Blue and Gray Rifle and Pistol Club, Incorporated
Keith Perry
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
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