safety

Safety is the most important aspect of our activities.

To ensure safety we all need to think actively about safety at all times. You will be given a copy of the clubs 'Safety Manual' and are asked to familiarise yourself with it. Because it is all too easy for a person to fire a firearm accidentally or in the wrong direction it is of paramount importance that everyone taking part in this sport keeps the need to act safely in the forefront of their minds. Safety must become a natural habit.

Proving means examining a firearm to ensure it is unloaded, not only to your satisfaction, but also to that of the Range Officer and other people.

Safety in the Clubhouse (or off the range)

Always prove a firearm whenever it is handed from one person to another.
Always prove a firearm when taking it from its box, case or locker.
Always carry firearms with the action open.
Keep firearms and ammunition separately.
Never handle any firearm without the permission of its owner, and only then when the range is clear.
When dry-firing an unloaded firearm, always point it at something safe.
Never load a firearm or a magazine except on the range at the firing point, after the command to load has been given by the Range Officer.
Never point a firearm at anyone, even in fun!
Only point it in the direction in which it is meant to shoot, i.e. at the target.

Safety on the Range

Always listen to the instructions of the Range Officer.
Do not handle firearms while people are forward of the firing point.
Do not load firearm until told to do so by the Range Officer.
Unload immediately when told to do so.
When the firearm is loaded always keep it pointing down the range.
After firing prove the firearm and ensure magazines are empty.
If you have to leave the firing point, or there is a disturbance, UNLOAD
If someone has to go forward of the firing point after the command load,the range officer will instruct you to UNLOAD, put firearm down, and stand back from the firing point.
Safety is only achieved by constant vigilance.